Aleesa Parnell

Ms. Aleesa Parnell has spent the majority of her life in the music world having taken private lessons from Susan DiBiase, Dr. Steven DiBlase, Thomas Maternik, Dr. Yi-Wen Zhang, Dr. Suren Petrosyan, and world renowned child prodigy Dr. Yi-Min Cai. She grew up performing with the Etowah Youth Orchestras and has continued to perform in ensembles such as the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra, UNA Collegiate Choir, North Alabama University Orchestra, and Shoals Symphony Orchestra.

Having a love for sharing music with upcoming musicians, Ms. Parnell has taught strings at Kilby Elementary, band at Rogers High School, orchestra at Florence High School, general music at Hibbett Elementary, and interned with Lighthouse Theatre Company, Etowah Youth Orchestras, and Rogers High School Band.

After receiving her degree in music education at the University of North Alabama in 2023, Ms. Parnell is excited to return to the area that originally inspired her love for music. In 2024, she joined the Gadsden City Schools community, teaching strings at Floyd Elementary, Ray Thompson Elementary, Striplin Elementary, Mitchell Elementary, Eura Brown Elementary, and Gadsden Middle School. Ms. Parnell hopes to help young musicians discover their love for music the same way she did as a cellist who found her start in Gadsden, AL.