Founder & Owner - Ian McClure
Ian McClure founded Appalachian StringWorks in an effort to make his passion a career. Ian started studying violin at 4 years old, and switched to cello at 8 years old, and never looked back! His early childhood teachers were both Helen & Andy Bryenton, they have a really cool doorbell if you ever end up at their house. From there, he played through middle and high school orchestra programs and continued private lessons. After graduating from Bearden High School in 2010, he was accepted to MTSU with a full scholarship to study Cello Performance with Dr. Christine Kim. This began his journey of playing professionally and finding the joy that comes with bringing live string music to someone’s big day. The studio and business as a whole really started in 2015 when he began teaching private cello lessons, and booking more weddings and services.
As a performing cellist, Ian regularly subs with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (KSO) and the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra (ORCMA). That firsthand connection to the stage gives Ian a deep understanding of what musicians need from their instruments—how they feel, respond, and sound under real performance conditions.
Ian brings warmth, expertise, and a performer’s insight to every collaboration.
Our Team
Appalachian StringWorks is grateful to have tangible connections to a roster of the best professional musicians in East Tennessee!
Mei Lia White is a versatile musician with a passion for performance and education. She holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Mei Lia has been teaching since 2021 and is currently at Bill Jones. Her principal teachers include Geoffrey Herd, Evie Chen, and Miroslav Hristov. Mei Lia has performed at numerous festivals both nationally and internationally, showcasing her talent and dedication to music. As an orchestral performer, she plays in the Brevard Philharmonic, Symphony of the Mountains, and Bryan Symphony. Additionally, she has performed with the Knoxville Symphony and is on the sublist for the Nashville Symphony.
Mei Lia White - Violin
Bio pending update!
Mason Crowder - Violin
Katy Gawne joined the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as principal violist in 2001 at the age of 22. Prior to moving to Tennessee, Katy made her home in the Chicago area. Katy started playing the violin in 4th grade as part of a public school music program. Her first teachers, Art Montzka and Ann Montzka-Smelser, made a tremendous impact on her life and she is forever grateful for their loving guidance, limitless patience, and willingness to share their passion for music with their students. She received her Bachelor’s degree in violin performance and Master’s degree in viola performance from Northern Illinois University where she was a scholarship student of Mathias Tacke and Richard Young of the Vermeer Quartet. Lewis Rosove was an important orchestral mentor to Katy. Katy has completed extensive teacher training in the Suzuki violin and viola methods. She teaches students as young as four and her advanced students have held principal chairs in youth orchestras and at music camps across the country. Katy lives in Knoxville with her husband, children, and two poodles.