Bridges Academy of Music offers private and group music lessons to all children in the Greater Chattanooga Area.​
Our music school was founded on our core values of Dignity, Respect, and Integrity. Bridges Academy of Music improves lives through music education that supports the whole child. The school opens doors and new pathways through music.
We support a pathway to open new doors and opportunities through music education.

We strive to truly meet the needs of our families.

We build positive relationships in a faith-based community founded on acceptance, love and support.

Established in 2017

The not-for-profit school was founded in 2017 to provide musical opportunities to underserved children in our communities, building a bridge out of poverty and helping provide a brighter future for our children.

Our Goal

The founding members of Bridges seek to foster community, a sense of hope and a vision moving forward with the families we reach.

Jaime Jorge 
Founder, Bridges Academy of Music

Jaime Jorge began playing the violin at the age of five. Born and raised in socialist/communist Cuba, he was given many opportunities to develop his talent, including an offer to study in Russia at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music in Moscow with some of the greatest musicians of our time, if only he would renounce his faith in God. He refused. When Jaime was ten, miraculously, his family was given the opportunity to leave the country.

They came to the United States, where Jaime received a Christian education and violin lessons with eminent violinist and teacher Cyrus Forough. But Jaime dreamed of being a missionary doctor, and in 1994 he entered the University of Illinois School of Medicine. In 1996, he left medical school and a promising medical career to follow God’s call to devote his life to full-time music ministry.
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Since 1988 he has performed over 4000 concerts, traveled over 7 million air miles and has played on 6 continents in over 80 countries. He has recorded and released 17 albums. He’s played in all kids of venues: thatch roof huts, high school gyms & auditoriums, simple & elaborate churches, fancy Cathedrals, stadiums, as well as in Carnegie Hall and The Lincoln Center in New York.

Katie Talley
Director, Bridges Academy of Music

Katie Talley, an Ohio native, moved to Southeast Tennessee to attend Lee University where she later received her Bachelor of Arts in Music with a vocal emphasis. As a voice student of Mrs. Virginia Horton, she began to grow a love and passion for excellence in private music education. While at Lee University, she was also a member of Lee University Campus Choir, under the direction of Dr. David Horton. Under the mentorship of the Horton’s in Campus Choir, Katie’s love for Christian service, missions, and excellence in music education found a place of unity to form a unique mission and calling her life. In addition to serving as a K-12 classroom music educator, Katie maintained a successful private voice and piano studio in Chattanooga from 2007-2021, serving countless dozens of students and their families with excellence in private music education built on a foundation of relationship and the love of Christ. In 2021, Katie accepted the position of Conservatory Director at Cadek Conservatory of Music, where she successfully grew the program beyond expectations. Throughout her years as a musician and music educator, she has learned that God has given her a unique calling and passion to serve as a music education advocate and administrator. When she speaks with others about music education, it is from the heart of a musician, educator, parent, administrator, advocate, and patron and it shows in the joy she shares with others when casting her vision.
Copyright Bridges Academy of Music 2023