About Us





Our History

2010 Beginning Band

In the year 2000, a small group of homeschooling parents joined together for the purpose of adding a music component to their childrens’ plans of study.  These parents and their families, now a cooperative, teamed up with Mr. Donald “Doby” Dobrosky and Ms. Katherine Johnson, both notable area musicians and educators in their own right, to form the organization we know today as National Homeschool Music Ensembles, NHME.  Starting with only a handful of students comprising a single wind-ensemble, NHME has grown into as many as five satellite locations; has added more ensembles like choir, string orchestra, and the percussion line; and has become an unconventional yet innovative, educational model.  We successfully exported that model, our way of doing things and our ideas, across the country into several organizations with similar goals in mind.  NHME is a founding member of the Michigan Home School Music Network, MHSMN.  Along with the twelve other MHSMN music programs, NHME provides an instructional experience that’s become the envy of educators statewide and that’s drawn the attention of university directors looking to augment their bands and orchestras.  This musical endeavor has seen over 500 students and counting pass through its ranks in the past twenty years with many of these NHME alumni becoming leaders and professionals in their chosen fields.  In 2016 with the invaluable support provided by Mr. Jack Barrett, NHME secured the acquisition of our operational home-base in Tecumseh, the former Tecumseh Grange.  At NHMEs beginning, Mr. Barrett, the last Master of Grange #166, suggested holding music classes at the under-utilized Grange Halls in Southeast Michigan.  Later, Jack’s suggestion and advice cemented NHME’s place within the community with the purchase of the hall.  As we start a strong new year and an exciting new season at NHME, we look forward to continuing and growing our commitment to preparing tomorrow’s leaders today through music.



Our Experiences

NHME stands for excellence and strives to be the finest music instruction program in southeast Michigan.  We are proud to serve the homeschool community in Lenawee, Washtenaw, and Monroe counties with a high quality and comprehensive music program.  To that end, we find opportunities to participate with and play along with other College, University, and professional area ensembles.  In 2015, NHME partnered with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for a side-by-side concert performance (Click the picture on the left to read all about it).  As a result, A2SO’s director, Mr. Arie Lipsky, has become a proponent of NHME and a respected guest-conductor.  Other guest-conductors have included Dr. John Pasquale, Director University of Michigan Marching and Athletic Bands, Mr. Wes King, Professor at University of Memphis and former Director of Bands Siena Heights University, and Mr. Jim Rice, Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Siena Heights and Director for the Adrian City Band and the TCA Big Band.  Our joint workshops with the ensembles of higher educational instituitons have included almost all of them in the local area: Eastern, Western, Central, Wayne State, Grand Valley, Toledo, Bowling Green, Concordia, Akron, Albion, Hillsdale, Spring Arbor, Siena Heights and more.  NHME always keeps a lookout for positive musical experiences to enrich and benefit our students!

Mr. Brian Gorski, Director of the Adrian City Band, sharing thoughts on teaming-up and sharing experiences with NHME's students.


Some Testimonials

Michael Brian Alden Brandon Hannah at WMU

These kids can come play with us anytime!   

Scott Boema - Director of Bands WMU 

What you're doing here is nothing short of amazing [...] This group plays as well or better than any group in the area.    

Wes King - Director of Bands SHU

It was a pleasure to get a chance to meet and work with such a fine group of musicians [...] Their attitude and work ethic was a pleasure to experience.  I can only imagine the impact of these students on your program!  It must be a real treat to have these wonderful young people in your band. 

Sam McIlhagga - Director of Bands Albion College

Read an open letter from a mother of five homeschooled children, peruse an endorsement from a homeschool parent in Ypsilanti, hear from one music mom about the program, and read what our students say about NHME!

501(c)(3)
Donations represent one of only two income sources for NHME, the second source being student tuition. NHME strives to keep a fee structure affordable to our homeschooling families. Under its 501(c)(3) non-profit charter, NHME does not charge admission to concerts which are presented as a service to our communities. NHME, therefore, looks to grants and donations to continue our mission. We are opposed to asking our students to sell merchandise to aid the group. We feel such efforts detract from our educational efforts. There are several ways to help: look for our donation drums at concerts; stop by our booth at local fairs; buy your groceries at Busch's Fresh Food Market with your MyWay card; shop at Kroger's Supermarket with a Plus card; and consider "in-kind" donations of tangible supplies or useful materials like reeds, strings, copier paper, or pencils - it all makes a positive difference! Also, musical instruments are gratefully accepted as donations! Is there a vintage instrument of some kind or another hiding tucked away in a dusty closet somewhere? Does the attic hold a forgotten but venerable old instrument from yesteryear just waiting to be picked up and played again? All these wonderful instruments could be given new life in the hands of an appreciative young musician who will grow with it and become "one of tomorrow's leaders today," thanks to your generosity. Just can't bear to part with that ol' favorite instrument? That's ok—bring it to class and come join us! Click the button below to learn more about other ways to lend a hand and help NHME.
Best Music Lessons



Founding Director

Donald S. Dobrosky Sr.

Donald S. "Doby" Dobrosky, Sr., founder and director, passed away at his home in November 2021 with his friends and family by his side.  Donald earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees, one in economics from Lake Forest College and another in music from Skidmore College.  Mr. Dobrosky performed with the Nutley Symphony, the Montclair Symphony, the Skaneateless Summer Band, and even with his own dance band at local clubs and venues.  A Naval Reserve bandsman, he directed the Naval Air Technical Training Center Band in Memphis.  Doby served as a percussion specialist with Lenawee Schools, as staff percussionist for the Croswell Opera House, as principal with the Lenawee Pops Orchestra, and as founder of the Tecumseh Pops Orchestra.  He also directed the pit orchestra at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, conducted the Saline Players, appeared with the Ann Arbor Light Opera, and performed with the Dexter Community Band.  "If there was one thought I would leave with my students, it is: never lose your ability to dream."

Book Excerpt



Founding Director

Katherine Johnson

Ms. Katherine O. Johnson, co-founder, director, and board advisor, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Swathmore College and a Bachelor's degree in Music from University of Michigan majoring in choral education and piano.  She also studied theatre at Cornell for two years. Kathe teaches piano privately, performs on organ, plays ‘cello, and strums bluegrass guitar.  She has worked extensively with area theatre groups, jazz ensembles, and even a rock band.  Ms. Johnson currently sings with the Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale.

Favorite Facets



Ensemble Director

Donna V. Smith

Ms. Donna V. Smith is a third-generation, professional musician involved in violin and viola performance since the age of six. As a young child, she participated in her first orchestra at Interlochen Arts Academy. Ms. Smith credits her mother as her first music teacher starting Donna on piano as a preschooler. Donna’s mom earned a Masters in Music at University of Michigan. When studying music and orchestral conducting at U of M under Ms. Elizabeth A. H. Green (published author and today’s foremost authority on modern conducting), Donna discovered she had the same conducting instructor as her mother! Ms. Donna earned a Bachelor’s Degree in music education from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from George Fox University in Oregon. She enjoys playing, performing, and teaching violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, lute, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, trumpet, horn, trombone, saxophone, and even bassoon! Ms. Smith founded the Lakewood String Quartet, coached Malaika Strings in Nairobi, Kenya, and competed in the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest in Weizer, Idaho. With unique experiences and perspectives in both music and psychology, Ms. Smith brings a practical, person-based approach to interacting with and instructing musicians of all skill levels including those of special ability. Her youngest student began at age three and played complete songs using a bow by age four. Donna trained in the Suzuki Method for strings and also performs regularly at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Fun Fact!   Banjo!




Ensemble Director

Brian Gorski
Mr. Brian Gorski is a professional musician involved in many of our local community's arts programs. In addition to NHME's wind and percussion ensembles, Mr. Brian directs the Adrian City Band, the country's second-oldest continuously active community band. As a guest clinician and freelance musician, Brian works with many area music programs throughout Ohio and Southeast Michigan.  Mr. Brian also teaches music and instrumental lessons privately for students.   A graduate in music performance from Eastern Michigan University, he performs on tuba (really well) with the award-winning and internationally-acclaimed Five Lakes Silver Band and with the Tecumseh Pops Community Orchestra.  Brian can also be found in the orchestra pit ensembles playing for musical theater productions at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts and the Croswell Opera House.  Mr. Gorski holds professional affiliations with the Association of Concert Bands (ACB), the International Tuba and Euphonium Association (ITEA), and the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA).  He serves on the Board of Directors for the Five Lakes Silver Band, for the River Raisin Ragtime Review, and previously served on the board for LSM Performing Arts, Inc.  Brian also does graphic design, web design, video and audio production, and other related services in the music field such as custom arrangements for instrumental music and voice ensembles with BGTuba Concepts.  Brian also takes on active leadership roles at two of his local churches by serving on several committees and assisting their Sunday morning music & worship services.  Regarding his longtime association with NHME, Mr. Brian says, "I absolutely love being the director, encouraging young people, and still being inspired [myself]!"



Collaborative Pianist

Michelle Ding

Ms. Michelle Ding is a concert pianist and opera singer known for her versatility in both mediums. Ms. Michelle has graciously served as Collaborative Pianist with NHME since 2022. Her recent performances include Ottavia in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Suzuki’s attendant in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, Public Opinion in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, Madame de la Grande Bouche in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and an ensemble dancer in Wizard of Oz. From 2017 to 2019, she played with The Greater Lansing Community Concert Series as the concert pianist. Ms. Michelle performed the Yellow River Concerto at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in 2016 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in Perugia in 2015. She was the orchestra pianist for Calarts Orchestra and New Century Players under the guidance of David Rosenboom from 2012 to 2014. Michelle earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance in 2019 and a Master’s Degree in Vocal Arts in 2020 from Michigan State University. 2016, she won a Charles Fisher scholarship and attained a Master’s Degree in Music, Piano Performance, at University of Michigan. Ms. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Piano Performance from California Institute of the Arts under the Colburn Foundation early music scholarship program.



Program Director

Dave Rennie

David Rennie is our administrative assistant taking care of all things monotonous and mundane. A lifelong, amateur musician of little distinction, Dave sings baritone unremarkably and plays almost all the instruments with equal mediocrity. Often described as a dilettante of the arts and jack of no trades, our defacto factotum can be found taking out the rubbish as janitor, fixing a leaky faucet as plumber, or repairing a broken horn as minor tinkerer in residence. A grateful beneficiary of Doby & Kathe’s vision, Dave happily fulfills the roles of Registered Agent and Board Representative with state authorities for NHME. He also functions as a third-string, backup, substitute conductor whenever our regular directors must be absent, earning him the moniker “semiconductor.”




So what exactly is NHME?

Doby & Kathe

Although we use terminology familiar to educational establishments and structure our service similar to academic environments, NHME is not strictly a school, private or otherwise. Grades, report cards, or transcripts are not recorded or given, and credit may or may not be awarded by other institutions for participating in NHME's programs. NHME is not in it for profit-making either, even though we strive to be business-like and professional in all of our operations. We're also not a collection of tutoring services, although our directors and instructors individually may be qualified to tutor. While neither a professional association promulgating standards nor an academy establishing set pedagogy, NHME's methodology nonetheless has become a model for other organizations across the nation. We do things other educators say can't be done, and we accomplish what competing groups say is unattainable. Indeed, our students achieve competent, early-college skill sets and proficiency levels after only a few years. Many of our former musicians now perform professionally. NHME is a collection of civically inclined and musically-minded volunteers. We provide an opportunity for pupils outside of traditional public or private school settings to play, perform, and grow in a musical ensemble setting—an avenue of artistic expression and intellectual study not normally available to this underserved body of students. NHME enlists the area's top professionals in creating the best possible learning experience. Our leaders engage our students with expert guidance and thoughtful mentorship. NHME accomplishes its mission at a cost comparatively lower than other groups or methods. Our ensembles present performances and concerts admission free to the public as a service to our communities. NHME is, therefore, a certified nonprofit, tax exempt, licensed corporate entity with recognized charitable status. NHME draws funding solely from donations, grants, and member contributions. We're parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and guardians just like you looking for ways to help our children grow into the best possible, future versions of themselves. We believe we're preparing tomorrow's leaders today through music. We strive to provide the highest quality, musical-ensemble experiences at a price point affordable to our homeschooling families. Our motto: Excellence! First learned in music and later incorporated into habits, excellence becomes not just an act, but an approach to life's pursuits guaranteeing success in any endeavor or enterprise.

   Enroll Now!   Ensemble Descriptions

What's the "N" for?

String Orchestra 2018

We often get asked about the “National” part of our name. How can NHME be a national organization with only a few locations in southeast Michigan? The short answer is: we dream big! Our original families and founding directors envisioned a multitudinous network of homeschool musical ensembles sprouting up and thriving together all across our great, fruited plain. To that extent, this vision has largely been realized. New, independent groups spring up spontaneously every year, and former satellite organizations branch out on their own into exciting, new directions. NHME and other pioneering ensembles have successfully exported their ideas all around the map. Rather than a hierarchical structure of franchises, the homeschool music community has become a wonderfully collaborative framework for sharing innovations, solutions, and encouragements. Thank you Doby, Kathe, and all of our friends in homeschool music-making!