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MR. FRANKLIN

Director of Fine Arts

A native of Swannanoa, North Carolina, Mr. Franklin holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Appalachian State University, and a Master of Divinity from Mercer McAfee School of Theology.

In the decade after college, Mr. Franklin went on to perform in cities across the United States, mostly in opera but also in musicals and large concert works. Some of his favorite roles were Papageno in The Magic Flute, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Germnont in La Traviata, and Elijah in Elijah. Mr. Franklin left his singing career for business so he could be closer to home for his wife and growing family. He later returned to music as interim worship leader at Wieuca Road Baptist Church. There he realized that his passion was for music and inspiring young people to appreciate it.

A few years ago, Mr. Franklin read Plato’s republic. One section had a profound impact on how he views the importance of fine arts:

“And therefore, I said, Glaucon, musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated graceful, or of him who is ill-educated ungraceful: and also because he who has received this true education of the inner being will most shrewdly perceive omissions or fault in art and nature, and with a true taste, while he praises and rejoices over and receives into his soul the good, and becomes noble and good, he will justify blame and hate the bad, now in the days of his youth, even before he will recognize and salute the friend with whom his education has made him long familiar.”

Mr. Franklin strives to be a life-long learner, not just in the area of music, but in all disciplines. He is also the coach of the boys varsity basketball team which has grown tremendously over the past few years. He hopes to model that participation in athletics and fine arts, and a love for both, leads a person to a well-rounded life.

The mission of Atlanta Classical Academy is to develop graduates in mind and character through a classical, content-rich curriculum that emphasizes the principles of virtuous living, traditional learning, and civic responsibility.