About Us
Welcome to Southern Park Music School, where creativity and excellence meet. Our mission is to inspire students of all ages and abilities through personalised lessons, dynamic ensemble experiences and immersive performance opportunities. Whether you're discovering music for the first time or preparing for a professional career, our dedicated faculty are here to guide you every step of the way.
We offer instruction across a wide range of instruments and musical styles. Students benefit from small class sizes, a supportive community and access to state-of-the-art facilities. Join us and let music become a lifelong companion.
Why Choose Southern Park?
Since 1964, we’ve helped Charlotte families discover the joy of music with inspiring teachers, a welcoming community, and spaces built for sound.
Recitals that Inspire
Perform in our beautiful recital hall. We host programs about once a month during the school year—and recitals are free for performers and guests.
Studios Built for Sound
Eight private lesson studios, each with an acoustic piano; every piano lesson is taught on a grand piano for the best feel and tone.
Exceptional Faculty
Experienced performers and educators with extensive training—many hold advanced music degrees—and a passion for teaching.
Student Success
Our students thrive—participating in festivals and competitions, earning awards, and growing a lifelong love of music.
Our History
Founded in 1964 by John Whitaker and Harold Nave, Southern Park Music School began with six students at a small facility near Park Road Shopping Center.
In 1968, the school moved to 2838 Selwyn Avenue. By 1971, John Whitaker had become the sole owner.
Dr. Michael Lehtinen joined the faculty as a piano instructor in 1995, and became the director in 2006 upon Mr. Whitaker’s retirement.
Also in 2006, the Selwyn Avenue location was sold as part of a neighborhood redevelopment project. Southern Park returned to Park Road later that year to a newly constructed home at Seneca Commons. Because it was new construction, Dr. Lehtinen was able to custom design the space for a music school.
Today our facility includes eight teaching studios and a beautiful recital hall—each planned with aural and visual needs in mind—plus a welcoming lobby and office that houses an extensive music library. Architects, acousticians, engineers, and developers all contributed to create an ideal space for learning and performance.
Southern Park celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. We look back with pride, having provided music education to thousands of students—some prizewinners at the local, state, and national levels, and some who have gone on to professional careers in music.
From our first six students to today’s thriving community, our mission has remained constant. Since 1964 we have welcomed all students, offering lessons regardless of race or background. We continue to open our doors to every learner and to share the language of music with the next generation.
