Meet Jennie Stills of Franklin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennie Stills.

Hi Jennie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, I remember going to family reunions in upstate South Carolina and my family would start to sing and pull out different instruments. Once they finished a song, they would pass their instrument to the next person. It seemed as though everyone knew how to play everything, from the fiddle to the guitar. I distinctly remember my grandmother not having an instrument and going into the kitchen to get some spoons to play. Even in my own house, after dinner we would often sit around playing music. These are some of my favorite memories growing up. Throughout my school years I sang in church and in school through school productions and in choirs. When I graduated I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Teach. So, I went to Furman University in Greenville, S.C. and studied music education and classical voice. After college, I spent the next few years teaching middle and high school chorus. I loved it, but at the time I didn’t realize how much. Maybe that’s a part of growing up. You sometimes have to walk away from something to recognize its true value. My husband and I moved to Charlotte, N.C. in 2008, and I quickly became involved with Elevation Worship. Looking back now, it was amazing to be a part of a ministry from the beginning stages. I started singing and continued for the next 5 years. Over the years my roles with Elevation Worship evolved, and I eventually helped start and teach at the Elevation Worship Academy. The goal was to train and raise up musicians within the church from an early age. We trained elementary through high school students in music theory, their instrument of choice, worship, and everyone participated in the choir. I taught voice lessons, music theory, and conducted the choir. I absolutely loved it. Fast-forward to now, and here we are in Nashville. Last year, I decided to start a choir at the homeschool tutorial where our 3 kids go. It was one of the most life-giving experiences I’ve had in a while. I suddenly remembered how much I love teaching kids, and, specifically, teaching them to sing together. I love creating stories through choral music in expected and unexpected ways. And that brings me to where we are today. After my experience at the kids’ school I decided it was time to start a choir here in Franklin. A place where students can learn proper vocal and choral principles. A place where they can express themselves, while still supporting a group goal. A place where we make beautiful music and tell beautiful stories together.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to starting Franklin Youth Choir has not been smooth. In fact, when I first approached the school to start the choir, I was initially told “no.” While I know they had their reasons, I was extremely disappointed. Heartbroken, actually. I was desperate to wake up something that had been put to sleep. About 7 months after being told no, I received an email from the head of their tutorial that said they were ready to start the choir…in one month. That month flew by, and was full of writing the show and arranging music, but I am so thankful for the timing and the experience. During that semester I realized it was time for me and decided to start a choir here in Franklin. My first obstacle was finding a place to meet. With not many connections, this proved to be more difficult than I imagined it would be. I got mostly silence and ‘no’s’…until 1 ‘yes.’ It took about 3 months to get that ‘yes’ and with that secured I tried to launch the choir for Spring of 2025. The timing was not ideal, and meant I was giving parents 3 weeks to sign up for a completely new opportunity, after already filling their schedules with sports and other activities. It did not happen for the Spring 2025 semester. I did not have enough students to move forward. So, after sending out the email that we would be on hold until the fall, I took some time to gather my thoughts and frame the present failure. I could see it as a failure and quit, or I could view it as just another ‘no’ closer to the big ‘yes.’ And that’s where we are now–closer to that big ‘yes.’ Moving to a new city as an adult has been challenging after being planted in Charlotte for so long. Creating something new at 40 is a lesson I hope will pay off. I hope my kids, and especially my daughters will see that it is possible to pour my heart out for my family and for something outside of them that I am passionate about. And as they all watch me struggle, and hopefully succeed, I pray it encourages them to try new things in both private and public ways. To push through hard days and disappointments until the ‘no’ turns to ‘yes.’

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am passionate about teaching students through music. Being with students, both young and old is a gift I don’t take for granted. They bring life, curiosity and excitement that can sometimes get lost in the responsibilities of motherhood. When I taught students in the public school setting, I was known for my ability to bring creativity, excellence, discipline, and most importantly fun to even the most difficult groups. I approach every opportunity with a sense of discipline and an expectation of excellence that helps drive the experience, so we can create an atmosphere of fun and curiosity. Singing is one of the most vulnerable things we can ever do, and it is so important to create an environment where vulnerability is normal and valued. While at the Elevation Worship Academy, my favorite part was working with the students as a choir. One of the things I am known for is creating musical experiences that move the audience and the students. I don’t take the power of music for granted. I believe music opens spaces in our hearts that make it ready to receive truths and address the different issues of life, and I take the responsibility of that very seriously. No matter how young, the students’ ability to work as a group to create a beautiful piece of music moves not only the audience, but the singers themselves. A gift of the choral setting, is that not only do we get to explore beautiful music together, but we get to build a strong foundation in musical and vocal principles along the way. After turning 40 last year I realized that one of the best parts was the acceptance of my gifts and my weaknesses. I am ok with the things I’m not good at, but I am passionate about the things I am good at. And that is teaching students.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in Beaufort, SC. Hello marsh and sulfur. Trust me, you get used to and even come to love the smell. When I was in elementary school, my parents took a break from ministry and moved my family to a plantation just outside of Hilton Head where my dad worked as a hunting guide. We didn’t live in the big house. We lived in the caretakers house. It wasn’t fancy at all. It was actually quite simple with wood paneling and no dishwasher. More importantly, across the dirt road just in front of our house, was a huge field of wildflowers and the best climbing trees. My brother and I spent days and days and days out there climbing trees and running through the fields. Each day ended with a bath and family dinner, sometimes a ride in the wagon pulled by the mules, and always with washing the dishes-probably my least favorite chore. We weren’t close to town, so whenever we went to school or waited for an afternoon activity to finish we would stop by the pier across from the plantation property and count the jellyfish that seemed to float effortlessly through the water. Christmas in that house is the one I remember the most. I think it’s the only Christmas I didn’t wake up early. In fact, my parents had to wake me up that morning. That’s the year I received my red bike, and though I was excited about the gift, I think the gift of slow was the best gift that year. Before I would be able to put words to my complicated thoughts and feelings, in my simple, elementary mind, I was already discovering the secret. The keys to contentment and happiness would not be in new toys on Christmas morning, but in a slow, thoughtful life.

Pricing:

• $250 for the first student
• $200 for each sibling after

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.franklinyouthchoir.com
• Instagram: @franklintnyouthchoir
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571505713736
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennie-stills-112045146/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FranklinYouthChoir