Central United Methodist Knoxville, Tennessee

Music Staff

George Hayden has been Music Director since 2003 and supervised the growth in the music program at Central. He is the band director at Maryville Intermediate School and assistant band director for the Maryville High School "Red Rebel" Marching Band. He operates a school for student conductors who want to become drum majors and serves as a judge at marching band competitions. His Maryville Intermediate School band was recently honored with an invitation to play at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. George is a graduate of University of Tennessee and recently completed his masters degree at Lincoln Memorial University.

Tim Lett became the organist at Central United Methodist in June of 2005. Within a few months, he was also the director of the church handbell choir (a position he also holds at First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville). He has served as organist for churches in Knoxville, Georgia, and Texas. A self-described "Air Force brat," Tim has a degree in mathematics from the University of Texas—Arlington and additional study in business, organ, and handbells. During the week, Tim works for McDonald Transit Associates, consulting with transit systems throughout the U.S. Tim is married to Nancy, and has a grown son and daughter.

Nancy Peake and Carolyn Cottrell share the duties of church pianist. Nancy is retired, enjoys gardening, and also serves as the Area 12 Director of Gideons International. She and her husband Ronnie have five children and eight grandchildren between them. Carolyn joined Central UMC in 2006. Retired from the Internal Revenue Service, she works part-time as a tax paralegal. She has been married almost 50 years to Bud; they have two children and seven grandchildren.