Our Instructors
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Owner, Violin Instructor
Nora Bellows
Nora Bellows has been a violin instructor since 1997, opening Washington Academy of Music in 2006 to provide quality education and performance opportunities for music students in Franklin County MO. Enrolled at the age of three in the University of Arkansas' Fayetteville Suzuki School, Nora received her foundation in Suzuki Methodology. She continued her instruction with traditional teachers upon moving to Maine, playing in both the local youth orchestra at 14 and the University of Maine Orchestra at 16. She began her teaching career in Suzuki instruction at RDL Strings Studio in Bangor, Maine. After relocating to St. Louis in 2005, she became a member of the St. Louis Philharmonic, and a board member and president of the Washington Arts Council. Nora is also the founding member of The Divines, an all-female Celtic band that performs locally. Nora holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Maine and is a Certified Suzuki and Musikgarten Instructor.

Piano Instructor
Abby Henderson
Abby has been teaching piano lessons for the past five years. Previously Abby was an instructor at Kay’s School of Music and she currently operates her own private studio. A graduate of East Central College Abby began taking piano lessons at the age of five. Abby is currently the full time pianist at her Church and enjoys accompanying students at festivals and events. When she isn’t playing piano Abby enjoys spending time with her husband and young children.

Piano Instructor
Andrew Fink
Andrew Fink joined WAM in 2023. He started music lessons at the age of four, continued studying piano and organ as a teen and graduated with an Associate of Arts from East Central College in 2013, earning the Outstanding Musician of the Year award that same year. Andrew continued his music studies at Southeast Missouri State University, is a Suzuki certified instructor, and continues to study music at the collegiate level. Andrew has been a church organist and regular member of local ensembles.

Voice Instructor
Katie Alexander
Katie Alexander joined WAM in 2009. Katie sang her first solo at age 7 and continues her vocal lessons as well as performing with a variety of choirs and singing groups. She earned her degree in vocal performance from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, leading to performances in a multiple of musicals and choirs. Katie continues to advance her singing ability through private study with Christine Armistead at Washington University, and is the director of both the Children’s and Adult Choirs at St. Francis Borgia church.

Piano Instructor
Brian Komo
Brian is currently an accompanist for Pacific High School, Day Spring Baptist Church in Saint Louis, United Methodist Church in Saint Clair as well as a piano instructor at Palen Music Center in O’Fallon. Brian has been playing piano for the past twelve years and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music from Culver-Stockton College. When Brian has spare time he enjoys composing music and has published works for piano and brass.
Our History

How We Started
The Washington Academy of Music was founded by Nora Bellows in the spring of 2009. She had previously been teaching at music studios in Kirkwood and Chesterfield, Missouri, as well as from her home in Washington.
“It had long been a dream of mine to open up a studio in downtown Washington to offer quality music education to the area,” Nora said. “Six months after opening we grew enough to divide the one large studio space into three private lessons rooms and a waiting room; the academy has been growing ever since.”
