Orlando School of Music

     A native of Ft. Myers Florida, Jeremiah’s musical background has been diverse.
Originally an oboist at the inception of his musical study, the crux of his performance focus has been around jazz under the tutelage of his mentor Dan Miller (trumpet for Harry Connick Jr.). He has performed in All State Bands in middle school, with pianist Marcus Roberts at Florida State University – where St. John obtained his undergraduate degree – Trombones de Costa Rica at the University of Central Florida, and as seasonal musician at the Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
     The focus of his development has been largely around the improvisations of Charlie Parker, J. J. Johnson, Curtis Fuller, Miles Davis, and others, but his interests also span into the pedagogical realm of trombone performance. His classical repertoire has been refined under the direction of Luis Fred (Puerto Rico Conservatory) at Central Florida, and he has since enjoyed forays into teaching trombone performance, most recently with Colonial High School’s marching band for their 2018-2019 season, as well as the All-State Jazz Prep clinic, hosted at Central Florida Performing Arts Center.
He is currently seeking to complete his Master’s in trombone performance and works frequently around the greater Orlando area as a freelance musician.

Voice and Beginning Piano

Hailey is originally from Northern California, and has enjoyed living in Central Florida since 2014. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree Music from Rollins College with a concentration in Voice. She got the bug for teaching her Junior year of college in a Vocal Pedagogy course, and has been teaching students ever since. Hailey is passionate about teaching others music in a way that reaches them. Each person is unique and has different needs when entering music lessons. Her goal is to assess each individual's particular gifts and skillsets, see their potential as artists and musicians, and encourage and support them to grow towards their goals. She specialize in teaching voice, and has experience in classical, musical theater, and Jazz performance. 

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.

CELLO, DRUMS, PERCUSSION

David Herzog received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 2009 from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fl.  Since then, he has taught for 7 years in Brevard County at one of the nation's top schools as ranked by publications like USA today and the Washington Post in terms of rigor, test scores and college preparedness/acceptance.  That “A” school is Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School in Merritt Island.  While he was there from 2009-2016 he taught orchestra and choir, and one year of A.P. Music Theory for a class of 18 students of which he helped them achieve a 100% passing rate.  Since that time, he has gone back to school at UCF where he is working on his Master's Degree in Music (with a focus on conducting with Dr. Laszlo Marosi), and he plays the cello in the excellent UCF Symphony Orchestra.  David currently conducts a church choir at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Titusville where he has been for the past six years.  He also enjoys playing and collecting many different types of instruments (especially drums, ask him about his plentiful plethora of percussion...).

Lyric Baritone, Mr. Michael is an active performer, private voice teacher, choral conductor, and organist in the Orlando Metro. He is known for his interpretation and knowledge of Arts Songs, German Lied, and his Musical Theater performances. Raised in Winter Park, Mr. Michael has frequently performed with numerous ensembles and orchestras throughout the South East. Including the Knoxville Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, First United Methodist Church, Orlando, Oakland Presbyterian Church, and the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, Orlando. Current notable solo performances include: Vaugh Williams’ “Five Mystical Songs”, Mack Wilberg’s “Requiem”, Finzi’s “In terra pax”, and the role of Anthony from Sondheim’s “Sweeny Todd”.

Michael is currently the Director of Music and Worship Arts at Oakland Presbyterian Church, Oakland, FL. Previously, he has taught Choral Music for Orange County Public Schools and is the former Chorus Master for the University of Tennessee Opera Theater and Choral Departments. As a teacher he has taught students from elementary through adults, from basic musical concepts to abstract 20th century a-tonal analysis. Michael has serviced as a church musician at several large churches in the South and as a clinician or soloist for several music festivals.

In May of 2012 he received the degree of Master of Music in Choral Conducting as the Edward T. Hamilton conducting scholar from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor’s degree is in Vocal Performance as a scholarship student from UTK and Florida State University.

Michaels vision statement his students: “To educated, inspire and create passionate well rounded musicians.”

Colleen graduated from Maryville College and obtained her Master of Music degree from Northwestern University specializing in piano pedagogy. Colleen is experienced in teaching in both group and private settings. From her studies and years of experience, she has developed her own holistic style of teaching wherein each student is unique and no one method is the answer. For beginners, Colleen favors the step-by-step approach she finds in both Frances Clark (The Music Tree) and Randall and Jane Faber (Piano Adventures). She maintained a successful piano studio in Birmingham, AL for over 20 years. After establishing herself as a piano teacher, Colleen was inspired to study the “Taubman Approach” which guides students to play with more ease and confidence. It is her mission to plant and cultivate the musical ability within all students to form a complete musician. Colleen grew up in the Philippines. In 2013 she was able to travel back and share her passion for piano study. Colleen most recently taught both general music classes and piano classes at the Straz Performing Arts Center in Tampa, FL.

Gabrielle Pitchford, soprano, received a Bachelor of Arts from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida where she studied voice with soprano, Arisa Kusumi, and German, and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she studied with mezzo-soprano, Clara O’Brien.  

Feeling most comfortable on the stage and in front of an audience, Gabrielle has enjoyed a life of performing in recitals, and opera. Participating in competitions, school productions, and community events, Gabrielle placed 3rd in her division at NATS in 2014, has performed the roles of Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, Morgana in Alcina as part of a scenes production at Rollins College, has played the role of Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica, and Pamina in The Magic Flute with the Vienna Summer Music Festival, Pamina in The Magic Flute for the Opera at The Carolina's outreach program, and First Lady in The Magic Flute with UNCG Opera. In addition to opera productions, Gabrielle loves programming and singing in recitals. At the completion of her Masters degree, she performed a recital comprised of all female composers ranging from the Baroque to present day.

Gabrielle has studied extensively in Europe, learning German as a second language, and studying with world-renowned coaches, teachers, and conductors, including vocal coach Daniel Sarge, and conductor Christian Schultz. Having a diverse experience in training both in the States and abroad, Gabrielle uses this hybrid of vocal technique to teach what she has found to be the most effective from all areas of her training. Having a passion for teaching and singing, Gabrielle enthusiastically works with all her students to help them produce the most healthy, beautiful sound possible to communicate and express effectively. Recently settling down in the Orlando area, Gabrielle is excited to be working as an adjunct voice professor at Seminole State College and can’t wait to meet with her students at Orlando School of Music!

My name is Mikayla Lancieri. As I watched my sister take lessons for year, I began learning violin at the age of 4. My love for music continued into high school, when I found that I had a passion for teaching. I began to teach violin at the age of 13 to a few of my friends and neighbors. Word spread rapidly, and I was able to obtain quite a few students before graduating high school. I was very excited to continue my education in Music Performance at Stetson University in 2015. I then changed my major to Mathematics at UCF, but my love for teaching a music has remained. I still play with orchestras, including a mentoring orchestra, The Academy Orchestra, and on occasion, for different churches and memorable events. I look forward to working you all new students!!

Guitar and Beginning Piano

Melinda Wilson, MT-BC has been a Board Certified Music Therapist since 2008. She is a vocalist and guitarist with many years of experince providing music therapy and adapted music lessons for individuals with special needs. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Therapy from California State University Northridge. She also is an experinced music instructor for young children, and teaches beginner piano, voice and guitar lessons for preschool and elementary school aged children. 

Begining to Advanced Piano 

Christina is currently a percussionist in the University of Central Florida Percussion Studio pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance. Christina graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Fl with a focus on classical percussion and jazz drum set. During her years at Douglas Anderson, she studied with Kevin Garry, percussionist and drum set player for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Christina has had the privilege of performing in Carnegie Hall twice and toured Europe and the East Coast with the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. She has been the drum set player in the pit orchestra for two musicals at Douglas Anderson, Ragtime and Violet, as well as multiple performances of Godspell, Spring Awakening, and It’s A Wonderful Life with Apex Theatre Studio, and Heathers with Limelight Theater. Christina held the role of principal percussionist in the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and had the privilege of performing with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra during her time there. She currently performs regularly with UCF percussion, symphonic, and jazz ensembles. Christina also continues to play drums every Sunday at her church in Jacksonville. She plans to obtain her masters and doctorate degrees in music and continue to pursue her dream of playing percussion and drum set professionally around the world.

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.

 Madison Czarnecki is a Florida native who actively performs in the Central Florida area under multiple styles of music. She has a Music degree from Seminole State College (AA) and is continuing her studies currently at Rollins College (BA) in Music Performance. Madison has been a private flute instructor in the local area for years and loves sharing her knowledge with others. Madison also enjoys performing with the Rollins College Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Flute Choir.

Jason Kaplan is an active performer and educator in the Orlando area. As a performer, Kaplan is versed in many different styles of music. He has experience playing in pit orchestras, corporate bands, and jazz ensembles.  He has collaborated with many artists, most notably – Scotty Barnhart, Carmen Bradford, Tim Warfield, the Atlanta Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Piano Men, Almost Elton John, and the Tallahassee Symphony Jazz Orchestra. Kaplan has also studied classical clarinet. Kaplan served as the Clarinet soloist for the FSU Jazz Ensemble and Tallahassee Community Choir’s collaborative performance of the music from Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts.
 

Kaplan graduated in 2017 with a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Florida State University, where he served as a Graduate Assistant teaching private lessons, jazz improvisation, and jazz combos. In addition to his saxophone studies at Florida State, Kaplan received his Undergraduate degree from Kennesaw State University in 2015, where he studied with Sam Skelton and pianist Tyrone Jackson.

Kaplan possesses extensive knowledge of clarinet pedagogy, saxophone pedagogy, music theory, and jazz improvisation. He regularly maintains a full studio of both clarinet and saxophone students. In addition, he has done instrument demonstrations, clinics, and masterclasses in local public schools.  Jason has extensive experience teaching all ages and ability levels.

Teaches all level of Drums and Beginning Piano!

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

Thomas started to play the clarinet when he was in fourth grade being taught by his father who was a clarinet player. Both of his grandfathers also played clarinet. Thomas grew up in the Orlando area graduating from Freedom High School. While in high school Thomas was a member of the Orange County All-County band and Florida All-State band on numerous occasions. Upon completing high school Thomas attended Florida State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude under the direction of Dr. Deborah Bish and Dr. Jonathan Holden. Thomas attended one year of graduate school at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with James Campbell and is currently finishing his graduate studies at the University of Central Florida under the direction of Keith Koons. Thomas is currently a freelance musician in the Orlando area and has made appearances with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra.

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 with a minor on Performing Arts Administration 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 and is currently part of the Wind Ensemble, UCF Clarinet Choir and the New Music Ensemble.         

Ms. Julia's love for the arts and music began when she started taking violin lessons at the age of five. She has studied violin with some of the most prestigious violinists in Florida, including Dr. Ayako Yonetani, Routa Kromovitch, and Dr. John Enyart. She has performed at a variety of venues, such as: the Dr. Phillips Center with the UCF Symphony Orchestra, The Grand Ole Opry with the Annie Moses Band, and all around South Florida with the Academy Orchestra. In high school, she began broadening her horizons and learning other instruments such as viola, piano, mandolin, and guitar. She also studied a variety of genres such as bluegrass from Darol Anger, Celtic fiddle with Hanneke Cassel, jazz violin from Zach Brock, and Mediterranean music from Mike Block. She began teaching one, single private violin lesson from her home in her junior year of high school. By senior year, she had developed a small studio of about 12 students, learning violin, viola, and piano. Her students went on to win first and second places in regional and state competitions. She graduated from University of Central Florida, with a Bachelors of Music Performance.

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.

Piano
Brielle, who is currently completing her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Central Florida, began piano in May 2003. Piano is her passion and she greatly enjoys sharing her aspiration with students enrolling at Broadway Music Academy. Under the guidance of accomplished college music professors, Brielle has acquired many skills and techniques for teaching both short and long term development of piano goals and objectives. Brielle is the pianist for an area church and continues to provide instrumental music for weddings, funerals, plays and skits. Brielle is focused on creating enjoyment of music for her students along with providing tools to progress in piano techniques and performance.

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.

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

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. ”

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!

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!