Musician's Workshop

Co-Owner

Frank Dosier, co-owner and President of Musician’s Workshop, Inc., is a native of Asheville. He grew up studying piano, played trumpet and French horn in high school as well as keyboard in rock bands in the 60’s. In 1967, at age 16, he was hired as the first employee of Musician’s Workshop. An upbringing exposed to musical instruments, science and engineering proved invaluable at his job. He worked in the store through college, studied Economics and Philosophy at Oxford, earning a BA with Honors in Political Science at UNC Asheville. After graduation he became buyer, then store manager and in 1977 purchased the store with his wife Becky and built a reputation for guitar setups and custom modifications. Designing and installing sound systems soon became a major component of the business. In 1987 Dosier expanded the sound design and installation division focused on clubs and churches with the addition of commercial, medical and residential systems. This division was re-named Architectural Audio Video Designs. Dosier has served as sound engineer at his church for over 20 years and supports many local charities, including the Eblen Foundation. In addition to a lifelong love of the mountains and the outdoors, he is an avid blue water sailor. He has two sons, both contributing greatly to the store’s success and growth before going on to earn advanced degrees in architecture and electrical engineering.

Professional Certifications: SynAudCon graduate, Bose Professional System Designer, Bose BIV Residential Designer, Fender Authorized Service Technician: Silver Level – Electronics Fender Authorized Service Technician: Silver Level – Acoustic & Electric Guitars CEDIA Installer Level I, Contacta Loop Systems Designer, HLAA Professional Advisor, Listen/Ampetronics Inductive Loop Designer Level I, Listen/Ampetronics Certified Integrator Level II, Denon Ci Certified Custom Integrator, Shure Wireless Systems Designer, Niles ICS Systems Designer.  B.A. University of N.C. at Asheville.

Co-Owner

Becky Dosier, co-owner of Musician’s Workshop, Inc. is a native of Asheville. She graduated from UNC Asheville with a BA degree in Psychology as well as the Women In Management program and later studied accounting while enrolled in the WCU MBA program. Upon graduation from UNCA  Becky was employed as a social worker for 2 years in the Head Start program. She then joined Waechter’s Silk Shop, the 3rd generation family business, as buyer and then General Manager, and in 1977 purchased Musician’s Workshop with her husband, Frank. After the sale of her family business she became a full-time employee of Musician’s Workshop as Chief Financial Officer. In addition to finances, she is responsible for advertising, promotions and HR. Becky serves on the finance committee at church as well as that capacity in many of the other organizations in which she is active. She is the mother of two sons, who both contributed greatly to the store’s success and growth before going on to earn advanced degrees in architecture and electrical engineering.

Professional Education: B.A. in Psychology, University of N.C. at Asheville. Graduate of Women in Management, University of N.C. at Asheville.  M.B.A. Program studied accounting, University of N.C. at Asheville.

General Manager

Jack is an Asheville native and graduate of UNC-A.  He has been with Musician’s Workshop since 1984.  His years of experience on the job, playing music and running sound, has given him a broad knowledge of musical instruments and electronics. Jack has served in many capacities over the years at Musician’s Workshop including sales, guitar and electronics repairs and installation of sound systems.  His current duties as General Manager include purchasing, shipping & receiving, maintaining inventory, researching new products, keeping prices competitive and overseeing the day to day operation of the store.

Professional Certifications: Fender Authorized Service Technician: Silver Level – Electronics. Fender Authorized Service Technician: Silver Level – Acoustic & Electric Guitars.  B.A. University of N.C. at Asheville.

Sales & Social Media

Brian is a native of Hendersonville. He began studying percussion in high school and performed in many orchestral groups. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Industry from Western Carolina University, School of Music and continued performing with orchestras as well as WCU’s Pride of the Mountains marching band. In addition to being an excellent drummer and percussionist, Brian enjoys writing music with his guitar and creating soundscapes with various synthesizers. He has a passion and natural talent for all things technical and spends time designing and building electronic musical products as a in his spare time. Brian’s duties at Musician’s Workshop include Sales and Social Media.

Professional Certifications: Graduate of Taylor University.  B.A. in Music Industry, Western Carolina University.

Certified Luthier

Mark first entered the music scene on the Boston circuit, playing guitar in rock bands and as a sideman for singer/songwriters. After several years of working the bars and theaters across New England and New York, he trekked out to Phoenix to earn a Certificate in stringed instrument construction and repair from Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery. There he took on many complex repairs and built several guitars from scratch. One of these managed to catch the eye of the legendary Maine luthier, Dana Bourgeois, which was enough to pull him back to the northeast for a few years. After cheating death in a 29-car pileup along the way, Mark landed in Portland, ME working at Bourgeois Guitars as the sole member of the fretting and neck-setting department. He also helped out with binding, milling, setups and anything else he could get his hands on- all while doing repairs on local musician’s instruments in his shop at home on nights and weekends. A veteran of over 500 fret jobs, he moved to Asheville in 2017 and is eager to keep the stringed instruments of Asheville and WNC in top playing shape.

Professional Certifications: Luthier Certificate, Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery.  Taylor Guitar Authorized Service Technician: Silver Level.  Fender Acoustic and Electric Guitar: Silver Level Service Certifications

Certified Guitar Tech

Brian is a native of Hendersonville. He began studying percussion in high school and performed in many orchestral groups. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Industry from Western Carolina University, School of Music and continued performing with orchestras as well as WCU’s Pride of the Mountains marching band. In addition to being an excellent drummer and percussionist, Brian enjoys writing music with his guitar and creating soundscapes with various synthesizers. He has a passion and natural talent for all things technical and spends time designing and building electronic musical products as a in his spare time. Brian’s duties at Musician’s Workshop include outstanding guitar setups, pickup installations and repairs.

Professional Certifications: Taylor Guitar Authorized Service Technician: Silver Level.   B.A. in Music Industry, Western Carolina University.  Graduate of Taylor University.

Instruments Taught:
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Dobro, Mandolin & Ukulele

Online Private Lessons Only

Mike is available for online instruction.  You may contact him directly at AshevilleGuitar@gmail.com or visit his website http://www.ashevilleguitar.com

Mike Barnes has been teaching at Musician’s Workshop since 1977 and is also a faculty member in the University of North Carolina at Asheville music department. He studied at the University of Miami and is a graduate of L.A.’s Musician’s Institute (GIT), as well as UNCA. He has toured the country extensively in a variety of musical ensembles, served as a studio musician for Geffen and Polygram Records, and spent time as a session guitarist for recording studios in L.A., Memphis, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Nashville. Mike studied with such guitar legends as Pat Martino, Robben Ford, Joe Diorio. He has also shared the stage with The Black Crowes, John Scofield, Jimmy Page, The Allman Brothers and Warren Haynes & Gov’t Mule, to name a few. He teaches all styles of guitar from beginner to advanced, plus bass guitar, dobro, mandolin & ukulele.

Mike Barnes is also available for performance bookings in all musical styles.  Please contact him for any of your live musical needs.

Professional Education: Graduate of Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) Los Angeles, CA.  Master’s Degree Program, University of Miami.  Faculty member University of N.C. at Asheville – Music Department.

Teaching Schedule:
Online Lessons Only - Contact Mike Directly - See Above

Instruments Taught:
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele

In-Store Private Lessons

If you are a beginning or intermediate guitarist who has been frustrated by the task of advancing your guitar skills, Forrest Smith is here to help. Forrest has a B.A. in music from The University of North Carolina at Asheville. Forrest helps understand the theories of music through the music you enjoy. Forrest graduated from UNCA in 1997 and began teaching at Asheville Music School. In 2000 he joined the teaching staff at Musician’s Workshop. Since arriving in Asheville in 1992, Forrest has been a member of many bands (Marsupial, The Jaimee Tomas Band, This Man’s Hat, Leigh Glass & The Hazards,Fifth House, After School Special, The Royal We), as well as contributing to several artists recordings. Forrest’s approach to teaching is to tailor his style to each individual student based on their goals and music style preferences.

Professional Education: B.A. in Music, University of N.C. at Asheville.

Teaching Schedule:
In Store Lessons / Monday, Tuesday and Saturday

Instruments Taught:
Guitar, Bass Guitar

In-Store Private Lessons

Rick Praytor has been teaching guitar and mentoring young and upcoming bands for 45 years. Rick studied with Joe Diorio at the Guitar Institute of Technology. He also studied with Tim Hayden and studied theory and composition with Bill Gerhardt. Rick is currently playing solo finger style and jazz guitar at several venues around western North Carolina. Rick’s approach is to know his students and develop a lesson approach that is fun and tailored to his student’s wants and needs. He will work on the very basic stuff or goes deep as you would like. He will recommend things he thinks would benefit you but never force you. It is always your choice. He also teaches bass guitar.

Professional Education:  Graduate of Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) Los Angeles, CA.

Teaching Schedule:
In Store Lessons / Wednesday

Instruments Taught:
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele

In-Store Private Lessons

Jonathan “Jelly” Ellington is a native of Asheville, NC and has been teaching and mentoring aspiring guitarists for over 10 years. He is a classically trained guitarist, and studied with Tomo Fujita at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Jelly has performed and recorded with Grammy Award-Winning artists, and was awarded as a Top 10 “Best Guitarist” in the 2018 and 2019 Austin Music Awards in Austin, TX. Jelly loves all genres and styles of music, and considers himself most deeply rooted in rock n’ roll and blues. Jelly is an avid performer, producer, and recording artist in the Asheville, Nashville, and Austin music scenes. He has valuable and effective resources to help bring out the full potential in each of his students. Jelly’s passion for music is infectious, and he always strives to create a fun and creative atmosphere in each of his lessons. Whether it’s learning your favorite songs or picking up the guitar for the very first time, Jelly is here to help! Visit his website at jellyellington.com to listen to his original music and find out more info.

Professional Education:  Graduate of Berklee College of Music Boston, MA. B.M. in Performance

Teaching Schedule:
In Store Lessons / Monday and Tuesday