about us

Bristol Academy of Music (BAM), located in historic downtown Bristol, TN/VA, provides a fun, modern learning experience that amplifies potential and inspires a lifelong love of music. The academy offers a variety of education options like Glee Club, musical theater, camps and events, deluxe lessons, and private lessons - all designed to make learning fun so students of all ages reach their full potential.

Owner and founder Rachel Helton spent 15 years as an operatic performer and 10 years as a music instructor for private individuals and several universities including ETSU, Milligan, Emory & Henry, and King. Rachel founded BAM in 2019 after years of becoming increasingly aware of the lack of community-oriented, engaging music education available in the Bristol area. BAM was awarded the Ben Collins Entrepreneur Grant from Believe in Bristol that same year.

Now, Rachel, along with several other talented team members including her husband, voice instructor Gabe Helton, has expanded offerings for students of all ages to include classes, group activities, camps, after school programs, and more.

Rachel Helton is the owner and founder of Bristol Academy of Music! A native of Canton, Ohio, Mrs. Helton holds a Bachelor of Music and a Masters of Music in vocal performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music.

Mrs. Helton's operatic performance credits include, the title role in Carmen, Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, and roles in Albert Herring, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Magic Flute, Così fan tutte, The Barber of Seville, Susannah, and Faust. Helton has performed with Asheville Lyric Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Central City Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Undercroft Opera, and Indiana University Opera Theater. Helton's concert credits include Verdi's Requiem, Mozart's Requiem, Messiah, A Child of Our Time by Tippett, Vivaldi's Gloria, and Duruflé's Requiem.

Mrs. Helton has been teaching voice and piano for 12 years to beginning and advanced students. Her students have found success locally, nationally, and internationally.

In addition to her private students, Mrs. Helton was an instructor at East Tennessee State University, Milligan University, Emory & Henry College, and King University.

Mrs. Helton is thrilled to offer a community for musicians of all ages to learn, inspire, and perform together.

Christopher Yoder is a native of Canton Ohio, where he received a Bachelor of Arts from Malone College. In 2003 he and his wife Stephanie made their new home in Bristol VA to pursue careers in music. Christopher teaches piano, and accompanies the choirs for the Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy in addition to numerous choral events in the region. A number of Christopher’s compositions have received premieres within the Tri-Cities, including the choral lullaby Balow by the Voices of the Mountains in 2009, and a double choir setting of Psalm 130 by the Highlands Youth Ensemble in 2017.

Mr. Yoder teaches piano at Bristol Academy of Music.

Eva Kling is a native of Abingdon, VA.

She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music and Education at the University of Virginia's College at Wise, where she studied under Dr. Paul Volk, Dr Michael Donathan, and Dr. Christy Lee. She has been teaching piano for seven years, and is the Music Director and Choir Director of First Christian Church of Abingdon.

Eva teaches piano lessons at Bristol Academy of Music.

Gabe Helton, baritone, is a native of Abingdon, VA. He currently resides in Bristol, VA with his wife, Rachel. Helton holds a Bachelor of Music in voice from North Carolina School of the Arts where he studied with Derek Lawrence, James Allbritten, Marilyn Taylor, and Marion Pratnicki. He entered the Performer’s Diploma program at Indiana University Jacob’s School of Music where he studied under Virginia Zeani and Timothy Noble. 

Known for his warmth and power, Helton’s operatic credits include the title role in Eugene Onegin and leading roles in Die Fledermaus, Faust, Der Rosenkavalier, Don Giovanni, Merry Wives of Windsor, Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, La Boheme, Die Zauberflöte, and The Merry Widow. He has performed with Brevard Music Center, Piedmont Opera, Indiana University Opera Theater, and North Carolina School of the Arts. Helton’s concert credits include Brahms Requiem, Mozart Requiem, Messiah, Bruckner Requiem, Berlioz Requiem, Saint-Saëns Requiem, Fauré Requiem, and Verdi Requiem. 

Mr. Helton teaches private voice lessons at Bristol Academy of Music. His students have won success locally and statewide, winning performance opportunities and placing in state honor choirs.

David King, originally from St. Augustine, FL, teaches guitar and ukulele at Bristol Academy of Music. He holds a degree in guitar performance from Florida State University. David previously taught at the Thomasville Road Academy of the Arts in Tallahassee, FL. David also owns and operates Datil Sensation, specializing in datil pepper sauce, gourmet hot sauces, and salsas made from home grown peppers!