About Us
Our Mission
The Academy for the Arts at First Baptist Church of Asheville seeks to empower students of all ages and backgrounds in reaching their greatest potential both as artists and as human beings. Our highly-skilled teachers create an atmosphere of nurture and expectation in which students pursue excellence in their artistic crafts, developing mature and disciplined character. Believing that artistic inspiration and talents are gifts that need to be shared in order to be fully realized; we offer regular and exciting opportunities for individual and group performance.
​Our Core Values
Human Development: The arts are an essential expression of divine and human creativity; therefore, growth in artistic ability expands a person’s capacity to experience the sacred dimensions of life, to discover more of one’s own talents and skills, and to give gifts of beauty and meaning to the world. As other opportunities for learning artistic crafts diminish or disappear, we offer our community the resources and experiences which will cause both the arts and persons to thrive.
Community: The arts have a nearly-unique power to connect people across differences and diversities of every kind. The experiences of learning, performing, and enjoying artistic crafts offer people the opportunity to know, to encourage, and to value one another on the common ground of aesthetic excellence. We offer such common ground to our community.
Church as “Patron” of the Arts: Historically, the church and other faith-communities have inspired, provided for, and offered material, emotional, and spiritual support for the arts and artists. We are reclaiming the role of patron, or sponsor, of the arts as a way of serving God and our neighbors through the nurture of artists who will fashion beauty and, thereby, glorify God who is its source.
Our Story
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Founded in 2014, The Academy for the Arts was born from the vision of Karen Sorrells, who recognized a need for high-quality classical and traditional music instruction in the Asheville community. Since its founding, the Academy has become a vibrant center for musical excellence, serving as a training ground for Grammy-nominated artists, symphony orchestra musicians, and beloved local legends.
As a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Asheville, the Academy is supported by the church while remaining open to all. Students and instructors alike are not required to have any church affiliation. This spirit of inclusivity and community service reflects the Academy’s core mission: to make exceptional music education accessible to anyone with the desire to learn.
The original vision of The Academy for the Arts continues to thrive through the dedicated and accomplished faculty, who carry forward the mission of inspiring and equipping musicians of all ages to reach their highest potential.
The Academy for the Arts continues to be a place where passion, excellence, and creativity come together in the shared joy of making music.
Meet our Director
Rob Sine, Director
Rob Sine is a dedicated educator and musician with a deep commitment to learning and the arts. He spent eight years as a school administrator at ArtSpace Charter School, where he helped shape an innovative, arts-integrated educational environment that nurtured student creativity and academic growth. Before moving into administration, Rob began his career as a Special Education teacher, where he developed a passion for inclusive education and student-centered learning.
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Rob earned his Bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and later completed his master’s level teaching credential at Western Carolina University. His background in communication and education has helped him build strong, supportive relationships with students, families, and staff throughout his career.
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In addition to his work in education, Rob is a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, mandolin, and bass. He is a current member of Cast Iron, a local bluegrass band that has been featured in the publications Bluegrass Today and Bluegrass Unlimited. Over the years, Rob has performed with a variety of musicians and greatly values being a member of Western North Carolina’s vibrant music community.
Outside of his professional life, Rob enjoys spending time with his wife and their two rescue dogs. Whether at home or on the trail, he values time spent in nature and cherishes the balance between work, music, and family.
