Administrative Staff

Erin Walker Bliss - Director

859.221.2190 | erin.walker@centralmusicacademy.org

Erin Walker Bliss is on the world music faculty at the University of Kentucky. Her undergraduate and graduate degrees are from Northern Illinois University and DePaul University respectively, and she holds a Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree in percussion performance and a Ph.D.in Musicology/Ethnomusicology from the University of Kentucky. Erin has taught courses in music appreciation, jazz history, Asian music, and the history of rock at the University of Kentucky and was a temporary instructor at Northern Illinois University in the summer of 2007. She has also been on the teaching faculty at the Bands of America World Percussion Summer Symposium, the Yamaha Sounds of Summer Drum Camp, and the Birch Creek Music Center. As a percussionist with an extensive background in world music, Erin’s diverse musical interests have allowed her to travel to Korea, Trinidad, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Thailand, Canada, Croatia, and throughout the United States. She has recorded for Honeyrock Publications and Alfred Publications, and is a founding member of the nief-norf project, a contemporary music ensemble. Erin has worked at CMA since 2005.

Michelle Clouse - Assistant Director

859.221.2190 | Michelle.clouse@centralmusicacademy.org

Michelle Clouse, a native of Northern Kentucky, graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Michelle participated as a peer mentor for UK 101, an introductory class for incoming freshmen. She also was a site leader for UK FUSION, a program striving to bridge the gap between the University of Kentucky and the city of Lexington. Michelle also interned at Kentucky Education Television on the production of Where the River Bends, which was awarded two regional Emmys. Clouse completed an internship at Kentucky Refugee Ministries as a coordinator for World Refugee Day. She worked at the Singletary Center for the Arts for four years, being promoted three times to a house manager Level 1. Since 2006, Clouse has been the Assistant Director at the Central Music Academy.

Valerie Wright - Program and Outreach Coordinator

859.221.2190 | valerie.wright@centralmusicacademy.org

Valerie Wright is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Music and Arts Administration. During her time at UK, she was a member of the piano performance studio, performed with the UK Piano Ensemble, and served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Arts Administration. Valerie also held the role of Promotions Director for the student-run radio station WRFL, where she managed student relations, marketing, and events, and booked mainstage performances in Lexington for artists such as Geese and Osees. Prior to joining the staff, Valerie served as both a piano instructor and intern at CMA for three years. She joined the CMA staff in 2026 and continues to provide piano instruction. Outside of her work at CMA, Valerie is a board member of the local nonprofit Outside the Spotlight, which brings free improvisational jazz performances to the Lexington community.