Avalon School of Music Staff Bios, Orlando, FL | Music School near me in Orlando, FL

Cordelia

beginning piano - great with young students.

Queen

Piano and Voice

Lauren S.

Voice, Piano, and Ukulele Teacher

Keila

Voice and piano

Leonela

Ana Luisa

voice - all levels, piano - young beginner only, ukulele - up to intermediate

Paula

violin - up to late intermediate (young teacher)

Juan

James

Drums, Piano & Electric Bass

Vincent

Leon

piano - advanced all levels, but specializes in jazz and gospel.

Zachary

Violin, Suzuki Group Violin Ages 4 and up, and beginning Piano (has certifications in Early Childhood Education

Ana Maria

Vernay

Eugene

Amy

Lazar

Beginner Electric guitar, Beginning-Intermediate Acoustic, Beginner Ukulele, Beginner Piano

Andrew

Maggie

Anna

Brianna

Kathleen

Jacob

Kayla

Patricia

John Anthony

Jessica

Elizabeth

Adrienne

Jose Luis

Paolo

Savanna

Voice and Beginning Piano

Sunny

Lorena

Ray

Residing in Oviedo FL, Ray is a 2021 graduate from the Florida State University College of Music in Commercial Music, Business, and Music Entrepreneurship. He has taught Guitar for ten years to students of all ages and skill levels, performing in local rock bands and in his high school jazz band. In his time at FSU, he was the Bass Guitarist for the Seminole Sound basketball band, a Clarinet player for the world-renowned Marching Chiefs, as well as a Drummer and Singer for the FSU Rock Ensemble. His degree gives him a unique insight into the technical workings of music recording and production, and he does freelance Mixing and Mastering services. In addition to Guitar, he is also teaches Drum set, Bass Guitar, Piano, and Bassoon.

Isaac

Nicholas

Vioin, Bass and Beginning Piano

Oxana

Carlos H

Nicole

Voice and Piano (Beginning/Intermediate) Instructor

Gabriela

Begining Piano and Voice

Chris

Joe G.

All levels and styles of guitar and beginning piano

Royniel

Piano, Guitar, and Bass Guitar
Music has been my passion for many years. To be a musician is a privilege for the society of arts, it's even more of a privilege to share my gift of music with students of all ages to progress musically and be intrigued in all the intellectual and physical benefits that music can provide. Throughout all of High School, I was involved in various musical ensembles such as Jazz bands, Pit orchestras, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensembles, Trios, Duets, Choirs, Soloing, Improvisation, Big Band and more. I've had the privilege to audition for all county Jazz band and make it as a member of the rhythm section playing string bass and bass guitar. Due to my great involvements in the musical world, I was awarded the Woody Herman Jazz Award 2017, and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award 2018. Up to present time, I am still involved in individual ensembles and continue to learn every day. It will be more than a pleasure to share my appreciation for music and the musical arts

Martin

Lauren P.

Lauren is currently a student in the University of Central Florida Percussion Studio pursuing a degree in Music Education. She graduated in 2017 from University High School in Orlando, Florida which is now currently a magnet school for the musical arts. Her music performance experience consists of the UCF symphonic band and wind ensemble, UCF percussion ensemble, UCF Black Steel, Ancient City Ensemble for indoor drumline, marching band, and many more. She also has experience of recording music videos with The Grid Book Series(a company with a large emphasis on percussion education), UCF, University High School, and Full Sail University. Lauren is currently a percussion instructor at Colonial High School and has experience teaching ages 4-12 from her time volunteering at the Orlando Drum Camp over the summer. She was also awarded Most Valuable Player in Ancient City Ensemble and Best Percussionist at University High School in 2017.

Lauren’s passion has always been playing music and teaching students. Her goal in the future is to be a music teacher or a band director after graduating from UCF and also might consider getting a Masters degree in music as well.

Isabel

David

Melinda

Melinda has been an active musician for ten years, and is proficient in voice, piano, and clarinet. She is currently a student at Rollins College, studying music education. Although she's still in school, she has been actively teaching within her church, and has been teaching privately for four years now. Melinda has a love for all students, no matter where they are in their musical journey, and is excited to expand and enrich the lives of others studying music.

Isabella

Jacob

Yaeli

Shavon

Voice, Ukulele, and Beginning Piano

Thomas

Tommy De Martino is a seasoned and accredited veteran of performing and teaching with over 40 years of successful and progressive experience in all aspects of drumming and percussion. A drummer who has toured with several bands on the East Coast circuit and has recorded with artists such as Brian Tarquin, Emile Menasche (Speak the Language), John Montaldo (Significant Others).

Tommy focuses on sight reading and teaching students the art of rudimental drumming, building hand technique and how to approach the drum kit. He teaches all genres of music such as Rock, Funk, Jazz, Latin, Fusion, Hip-Hop, R&B and linear drumming.

Tommy is a member of the National Association of Rudimental Drumming (N. A. R. D.) which he received while attending Miami Dade College. He also attended Drummers Collective in NYC, where he studied with Mike Clark.

Advanced percussion students can also have the unique opportunity to study with Tommy. Students receive true pro mentoring and are given weekly exercises and extensive knowledge of the drum kit. Tommy also teaches the fine art of hand percussion such as conga and bongos along with various percussion instruments.

Robert

Guitar and Beginning Piano

Maria

Maria Picado is one of our Assistant Managers and occasionally teaches the clarinet. She is originally from San Jose, Costa Rica, where she started her clarinet studies at the age of 13, in a community school of music in Aserri; after two years, Maria won her first job at the age of 15, playing first clarinet in the local government band. She also participated in the Festival Internacional Costarricense de Clarinetes 2015.

In September of 2015 she moved to United States to continue her high school and musical studies, she was first chair of the Concert and Symphonic band at Colonial High School. During her time there, she participated twice in the Solo and Ensemble Competition, performing the Second and Third movement of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto Kv. 622. In which she earned Superior rating at the County Competition, taking those to the State Competition and earning Superior with Distinction. She also participated in Festival of Winds at USF for two consecutive years, she was also a member of the Orange County Honor Band and the Youth Band of Orlando. During her high school years, she studied with Nikolay Blagov, the principal clarinetist from the Orlando Philharmonic.

Currently, she is getting her Bachelor’s degree on Clarinet Performance at the University of Central Florida, studying with Dr. Keith Koons. Maria was principal of the Symphonic Band, she was also a member of the Marching Knights, Jammin’ Knights, UCF Clarinet Choir and is currently part of the Wind Ensemble, and the New Music Ensemble.

Daniela

Kaley

Miles

Raheem

Adam

Piano (Beginning to advanced Intermediate)/Drums (all Levels)/Guitar (Beginning Levels)

Adam Milan has been with us teaching since 2004, making him among the longest-teaching instructors at both the Avalon School of Music and East Orlando School of Music! Adam tailors every lesson to fit the learning style of each student, and he strives mold his students into well-rounded musicians. In addition to using method books, Adam teaches special tricks, tips, and methods not found in traditional material. He also encourages students to bring songs to the lesson that they’re interested in learning. Adam is open to all genres of music, and has instructed hundreds of students throughout his career on styles ranging from Classical, Jazz, Contemporary, Pop, to Rock, Christian, and Latin music. He also teaches song-writing, improvisation, and helps the student develop an excellent musical ear. Adam has years of performance experience under his belt and has performed with bands such as Curb 60, Stone Throw, The Radio Suitcase, 86Cheese, The Brett Lieberman Project, Classic Albums Live, The Tina Nicole Band, and Bob Greene. He also performs with the Oktoberfest Musikanten at the German Pavilion in EPCOT, and plays guitar, piano, and drums for the nationally-touring band Europa. He also recently recorded and released his solo album entitled “Looking For” which can be found on his website www.adammilanmusic.com. Adam is a classically-trained pianist/percussionist with extensive instruction from world-class teachers such as Vierka Kleinova, Mark Golberg, and Danny Gottlieb to name a few. Adam also studied music and earned his degree from Valencia College in Orlando, FL. Today, Adam takes all of his experience and applies it to every lesson he teaches. In addition, his dedication, patience, knowledge, and love for music makes Adam Milan the perfect teacher for your son, daughter, friend, loved one, or maybe even YOU! Call to set up a trial lesson today!

Haley

Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass. AN

Andrew

Clarinet
Andrew is currently a student at the University of Central Florida completing his undergraduate degree in music education. In his time there he has studied under the guidance of Dr. Keith Koons. Andrew has been playing the clarinet for over ten years and has had the privilege of playing in several honor bands such as The All County and Intercollegiate Band as well as being a part of the UCF Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra.

Artemis

Piano/Beginning-Intermediate Violin

**Bilingual Spanish**

Artemis Tursi Otaiza started her musical studies at a very early age at the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. She received her degree as Performing Pianist and Music Educator after a vast number of solo performances including concertos for piano and orchestra, ensemble and choral accompanying, and work as a piano instructor. She was a member of the Youth Symphony Orchestra as a violin player. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree, Magna Cum Laude in Piano Performance from the renowned school of music at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN under the instruction of Maestro Zadel Skolowsky. She continued her professional development as the piano accompanist for the Ballet School at the Indiana University receiving the invitation to be the pianist for the ballet school and performances for the summer programs in Vermont. She received her Master’s Degree, Magna Cum Laude in Piano Performance from Indiana University where she was also assigned as one of the Assistant Instructors for the Theory of Music and Piano departments. She completed her Doctoral academic work from the University of Miami in Piano Performance.
Ms. Artemis Otaiza has also worked as a private piano instructor, music teacher and organist at Blessed Trinity Church in Miami, FL and Good Shepherd Church in Orlando, FL for the last 30 years. She has travelled to New York and Europe as the piano accompanist for the Miami Choral Society, including performances at the Carnegie Hall.

Bryan

Guitar (all levels), Electric Bass (beginner-intermediate), Rock Shop

Bryan Mays teaches beginning to advanced level guitar in a wide range of styles. Over the past 15 years as a guitar instructor, he has shown a true passion for the development of all his students. His teaching style is unique in that he customizes his teaching methods to each student’s individual needs and interests while instilling strong music fundamentals. He teaches Rock (& sub-genres), Blues, Jazz/Fusion, Funk, R&B, Reggae, Classical (finger style), and others. Bryan graduated Magna Cum Laude from the world renowned Berklee College of Music (Boston) in 2007 with a degree in Contemporary Music Performance. In addition Bryan teaches Jazz improvisation, music theory, composition, and arranging to intermediate to advanced level students of all instruments.

Colby

Drums, Guitar (Acoustic & Electric),Piano (Beginning)

Colby started teaching professionally at the age of 19 and has since taught over 2,500 drum lessons of all levels to students ranging from 5-80 years old. Through his years of teaching, Colby has learned that connecting with the student is vital for a successful private lesson experience and passionately strives to do so every time he sets foot in the teaching room. As a musician, Colby was a founding member of original groups Phoenix Falling and Galia Social. He has recorded with Brett Hestla (Framing Hanley), Lee Dyess (From First To Last, Mayday Parade), and most recently Tom Denney (A Day To Remember, Pierce The Veil). He has also played with numerous cover acts and played his first corporate event at the age of 16. In 2011, Colby was the Sam Ash “Best In Drums” runner up for the state of Florida. He is currently writing for the debut Galia Social EP and recording demos for his solo project, Cloudless.

David

Guitar, Bass Guitar
David's musical journey began when he fell in love with the sounds of the guitar at age 10. Originally a die-hard rocker, David's extensive listening habits led him to explore many different styles of music, eventually leading him to study at Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music. There he was afforded an intense exposure to jazz and classical along with a variety of more modern progressive music.

After completing his studies at Berklee, Dave landed in New York City where he used his writing and arranging skills to drive his band and solo performance as well as providing his students with well rounded lessons.

Relocating to central Florida over twenty years ago, David continues to enjoy teaching, performing, and recording. He can be heard almost any weekend with Florida's busiest blues/rock band “Mud Rooster,” or playing a solo gig either as a singer/guitarist or as an instrumental guitarist.

Erin

Piano, Guitar, Ukelele & Voice
Erin Wagoner is a Rollins College graduate with B.A. in Vocal Performance. She has been singing and performing for most of her life. Aside from a passion for teaching, Erin also enjoys writing her own music and frequently performs at small local venues. Erin participates regularly in community theatre as well, and has recently begun performing in the local stand-up comedy circuit. Erin has experience working in vocal styles that include jazz, pop, musical theater, and classical. In addition to her skills as a singer, Erin also plays piano, guitar, and ukulele.

Greg

Greg Zabel has been involved with music since about eight years old, beginning with piano. Playing the trumpet and guitar in various ensembles throughout middle and high school, he eventually landed on the upright bass in the tenth grade. Greg studied bass under Richard Drexler (jazz) and Michael Hill (classical) at the University of Central Florida and was the bassist for the Flying Horse Big Band and the Jazz Workshop led by Jeff Rupert. In addition he has performed with the UCF Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band. After graduations, Greg spent twenty-one months touring the U.S., Canda and Japan as the bassist for the Glen Miller Orchestra. Comfortable on both upright and electric basses, Greg has played gigs with the likes of Marty Morell, Nicholas Rodriguez, and Davis Gaines. He can be seen performing at Orlando venues such as Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, the Timucua Arts White House, and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.

Henry

Henry Spears has been teaching at The Avalon School of Music since 2018.

Humberto

Latin American Guitar, Classical Guitar, and Tiple from Columbia.
Humberto was born in Colombia and his musical studies was realized in the Music School ''Pedro Morales Pino" of Cartago Columbia and in the Arts Faculty of the University of Antioquia in Colombia. He has realized presentations as guitarist in different places and in some television and radio programs in Columbia and in The United States.
He is a Classical, Classical- Popular, Modern, and Latin American Guitar Player; He has also played his own musical transcriptions with which he identifies himself with.
For 25 years he is dedicated to the music teaching part with children, youngsters, and adults and has complimented his activities with the musical accompaniment of groups and festivals.
Humberto has been certified by the United States as a Music Teacher .
Finally, Humberto said , “Discipline and love for what we do, leads us to obtain good results. ”

Jean Carlos

Piano, Cuatro, Ukulele, Guitar (Beginner), Voice

**Bilingual Spanish**

Jean Carlos was born in the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela in 1980. He has a bachelors in music, bachelors in education, and masters in music with composition emphasis. He studied piano and musical language in the Jose Luiz Paz music conservatory (Venezuela). Jean Carlos has received numerous awards and honorific acknowledgments as a composer, musical producer, and teacher. He has taught harmony, counterpoint, and musical analysis at university level. As a manager he has developed, administrated, conceptualized, executed, and supervised artistic and cultural projects. Jean Carlos has developed investigation works that have been exposed in countries including Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Brazil, Spain and Venezuela. He Is also a co-author of two specialized books of popular music in Venezuela.

Joe S.

Piano
Originally born and raised in N.Y.C., Joe has a successful music career that extends back to the 60's performing in the ski-loges of Vermont, with a band called “Trans Atlantic Stagecoach”. By the 70's he was a member of Joey Dee and the Starliters. During that time, he enjoyed the pleasure of backing up and working with many famous 50's + 60's acts, Including Dick Clark, the Drifters, the Coasters, the Platters and many more! In the 1980's Joe led the band that was called “the Starliters” and made the transformation into a power trio known as “Curiosity”, a small group with a big sound! They did very well in Atlantic City, Aruba, and up and down the eastern seaboard. In the 1990's Joe made a living as a soloist, and was also the keyboard player for a band called “Pleasure” that worked at the Kookaburra lounge of Lake Buena Vista. In recent years, He's performed with a local, and quite successful band call “Cut and Dry”, and throughout nearly all of this, he was the bandleader/businessman, keyboard player, lead vocalist, and front man. At the start of the Millennium, he was employed at Universal's Islands of Adventure, where he worked for a full season as the audio tech' for the Beach Bash 2001 show. In fact, was instrumental in the creation of the SOP. Form for that event. Joe has also had some acting experience, and he has developed his vocal abilities as well. He's been on TV many times, and he even stared in a commercial for the Concord Hotel/Casino of Aruba. Joe's had a great deal of studio experience singing, playing the keys, and mixing both live and recorded performances. Joe has managed to change with the times in order to have a solid understanding of current professional music/recording hardware/software, and thus he can be helpful in the editing room of almost any studio. Joe Sardone is also an experienced “MC” public speaker, and he's been known to get a crowd motivated to the good when it's called for. While carrying the flag for so many important projects, Joe Sardone has developed very competent leadership skills, and may someday return to Universal Studios, to once again handle the reins of an ASM, or Coordinator/Facilitator with confidence. In 2005, Joe was teaching music, giving piano lessons, and also teaching Chess several days a week at a local private school known as the “Better Way Christian Academy”. To this day, Joe also makes a part-time living through his “Chess oriented” website. At this present time, Joe teaches piano several days a week at the Orlando School of Music. He has also taken on the role of band leader once again, as he carries the flag for a high-caliber Country/Variety band called “The Rustlers ”. Joe would love to have you as a new student at The Orlando School of Music and start learning piano!!

Joy

Piano

Joy Abbad’s journey in music began at the age of six, in the Middle East, when she got a piano keyboard as a gift. Those beginning steps were the foundational steps in leading her to continue this journey all the way to college, where she is currently studying piano at University of Central Florida. Joy traveled to many different parts of the world as she was growing up, and was involved in many choirs and musical activities as well; she is also fluent in both the Arabic and the English language. When she was living in Lebanon, she was a part of a selected choir group known as “CTI Cantores”, and was also learning the piano at the Conservatory of Music located there. Joy was finally able to travel to the United States in the year of 2014 to continue her education in Florida.
At the end of her junior year in high school, Joy experienced her passion in teaching, and decided to take that route as her career. Joy’s main outlook or goal as a teacher is to inspire this generation of students in the art of music, as it is one of the
most beautiful and rewarding skills to learn.

Marina

Voice, Piano (beginner to intermediate)

Mariana became a student at the National Music College in Kiev, Ukraine, in 2007 for the solo singing department. She took part in college concerts with great success. In 2009 Mariana took third place in All-Ukrainian academic solo singing competition “Spiritual sources”. In 2010-2011 Mariana was the Leading voice teacher in music school “Montessori center” Kiev, Ukraine. In 2011 she took first place at International competition “Wings of Music” in Kiev. In 2011 awarded with a Diploma for special contribution for the development of the National Music College. In 2011 she earned a diploma for young music specialist. In 2012 – 2017 Mariane acted as Founder , Director, leading Voice teacher of music studio at the “Free art school”. Her students received awards at all-Ukrainian and international competitions. She conducted many master classes and many school concerts. . In 2012 she became a student at the National Ukrainian Academy of Music for the solo singing department. In 2016 she received her Bachelor's degree from the National Music Academy of Ukraine and in 2017 Graduated from the Ukrainian National Conservatory with a Masters degree in Singing.

Mobile

Nathan

Guitar, Piano (beginner to intermediate), Drums (beginner to intermediate)

Nathan Fraze is a musician that has had a strong musical passion his entire life. Ever since he was born he has had a love for music and musical performance and has been performing since he was 3 years old. When Nathan was in 4th grade he was playing clarinet in his soon to be middle school band. He then went on to learn saxophone, harmonica, guitar, piano, drums, bass guitar, and ukulele but has a proficiency in teaching guitar, piano, and drums. By 6th grade he was in a band performing concerts around the city of St. Pete. He entered a song writing contest and as a 6th grader won 3rd place in the state of Florida grades 6-12. In order to be a better musician, he became the main sound mixer for his high school. He then went on to set up all sound for performances. He has gone on to work with people such as piano teacher and music director Dr. Diane Cardarelli, and Grammy award winning producer Mike Walker helping put on shows and teach childeren how to play and be comfortable performing. Nathan himself started helping people locally learn music and perform together as a band and learn how to mix music professionally for live musicals and concerts. Nathan has done events such as The Hurricane, Valencia College, both helping put on and perform shows, high school benefits and musicals, and weddings. Nathan currently attends UCF studying both music and biomedical science.

Paolo

Paolo Tursi -Drums/Percussion Teaching at The Orlando School of Music

Paolo first encountered his passion for music and percussion as a very young child. As a toddler, he would often pull out pots and pans and play on them with spoons. At the young age of five, he had his first public performance, when he played “The Little Drummer Boy” on his small drum during a Christmas Eve Mass in front of more than 600 people. At the age of ten, Paolo received his first drum set. One year later, he started playing the drums every Sunday at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Two years after that, Paolo was asked to play the drums for a Christian album. After several requests, he decided to start giving drum lessons at the age of 14. By the age of 15, he had won one drum solo competition and placed in two more. During his high school years, he participated in the Colonial High School marching band. As a sophomore, he was chosen to be the percussion section leader, a rank which he kept until his senior year. As a senior, Paolo not only obtained the rank of section leader for his third consecutive year, but also achieved the highest student leadership position: band captain. During his high school musical career, Paolo performed in several different locations, won talent shows, achieved several distinguished superior awards at state competitions, and won prestigious musical awards including the John Phillip Sousa and Louis Armstrong awards. He was also hired to play as part of the pit in multiple local musicals, and even had one of his compositions published by Hamar Percussion Publications. Upon graduating from Colonial, he was immediately asked to be the percussion instructor for their marching band. During his two years as percussion instructor and arranger, the percussion section has achieved superior ratings at exhibitions and competitions nationally. Paolo is currently a student at the University of Central Florida, after having earned scholarships to study music performance. He is pursuing jazz studies for the drum set and continues to teach and perform locally.

William

Piano

Will has been fervently engaged in the study and creation of music since he was five years of age. He has had such a fulfilling experience through the journey that he is filled with the desire to share it with others. He has been active as a musician through the years, advancing to the finals of the National Fine Arts Festival in piano and sax in middle and high school, participating in All-State Concert Band on alto sax, winning the Arts Alive senior scholarship competition in Osceola County on piano, receiving other various awards from festivals and competitions, and being involved in church worship music and gigs around town. He then attended Florida State University on scholarship, majoring in Jazz piano. He continuously wrestled with pursuing classical versus jazz piano, and then decided within his freshman year at FSU to transcend both into studying music composition. After a year of Jazz studies, he changed his major to Composition, and began studying with a composition teacher and classical piano teacher. Staying active in the jazz ensembles, this change allowed him to pursue music holistically, combining all his musical interests in composition, improvisation, rigorous study, and performance. In his senior year he was a finalist in FSU’s Young Artist concerto competition, and has continued to advance his piano studies and practice faithfully. He was awarded his Bachelor of Music degree in Composition in 2014. Will’s primary goal in teaching music is to enrapture every student in a personal and unique love of music. He believes music is an innate passion that anyone can harness through proper education, dedication, and practice. He encourages all of his students to be diligent, to engage personally with the music, and to pay attention to every detail. He makes every attempt to expose the student to new and helpful ideas; tutors them in understanding the music on all levels, including theory, expression, and aesthetic; all while ensuring the development of impeccable technique.

Diego

Thursday

7:30

–

8:30

PM Parent Guitar Group Class

John

I love working with the youth in music and in sports. My goal is to make sure each students gets the best musical training they can so they can achieve greatness in their future/current music programs. I am an alumni of the Colonial high school band program and I’ve performed with all county jazz band and obtained multiple superior ratings in my state/district solo and ensemble performances. Currently I am preforming with the Florida symphony youth jazz orchestra and fulling my role as first chair drummer. I look forward to working with all of my students!

John

Julianna

I uncovered my passion for music when I sang on top of a chair in a restaurant when I was 3 with my dad! From that point on, I was involved in Voice, Piano, Guitar & Drum Lessons, Choir, Musicals in School and Song Writing.

I followed my dream and am now performing in several groups including my own Solo Show "Songs of Women Artist 60/70/80's, Weddings - both Ceremony and Reception, Praise Band at Summit Church, and the International German Folk, Pop & Rock band “Europa”, I cover many Female Artists and write my own originals, with music, lyrics and produce my songs. I also teach at the Avalon School of Music!

I find inspiration all around me and God has touched my heart. I try to make the music I perform my own and make it representative of myself and my generation. Growing up in a musical family, my dad exposed me to all the great female artists of the 60's 70's and 80's that I have incorporated in my show!

I specialize in teaching young beginners on Piano and Voice and can also coach song writing! I look forward to teaching your child and bringing the joy and love of music to all my students!

Nino

Avalon School of Music

Music School in Orlando , FL