Our staff have all made music a lifelong journey. With our many years of experience, we can help lead you on a journey of your own.
We are not afraid to put in the time it takes to help you achieve your goals in music. Learning an instrument can have its ups and downs, but we will be there for you the entire way.
The instructors at HMI know how to teach to a variety of learning styles. Whether you can read elaborate sheet music or you have never played an instrument before, we employ different teaching methods to help you grow as a musician.
After spending decades touring, recording, composing, and producing music, our founder, Ivan Hampden, set out on an new adventure in 2014 by establishing Hamptown Music Institute in Clayton, North Carolina. Ivan is a four-time Grammy winner who has also taught music at local colleges and universities for over a decade. The mission is to prepare the next generation of musicians, artists, and music creators and help them succeed on their musical journey!
Founder and CEO. Ivan is an accomplished drummer, producer, and songwriter who has collaborated with many prominent artists such as Luther Vandross, Nick Ashford, Chaka Khan, Eartha Kitt, and others. He has been recognized on four Grammy awards for his work as a musician, arranger, and programmer on Vandross' multiple platinum recordings.