FACULTY & STAFF
TERRY HIMEBOOK
Founder
Director of Beginning Band, Wind Symphony, Lab Band, & Honors Choir
Terry is a lifelong professional music educator with vast experience as music professor at Westminster Christian Academy, Huntsville, AL, as well as music director for several PCA churches across the Southeast. As an accomplished trombonist, Terry has participated in numerous musical groups, and orchestrator for the Trinity Hymnal. Terry is a graduate of Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA.
RUTH HIMEBOOK
Chorale Accompanist
Director of K - 1st Music Class &
2nd - 5th Music Classes
Ruth Himebook began formal piano lessons at age four. At age 15, Ruth was the pianist for the Atlanta Youth Symphony. Ruth holds a BA in Music Education, with an emphasis in piano performance, and also has had instruction at the Master’s level. A accompanist for the Eugene Brasher Chorale, the Huntsville Community Children’s Chorus, the Covenant College Chorale, Westminster Christian Academy Choir, and numerous Private / Public School choirs and competitions;, Ruth accompanies University students. With 20 plus years of classroom experience, Ruth has also served as Choral Director at The Village at Germantown and has been a church pianist for nearly 40 years.
LORI GILBERT
Beginning Strings, Intermediate Strings, Pre-K Music
Lori Gilbert is a freelance musician and violin teacher from Memphis, Tennessee. Lori began her teaching career at age 16 and has maintained a violin studio for over 20 years. After completing a Master’s degree in Violin Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Soh-Hyun Altino, she has continued her violin studies with Yoko Takebe and Michael Gilbert, formerly of the New York Philharmonic, and Joy Brown Wiener, Concertmaster Emeritus of the Memphis Symphony. She completed long-term Suzuki training with Kimberly Meier-Simms and Libby Armour, and short-term training with Nancy Jackson and Ed Kreitman. She plays with the Delta Symphony (Arkansas) and with the Rivendell String Quartet.
DANIEL GILBERT
Concert Strings
Daniel Gilbert is a free-lance violinist in Memphis. He plays regularly with PRIZM, the Memphis Symphony, Luna Nova, and at the Orpheum Theater. He also teaches at the Bellevue School of Performing Arts. Daniel began violin studies with his grandfather Noel Gilbert when Noel was the Music Director of the Germantown Symphony. This early influence planted dual seeds of a love of music and of the violin. Daniel is married to Lori, also a violinist and they have two sons, Isai and Calum.
NEAL BOWEN
Director of Jazz Band,
Concert Band, Intermediate Band, &
Music Theory
Neal is a freelance performing and studio musician, and has designed curriculum for post-secondary vocational music institutions and conducted creative technology, music, & performance clinics for Visible Music College and Apple, Inc. Neal is an instructor of multiple instruments, both privately and in group settings, with an emphasis on technology in the classroom. As a solo artist, Neal has albums and singles on all streaming platforms, and as a sideman he accompanies a number of recording artists locally and nationally. On Sundays, Neal is the MD for New Hope Christian Church Worship Team. Neal is married and his children are both current and former TSH students.
MARY LOVE COOK
Director of
Middle School Choir, Concert Choir, &
Flute Choir
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Mary Love Cook received her Bachelors in Music Performance from the University of Memphis. During her study at the university, she placed first in the Beethoven’s Club Young Artist Competition Senior Division and was a winner of the U of M Concerto competition, both on solo flute. She currently teaches private woodwind lessons in the greater Memphis area.
POLLY VAN DER BIJL
Polly van der Bijl may well be the heartbeat of The Shepherd's Horn. Polly oversees student registration and is an integral part of the daily administration for TSH teachers, staff, and students. Playing piano, clarinet, and trumpet in middle school, high school, and church ensembles growing up, Polly was overjoyed as TSH provided the opportunity for her 6 children to also enjoy participating in music as they grew up. Polly has an extensive administrative background, as well as being a certified TEFL instructor/adult education coordinator.
CARLA SMITH
Wearer of many hats, Carla joins us as an administrative assistant to Polly. She has been a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 24 years, currently working in Arkansas. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration that she uses daily in the bookkeeping and general management of the service-oriented family business. Carla is married and has homeschooled their son for 9 years. She teaches a weekly science class within their local co-op.