Erin Wharton | Clarinet - Oboe Erin Wharton is a graduate of the University of Central Florida where she earned her Bachelor’s in both Music Education and Oboe Performance. She studied with Sherwood Hawkins, 2nd oboist of the Orlando Philharmonic and Principal of the Bach Festival Orchestra. From there she continued her oboe studies at the University of Cincinnati, College- Conservatory of Music where she earned her Masters degree in Oboe Performance and studied with Dr. Mark Ostoich. Erin then moved to New Jersey to attend Rutgers University for one year, to pursue more oboe performance studies where she studied with Matt Sullivan. She has also studied with Jared Hauser at the Hot Springs Music Festival for two summers. Erin is a proficient reed maker and helps her students with reeds in lessons when needed. Erin has taught oboe and reed-making lessons to students for the past 9 years. She prepares students in auditioning for the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, preparing for Solo and Ensemble, performing in the Avalon spring recital, College auditions, and auditions for other programs during the summer or year that students are interested in auditioning for. Erin enjoys teaching music to students whether they use it for personal enjoyment or to further their musical dreams. She is currently an elementary music teacher at Mollie Ray Elementary School for the Orange County Public Schools system.
Meredith Hollowell | Clarinet "Meredith Hollowell has been teaching at Avalon School and Music Center since 2004. She lives in Avalon Park with her husband, Brett (another Avalon music teacher), and teaches clarinet, voice, and piano.
Meredith grew up playing the piano and has been playing clarinet since the age of 11. She is a graduate of Berry College in Rome, GA where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance, and was the recipient of the Francais A. Keown Music scholarship.
Meredith's teaching experience includes serving as music director at the Montessori School of Pensacola in Pensacola, FL and Hillwood Baptist Church Preschool in Huntsville, AL; Kindermusik instructor at the Hawthorne Music Conservatory, Fantasy Playhouse, and Colors Fine Arts Center in Huntsville, AL; as well as private lesson studios in Rome, GA and Huntsville, AL. Meredith's performance experience includes being a featured soprano soloist at the Georgia Music Educators Convention; performances in musicals including the title role in Samuel Barab's ""Little Red Riding Hood"" and the role of Louise in Rodgers and Hammerstein's ""Carousel"". Meredith is currently an elementary music teacher at The First Academy and is a member of The Voices of Liberty at EPCOT. She always looks forward to sharing her love of music and performing with students of every age."
Tim Kiesel | Drums & Percussion Tim Kiesel has been teaching percussion and piano since the fall of 2003. He started his musical journey taking piano lessons throughout elementary and middle school. Percussion lessons started in middle school and high school band as he excelled in jazz band, Solo & Ensemble Festivals, All County Band, and All State Band. He used his piano knowledge to study most percussion instruments, including all mallet percussion instruments like Marimba and Vibraphone. In high school, Tim joined the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and became fascinated by marching percussion. He played marching snare drum for 2001 Teal Sound and 2002 Magic of Orlando Drum & Bugle Corps. These corps were national finalists and toured the U.S. for a whole summer. The combination of marching and orchestral percussion took Tim to the next step in his music career.
While attending Rollins College for Percussion Performance, Tim studied with Beth and Danny Gottlieb. Learning everything he needed to know in the percussion world. He also excelled in Piano Lessons, Theory, Music History, Music Business, and Conducting. He wanted only to be a performer when he entered college and have nothing to do with teaching. This all changed his second year when he started working at William R. Boone’s percussion section and drum line, as he fell in love with the act of sharing music knowledge. From here on out, he put all his extra time towards educating and performing around town for orchestral, drum set, and even snare drum gigs. Tim has recently played with Winter Park Bach Festival Orchestra and Space Coast Pops Orchestra. He has also played with local cover bands, local musicals, plays, churches including the First Baptist Church of Orlando Singing Christmas Trees, NASCAR events at the Daytona 500, and various convention gigs at Disney.
Tim currently teaches at Timber Creek High School during the marching season, Lake Highland Preparatory School year round, Music and Arts in Sanford, The Orlando School of Music, and the two Avalon Music schools. He has been very fortunate and successful in the education department because of his style. Tim is very calm, patient, personable, and determined at what ever he does. In lessons, he gives his students undivided attention and will always put the student first no matter what the situation. Tim’s most important areas he teaches in drumming are technique, coordination, and reading. Of course coordination includes drum set, which is usually played with tracks or music the students pick out. Tim’s philosophy about being a successful musician is to be well rounded. All the instruments in percussion including every other in the music world, speak the same language. Learning more than one instrument lets you discover music from a different perspective, which only makes you more aware and understanding. This can only help your musicality, expression, and flow around the instrument.
Adam Dvorecky | Drums & Percussion Adam Dvorecky, one of the first teachers at Avalon School and Music Center, has been teaching drums and piano to students of all ages for the past 6 years. His passion for music and his unwavering patience makes him not only an ideal music instructor, but an excellent mentor as well. He believes that in order to be successful at his job, Adam must put the student first. “No matter what we do, it’s all about people. Put them first, and you’ll get results.” At the same time, Adam understands that teaching is not a one-way road. “The student is the one that becomes the musician. I can only show them the way. “ Using a personalized curriculum that he created, Adam tailors each lesson to the individual student so that everyone can learn at their own pace. His approach takes the student through various avenues of learning as he teaches the importance of becoming a well rounded musician. In addition to teaching out of method books, Adam likes to go “out of the book” to teach the student special tricks, tips, and methods of his own not found in the method book. He also encourages students to bring songs they like to the lesson to either learn how to play them or analyze their structure. Adam is open to all genres of music and has instructed hundreds of students throughout the years on various styles ranging from classical, jazz, and contemporary to rock, Christian, and Latin music. He also instructs students on how to write songs, improvise in various keys and styles, and helps the student develop an excellent musical ear. Adam has years of performance experience under his belt and continues to gig on a regular basis. Some of the bands Adam has performed with in the past include Curb 60, Stone Throw, The Radio Suitcase, 86Cheese, The Brett Lieberman Project, and Classic Albums Live. Currently, Adam performs with The Tina Nicole Band and tours with Europa. He is also working on his first ever solo album titled “Looking For,” the song of which is available to listen to on http://www.reverbnation.com/#/adammilan Adam is a classically trained pianist/percussionist who has received years of instruction from teachers including Vierka Kleinova, Mark Goldberg, and Danny Gottlieb. He comes from a traditional Slovak family that taught him to value hard work, discipline, and respect. These same values prompted Adam to join the Marine Corps in 2003, where he learned first hand the importance of such values. Today, Adam takes with him all of his experiences and lessons he’s learned and applies them to everything he does. His dedication, patience, knowledge, experience, and love for music makes Adam Dvorecky the perfect teacher for your son, your daughter, or maybe even YOU! Call to set up a trial lesson, or just stop by Mon-Fri (except Tuesdays) at our Lake Underhill location, or Tuesdays at our Avalon Park location to meet with Adam today!
Jeff Schiller | Department Head - Drums Jeff Schiller, a Detroit area native began playing professionally in 1990 with the United States Air Force Entertainment in Europe. He toured Central Europe, the UK and the Mediterranean with USAFE Entertainment Showcase performing pop, jazz and R & B at various Air Force and NATO installations. Jeff has played professionally with multiple bands in the southeast region of the U.S. performing big band, R & B, and jazz. He taught lessons at “Art’s Music” store in Montgomery, Alabama where he became the percussion section leader of the 151 st Army National Guard Band. In Orlando Jeff has performed for Disney in “Kids of the Kingdom Band” at the Magic Kingdom, “The British Invasion” at Epcot, and “The Rockhounds” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. He was also one of the original 30 drummers of Disney’s famed “Tapestry of Nations/Dreams”at Epcot. Jeff continues to perform with Nova Era and Beatlemania and records on various CD’s from across the country. See his website www.drummer808.com
Jahi Nelson | Department Head - Guitar - Bass Jahi Nelson has been playing professionally for over 15 years. He is a session musician with past work in New York and Atlanta and has studied modern jazz bass under the guidance of Bass Player Magazine Advisory Board and AIM alumni, Adam Nitti. Jahi plays rock, jazz, funk, R & B and gospel styles of music. He has also worked with rap artists Outkast and performed at the Warped Tour - 2005 with Public Enemy. His current projects include performing with the Canada-based Classic Albums Live ensemble, Stone Throw, and Audible Effect.
Will Stevenback | Trumpet - Trombone - Baritone - Flugelhorn - French Horn Will Stevenback, Orlando born and raised, began trumpet studies at age 12, attending Edgewater High School with Del Kieffner as band director. Trumpet studies continued with Chuck Gottschalk, principal trumpet of the Florida Symphony Orchestra. A love of music progressed with Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from Florida State University (FSU). Brass instructors included Steve Everett, Bryan Goff-FSU trumpet professor and Ken Davies –composer and trombonist for Gabriel’s Brass at WDW. Career positions have included public school band director at the elementary, middle and high levels, youth and adult choir director and band department manager/brass instructor for Keller Music. Other musicians often request his arranging skills. He remains committed to assuring brass and woodwind students experience the fun in learning.
Performance credits include Middle Georgia Symphony for two years, FSU Opera Orchestra, FSU Marching Chiefs –4 years, Elvis “impersonator” Band, “The Burgermeister” German Band, Rosie O’Grady’s half Fast Community Cartoon Comedy Band, 1st trumpet -Macon musical theater, director /arranger/trumpet for Glenwood Brass Quintet over 16 years and many solo appearances. Professional affiliations are International Trumpet Guild and Music Educators National Conference. Currently he performs as lead trumpet for Wildlife with Jungle Brass, a classic rock band, appearing at Old-town in Kissimmee, Avalon Park and many community events.
Adam Floyd | Guitar - Banjo - Ukulele - Mandolin Adam Floyd is an award winning multi-instrumentalist and singer performing with the popular Florida band The Coyotes and Towndogs. Floyd plays guitar and violin and was honored to be selected for the National Student Exchange program to California State University. In Los Angles he studied under Andres Segovia's friend Ron Purcell. This renowned school produced guitarists for the Police and The Cars among many others. Floyd graduated in 1992 with a Baccalaureate degree in Music Performance from the University of South Florida under Classical guitarists Adam Holtzman and John Parris. He is also the founding violinist of The Tampa Bay Trio and performs regularly as a blues oriented pop singer. Floyd began performing professionally as a blues guitarist at the early age of 14 and went on to perform in the national Broadway production Big River. He is an avid devotee of all things musical and has taught privately for over 25 years.
Tavie Basarich | Guitar - Bass From the time he was an unrecognizable embryo, still forming in his mothers womb, Tavie Basarich was surrounded by music. Throughout the duration of her pregnancy, Tavie’s mother played works of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Hayden so that she could now claim credit for his musical skills. Twelve years later Tavie taught himself how to play the guitar and his mom still brags about it. Tavie was initially inspired by early nineties alternative rock bands like Green Day and Smashing Pumpkins. However, the monotony of such bands’ distorted power chords soon bored him. Studying the blues with Steve Zampino and Frederick Capitelli introduced him to improvisational playing and thus tempered a guitarist who no longer regurgitated learned chord progressions, but channeled his emotions into melodies. This was the beginning of Tavie’s diverse musical palette which, while you read this, continues to evolve. Whether it is classical, jazz, rock, avant-garde or hip-hop, all are evident in the breadth of his CD collection and his cover song repertoire. Having played in many bands, he teaches the importance of ear training and currently exemplifies its benefits as the singer and guitarist of the Orlando based trio: 86cheese. Tavie is also studying under UCF’s classical guitar dean, Dr. Eladio Scharron. Upon graduating from VCC, he will pursue a Bachelor of Music in classical guitar. What makes Tavie an excellent teacher is his innate ability to empathize with people and translate his knowledge of music into an easily digestible curriculum.
Adele Sigler | Piano Adele Sigler has been playing piano and singing since she was five years old. As a young girl she was gifted with an incredible ear. She was able to harmonize and play her own songs right away. She then began to study classical piano and was immersed in many different choirs including the Meredith Girls Choir in North Carolina. As Adele got older she was accepted in the Brevard Music Center for classical piano study at age 15 and studied there for 2 years. She also was in Georgia All-State Choir for 3 years in high school. At age 17 she was asked by the Make-a-wish Foundation to teach a girl with terminal cancer to play piano. That was the beginning of her love for teaching. Adele loved music so much she decided to Major in Vocal Performance at Georgia State University where she sang various roles such as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro and The Monkey in The Bronze Mirror . Outside of school she recorded Vocals with hip hop artists such as Mark J, F.O.W. and Esoteric Records and in 2002 Performed at the Holy Hip Hop Awards with Mark J. She was also a featured soloist at the Picolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C. in 2004. To gain even more experience Adele directed Many church choirs for children and adults. It has been said that she has the ability to "inspire and excite" those under her direction no matter what age. Her desire for excellence is contagious and effective. She has been teaching private lessons for 3 years and is currently the Worship Leader at Fusion Church
Christina Montgomery | Piano Christina Montgomery started her musical career at the tender age of 4.
Her family knew even before that she was blessed with a wonderful gift. She began studying classical piano and her teachers were amazed at her quick ability to read and learn music. She also began to excel in her ear training. Christina soon enough began to add singing to her career and began singing and playing the piano at church when she was 8 years old. She then began regularly preparing and competing for the Florida Music Federation.
At the age of 14 she began taking her piano studies to UCF and started studying with a vocal coach as well. Throughout high school, Christina's musical career blossomed as she participated in several ensembles, musicals, and established herself as an accompanist. She competed with piano at Bach Festival and for two years placed first and second in her division for NAT's Vocal Competition. Since, she has earned many awards/scholarships for her musicianship and leadership. Christina took her college studies to Florida Christian College for two years where she started teaching at FCC's Community Music School and realized that besides performing, she had a gift to teach.
In 2005, she transferred to Seminole Community College to finish her Associates Degree and prepare herself to attend a Music Conservatory to major in Vocal Performance. She has many in mind and she is even thinking about taking her studies to Europe! She accredits her piano excellence to instructors such as Ruth Reyes at Florida Christian College, Wes Hamrick a regular pianist at the Grand Bohemian, and Laurant Boukobza; Steinway artist, chairman of the piano department at UCF and 5 time international piano winner. For her vocal excellence she accredits Novie Greene, Dirk Donahue; head of Voices of Liberty and regular performer for Voices of Liberty, and most recently with Priscilla Bagely; professor at UCF.
This past school year (2006-2007), Christina was given the opportunity to be the accompanist at Walker Middle School where another Avalon teacher, Nicole Guerra, is the choral director. Christina looks forward to the challenges of recitals, auditions, competitions, and even preparing a vocal student for college. Christina has been teaching piano and voice for 4 years and has been teaching at Avalon for almost 2.
Meredith Hollowell | Piano "Meredith Hollowell has been teaching at Avalon School and Music Center since 2004. She lives in Avalon Park with her husband, Brett (another Avalon music teacher), and teaches clarinet, voice, and piano.
Meredith grew up playing the piano and has been playing clarinet since the age of 11. She is a graduate of Berry College in Rome, GA where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance, and was the recipient of the Francais A. Keown Music scholarship.
Meredith's teaching experience includes serving as music director at the Montessori School of Pensacola in Pensacola, FL and Hillwood Baptist Church Preschool in Huntsville, AL; Kindermusik instructor at the Hawthorne Music Conservatory, Fantasy Playhouse, and Colors Fine Arts Center in Huntsville, AL; as well as private lesson studios in Rome, GA and Huntsville, AL. Meredith's performance experience includes being a featured soprano soloist at the Georgia Music Educators Convention; performances in musicals including the title role in Samuel Barab's ""Little Red Riding Hood"" and the role of Louise in Rodgers and Hammerstein's ""Carousel"". Meredith is currently an elementary music teacher at The First Academy and is a member of The Voices of Liberty at EPCOT. She always looks forward to sharing her love of music and performing with students of every age."
Dr. Otto | Trumpet Dr. Otto Gomez already well known in Orlando, is a member of the jazzinorlando.com community. As an accomplished musician, Dr. Otto is also a producer and arranger. His complex arrangements clearly standout and rise above the norm. His knack for teaching musicians, elementary and advanced, has always been a highlight of his ongoing career. The formulation of the colors of music and the correct execution of the same, is what separates him from the rest. Dr. Otto earned his Masters in Music Arranging and Composition at Brooklyn College, before going on to earn a Doctorate in arranging and composition from The Manhattan Conservatory of Music. His musical experience is equally impressive with many performances as a studio musician for CBS where he worked with Donnie Hathaway, Latimore Brown and Roberta Flack. His has also toured with Stevie Wonder and Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes: Composed, conducted and produced the soundtrack to the Daytona spring break movie Girls, Girls, Girls; produced award winning radio commercials, as well as presiding over many recordings and Musical Productions. With his band now established, his attention to detail, flair for Arranging, and consideration for his audience, Dr. Otto continues to transform listeners into fans.
Michelle Martin | Violin - Viola - Cello Michelle Martin earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music at the State University College at Potsdam, NY, where she majored in Music Education and Elementary Education. Mrs. Martin is certified to teach Music, grades K-12, in the state of Florida, has nearly 13 years experience teaching public school strings and general music classes at all grade levels, and 20 years experience teaching private violin lessons to students ages 2 through 65+. She has introduced the violin to literally thousands of students, and has seen many go on to shine at All-County and All-State Orchestras, and in the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Florida Young Artists Orchestra. In 2006 she resigned from her position with Orange County Public Schools in order to stay at home to care for her growing young family, and hopes to home school her own children when they are of school age. In addition to teaching private music lessons at ASMC, Mrs. Martin uses her experience and expertise part time to share her love of music with homeschooled children by creating a unique and fun learning experience through the Violin Lab (theviolinlab.com).
Tim Kiesel | Piano Tim Kiesel has been teaching percussion and piano since the fall of 2003. He started his musical journey taking piano lessons throughout elementary and middle school. Percussion lessons started in middle school and high school band as he excelled in jazz band, Solo & Ensemble Festivals, All County Band, and All State Band. He used his piano knowledge to study most percussion instruments, including all mallet percussion instruments like Marimba and Vibraphone. In high school, Tim joined the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and became fascinated by marching percussion. He played marching snare drum for 2001 Teal Sound and 2002 Magic of Orlando Drum & Bugle Corps. These corps were national finalists and toured the U.S. for a whole summer. The combination of marching and orchestral percussion took Tim to the next step in his music career.
While attending Rollins College for Percussion Performance, Tim studied with Beth and Danny Gottlieb. Learning everything he needed to know in the percussion world. He also excelled in Piano Lessons, Theory, Music History, Music Business, and Conducting. He wanted only to be a performer when he entered college and have nothing to do with teaching. This all changed his second year when he started working at William R. Boone’s percussion section and drum line, as he fell in love with the act of sharing music knowledge. From here on out, he put all his extra time towards educating and performing around town for orchestral, drum set, and even snare drum gigs. Tim has recently played with Winter Park Bach Festival Orchestra and Space Coast Pops Orchestra. He has also played with local cover bands, local musicals, plays, churches including the First Baptist Church of Orlando Singing Christmas Trees, NASCAR events at the Daytona 500, and various convention gigs at Disney.
Tim currently teaches at Timber Creek High School during the marching season, Lake Highland Preparatory School year round, Music and Arts in Sanford, The Orlando School of Music, and the two Avalon Music schools. He has been very fortunate and successful in the education department because of his style. Tim is very calm, patient, personable, and determined at what ever he does. In lessons, he gives his students undivided attention and will always put the student first no matter what the situation. Tim’s most important areas he teaches in drumming are technique, coordination, and reading. Of course coordination includes drum set, which is usually played with tracks or music the students pick out. Tim’s philosophy about being a successful musician is to be well rounded. All the instruments in percussion including every other in the music world, speak the same language. Learning more than one instrument lets you discover music from a different perspective, which only makes you more aware and understanding. This can only help your musicality, expression, and flow around the instrument.
Deborah Love | Department Head - Piano Deborah Love has been teaching piano locally for the last six years and has a total of 30 years teaching experience including Suzuki and traditional methods at the Bradley University Preparatory School of Music and Community School of Music in Buffalo, NY. Deborah is a member of the Orlando Music Club and the Florida Federation of Music Clubs and her students participate annually in the Jr. Festival and State Convention. The Peoria Journal-Star has called her playing "electrifying" and "mesmerizing"! Deborah has a Master of Piano Performance from Bradley University, Peoria, Ill. She has also done graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music. Deborah has her Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Rochester, and a Performer's Certificate from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She studied the Sydney Foster Method of playing with Dr. Edward Kaizer, Dr. Kenwyn Bolt and Mrs. Lucille Richardson. She has also studied with Mr. Barry Snyder.
Patrick Janka | Guitar - Bass Patrick Janka has been playing music all his life. As a child he used to beat on pots and pans with
cooking utensils. Not much has changed, as those same pots and pans are still his favorite instrument.
In the course of his life he has studied every genre of music conceivable including flamenco, classical,
jazz, country, Latin, ska, fusion, heavy metal and everything in between. Constantly evolving, Patrick
is always learning different instruments. To date he has experience playing violin, piano, trumpet,
guitar, bass, lute, cornetto, and drums. His next ambitions are pedal steel and saxophone.
Patrick earned a masters degree in information technology from the University of Florida. With that he
hit the road as a stand-up comedian, where his act was a mix of monologue and guitar-based material.
After a few years on the road he began acting, landing roles in commercials, television, and film,
including repeated spots on the Home Shopping Network for Esteban Guitars. Musically Patrick
writes, records, transcribes, and plays live gigs. As a teacher he gives his students the necessary tools
to learn for themselves. As the saying goes, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a
man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Check out his demo video
Patrick Janka | Piano Patrick Janka has been playing music all his life. As a child he used to beat on pots and pans with
cooking utensils. Not much has changed, as those same pots and pans are still his favorite instrument.
In the course of his life he has studied every genre of music conceivable including flamenco, classical,
jazz, country, Latin, ska, fusion, heavy metal and everything in between. Constantly evolving, Patrick
is always learning different instruments. To date he has experience playing violin, piano, trumpet,
guitar, bass, lute, cornetto, and drums. His next ambitions are pedal steel and saxophone.
Patrick earned a masters degree in information technology from the University of Florida. With that he
hit the road as a stand-up comedian, where his act was a mix of monologue and guitar-based material.
After a few years on the road he began acting, landing roles in commercials, television, and film,
including repeated spots on the Home Shopping Network for Esteban Guitars. Musically Patrick
writes, records, transcribes, and plays live gigs. As a teacher he gives his students the necessary tools
to learn for themselves. As the saying goes, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a
man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Check out his demo video
Melissa Reyes | Guitar Melissa Reyes teaches beginning, intermediate and advanced piano as well as beginning guitar. She is an accomplished performer, worship leader and singer/songwriter. Melissa studied piano performance with professors from the distinguished University Mozarteum and Salzburg College in Salzburg, Austria as part of a summer college program. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2006 with a Bachelor of Music, with piano performance as her main emphasis. Since 2004, she has recorded on various projects with independent record label Justice Road Productions, including one full-length album of original material released in 2004. From 2007 to 2008, she was the back-up vocalist, keyboardist and percussionist for the local indie band the OaKs. In 2007 the OaKs had the privilege of performing in various national music festivals including SXSW in Austin, TX and CMJ in New York City. She performs monthly in local coffeeshops and venues in Orlando and is releasing her first solo album of original songs this fall, on which she sings, plays acoustic guitar, piano, accordion and even the concert ukulele! She currently serves as a worship leader for Real Life Christian Church in Orlando. Melissa enjoys drawing from her diverse background in classical, jazz, pop, folk, indie rock and worship music to create a fun, educational experience for students of all ages.
Wichuan Ruan | Violin Weichuan Ruan has a B.A. from Xinjian College in the Peoples Republic of China. He is currently a member of the Violin Society of China and was a concert master of the local Orchestra. He has also performed in a String Quartet which was broadcast on Chinese Radio. Weichuan has over 40 years of teaching experience and has been teaching in Florida for several years. During his teaching career, he has had many students join orchestra, study Violin in College and some have gone on to become violin teachers themselves.
Adele Sigler | Voice Adele Sigler has been playing piano and singing since she was five years old. As a young girl she was gifted with an incredible ear. She was able to harmonize and play her own songs right away. She then began to study classical piano and was immersed in many different choirs including the Meredith Girls Choir in North Carolina. As Adele got older she was accepted in the Brevard Music Center for classical piano study at age 15 and studied there for 2 years. She also was in Georgia All-State Choir for 3 years in high school. At age 17 she was asked by the Make-a-wish Foundation to teach a girl with terminal cancer to play piano. That was the beginning of her love for teaching. Adele loved music so much she decided to Major in Vocal Performance at Georgia State University where she sang various roles such as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro and The Monkey in The Bronze Mirror . Outside of school she recorded Vocals with hip hop artists such as Mark J, F.O.W. and Esoteric Records and in 2002 Performed at the Holy Hip Hop Awards with Mark J. She was also a featured soloist at the Picolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C. in 2004. To gain even more experience Adele directed Many church choirs for children and adults. It has been said that she has the ability to "inspire and excite" those under her direction no matter what age. Her desire for excellence is contagious and effective. She has been teaching private lessons for 3 years and is currently the Worship Leader at Fusion Church
Christina Montgomery | Voice Christina Montgomery started her musical career at the tender age of 4. Her family knew even before that she was blessed with a wonderful gift. She began studying classical piano and her teachers were amazed at her quick ability to read and learn music. She also began to excel in her ear training. Christina soon enough began to add singing to her career and began singing and playing the piano at church when she was 8 years old. She then began regularly preparing and competing for the Florida Music Federation. At the age of 14 she began taking her piano studies to UCF and started studying with a vocal coach as well. Throughout high school, Christina's musical career blossomed as she participated in several ensembles, musicals, and established herself as an accompanist. She competed with piano at Bach Festival and for two years placed first and second in her division for NAT's Vocal Competition. Since, she has earned many awards/scholarships for her musicianship and leadership. Christina took her college studies to Florida Christian College for two years where she started teaching at FCC's Community Music School and realized that besides performing, she had a gift to teach. In 2005, she transferred to Seminole Community College to finish her Associates Degree. Christina accredits her piano excellence to instructors such as Ruth Reyes at Florida Christian College, Wes Hamrick a regular pianist at the Grand Bohemian, and Laurant Boukobza; Steinway artist, chairman of the piano department at UCF and 5 time international piano winner. For her vocal excellence she accredits Novie Greene, Dirk Donahue; regular performer/lead for Voices of Liberty, Priscilla Bagely from UCF, and most recently John Cavazos; regular performer with Voices of Liberty. From 2005-2008, she took her piano skills to Walker Middle School where she spent time as their Chorale Accompanist under the direction of Nicole Avesani. In 2009, Christina was named: Miss Orlando Non-Finalist Talent Winner for her piano interpretation of “Zanarkand” by Nobuo Umetasu. She also enjoys sub-gigging at The Black Olive located in Downtown Orlando for Heather Friedman. Christina is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association and is currently an Equity Performer at Disney for the show Playhouse Disney Live on Stage (Hollywood Studios) and Voices of Liberty (EPCOT).
Christina has been teaching for 6 years and as enjoyed teaching 4 of those years at ASMC! She enjoys challenging her students to always strive to do their best and enjoys the challenges that her students bring to her.
Ron Thompson | Department Head - Voice As a college vocal music student, Ron had the incredible opportunity to sing on stage with Jazz Legend Duke Ellington. Years later as a Vocal Instructor, Ron had the incredible opportunity to teach the Queen of Teen, (New York Times) Hilary Duff.
Ron has connected the generations of Popular Music with a fresh modern adaptation of the Art of Vocal Music for the 21st Century.
Modern technology has changed thousands of years of singing by allowing singers to use his or her most natural voice with modern amplification and recording technologies.
Have you seen the movie “The Perfect Man” starring Hilary Duff and Heather Locklear? Remember the song, “I Will Learn to Love Again”? It is sung by Kaci Lyn Bataglia (Curb Records). Yes, she was Ron’s student too!
Other students of Ron Thompson have:
-Sung in Las Vegas as a soloist to an audience of 13,000 people.
-Sung on Broadway in the musical “Hairspray”
-Received a $20,000 a year Voice Scholarship to college.
-Ron is also a Vocal Music Producer.
As a Recording Studio Music Director, Ron wrote and produced Radio and Television commercials and managed the early career of Nashville recording artist, Joy Lynn White who signed with Columbia Records and wrote two songs for The Dixie Chicks.
Ron also produced the CD Karaoke Kids U.S.A. which sold on Amazon.com and included Broadway singer Danielle Ranier who appeared on Broadway as Little Cosette in Les Miserable.
Ron is a Graduate of the top rated Indiana University School of Music with a degree in Vocal Performance. He attended Graduate School at Texas State University where he taught Vocal Class and Voice for the University Preparatory Program. He also taught Vocal Music at a private elementary school in San Antonio, Texas. He owned the vocal music studio, Castle Hills Music, in Castle Hills, Texas.
Meredith Hollowell | Voice "Meredith Hollowell has been teaching at Avalon School and Music Center since 2004. She lives in Avalon Park with her husband, Brett (another Avalon music teacher), and teaches clarinet, voice, and piano.
Meredith grew up playing the piano and has been playing clarinet since the age of 11. She is a graduate of Berry College in Rome, GA where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance, and was the recipient of the Francais A. Keown Music scholarship.
Meredith's teaching experience includes serving as music director at the Montessori School of Pensacola in Pensacola, FL and Hillwood Baptist Church Preschool in Huntsville, AL; Kindermusik instructor at the Hawthorne Music Conservatory, Fantasy Playhouse, and Colors Fine Arts Center in Huntsville, AL; as well as private lesson studios in Rome, GA and Huntsville, AL. Meredith's performance experience includes being a featured soprano soloist at the Georgia Music Educators Convention; performances in musicals including the title role in Samuel Barab's ""Little Red Riding Hood"" and the role of Louise in Rodgers and Hammerstein's ""Carousel"". Meredith is currently an elementary music teacher at The First Academy and is a member of The Voices of Liberty at EPCOT. She always looks forward to sharing her love of music and performing with students of every age."
Melissa Reyes | Piano Melissa Reyes teaches beginning, intermediate and advanced piano as well as beginning guitar. She is an accomplished performer, worship leader and singer/songwriter. Melissa studied piano performance with professors from the distinguished University Mozarteum and Salzburg College in Salzburg, Austria as part of a summer college program. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2006 with a Bachelor of Music, with piano performance as her main emphasis. Since 2004, she has recorded on various projects with independent record label Justice Road Productions, including one full-length album of original material released in 2004. From 2007 to 2008, she was the back-up vocalist, keyboardist and percussionist for the local indie band the OaKs. In 2007 the OaKs had the privilege of performing in various national music festivals including SXSW in Austin, TX and CMJ in New York City. She performs monthly in local coffeeshops and venues in Orlando and is releasing her first solo album of original songs this fall, on which she sings, plays acoustic guitar, piano, accordion and even the concert ukulele! She currently serves as a worship leader for Real Life Christian Church in Orlando. Melissa enjoys drawing from her diverse background in classical, jazz, pop, folk, indie rock and worship music to create a fun, educational experience for students of all ages.
Adam Floyd | Violin - Viola - Autoharp Adam Floyd is an award winning multi-instrumentalist and singer performing with the popular Florida band The Coyotes and Towndogs. Floyd plays guitar and violin and was honored to be selected for the National Student Exchange program to California State University. In Los Angles he studied under Andres Segovia's friend Ron Purcell. This renowned school produced guitarists for the Police and The Cars among many others. Floyd graduated in 1992 with a Baccalaureate degree in Music Performance from the University of South Florida under Classical guitarists Adam Holtzman and John Parris. He is also the founding violinist of The Tampa Bay Trio and performs regularly as a blues oriented pop singer. Floyd began performing professionally as a blues guitarist at the early age of 14 and went on to perform in the national Broadway production Big River. He is an avid devotee of all things musical and has taught privately for over 25 years.
Adam Floyd | Voice Adam Floyd is an award winning multi-instrumentalist and singer performing with the popular Florida band The Coyotes and Towndogs. Floyd plays guitar and violin and was honored to be selected for the National Student Exchange program to California State University. In Los Angles he studied under Andres Segovia's friend Ron Purcell. This renowned school produced guitarists for the Police and The Cars among many others. Floyd graduated in 1992 with a Baccalaureate degree in Music Performance from the University of South Florida under Classical guitarists Adam Holtzman and John Parris. He is also the founding violinist of The Tampa Bay Trio and performs regularly as a blues oriented pop singer. Floyd began performing professionally as a blues guitarist at the early age of 14 and went on to perform in the national Broadway production Big River. He is an avid devotee of all things musical and has taught privately for over 25 years.
Justin Kangrga | Guitar - Bass - Banjo Self taught from the age of 11, Justin Kangrga has been playing and composing ever since. He grew up playing blues, classic rock and Americana/folk in Minneapolis. After recording his first professional demo at 15, he recorded his first full-length album of original material at 17. He has been teaching guitar since the age of 18 and has continued for the past decade. He’s fluent in the styles of blues, classic rock, reggae, rockabilly, country, folk/bluegrass and some jazz; as well as being a very accomplished singer/songwriter and slide guitar player. He’s spent time as a studio session player for various artists along with collaborative songwriting. He’s an active songwriter and working musician, playing solo or in various projects almost every night of the week. His original band, the Fling (www.myspace.com/theflingpage) , has received many accolades and recently released its second album.
His approach to teaching is tailored to each individual students goals and learning style. It is geared to giving students the tools to continue learning on their own.
Deborah Love | Accordion Deborah Love has been teaching piano locally for the last six years and has a total of 30 years teaching experience including Suzuki and traditional methods at the Bradley University Preparatory School of Music and Community School of Music in Buffalo, NY. Deborah is a member of the Orlando Music Club and the Florida Federation of Music Clubs and her students participate annually in the Jr. Festival and State Convention. The Peoria Journal-Star has called her playing "electrifying" and "mesmerizing"! Deborah has a Master of Piano Performance from Bradley University, Peoria, Ill. She has also done graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music. Deborah has her Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Rochester, and a Performer's Certificate from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She studied the Sydney Foster Method of playing with Dr. Edward Kaizer, Dr. Kenwyn Bolt and Mrs. Lucille Richardson. She has also studied with Mr. Barry Snyder.
Norma Hunter | Voice Her first performance onstage was at the age of three as a dancer in a children’s ensemble. With a great ear for music and a desire to learn, she began taking piano lessons at age seven, and then violin lessons. She was a quick learner and soon was playing for weddings and choirs.
As a high school student she attended the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, studying Piano and Theory. She continued private study of the violin with a member of the Kansas City Philharmonic. She also sang with the Kansas City Philharmonic Chorus. The president of this school was Dr. Viktor Labunski from Poland, and all of the students were required to attend his recitals of Chopin’s music, and participate in recitals of their own.
Then she attended Oklahoma Baptist University with a double major in Piano and Organ. As a member of a Girl’s Trio in a Men’s Glee Club, she traveled extensively with them for special presentations. Violin studies were continued also.
After graduation from college she did graduate studies at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, studying voice with Evaline Hartley and Organ with Edna Scott Billings.
A few years later she attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, where she studied Organ and Children’s Education. She served as accompanist for the Seminary Chorus, and accompanied graduate students for recitals.
Through the years Norma served as Organist and/or Choral Director for numerous churches. She has performed at the Air Force Academy Chapel in CO, Spivey Hall and Emory University in GA, and Spoleto Festival in SC.
She has had memberships in Sigma Alpha Iota, National Music Teachers Association, Choristers Guild, and American Guild of Organists.
Teaching experience includes many years of private instruction in Piano, Organ, Voice, and Violin. Her last school affiliation was with the Mountain Park School of Music in GA.
Norma Hunter | Violin Her first performance onstage was at the age of three as a dancer in a children’s ensemble. With a great ear for music and a desire to learn, she began taking piano lessons at age seven, and then violin lessons. She was a quick learner and soon was playing for weddings and choirs.
As a high school student she attended the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, studying Piano and Theory. She continued private study of the violin with a member of the Kansas City Philharmonic. She also sang with the Kansas City Philharmonic Chorus. The president of this school was Dr. Viktor Labunski from Poland, and all of the students were required to attend his recitals of Chopin’s music, and participate in recitals of their own.
Then she attended Oklahoma Baptist University with a double major in Piano and Organ. As a member of a Girl’s Trio in a Men’s Glee Club, she traveled extensively with them for special presentations. Violin studies were continued also.
After graduation from college she did graduate studies at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, studying voice with Evaline Hartley and Organ with Edna Scott Billings.
A few years later she attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, where she studied Organ and Children’s Education. She served as accompanist for the Seminary Chorus, and accompanied graduate students for recitals.
Through the years Norma served as Organist and/or Choral Director for numerous churches. She has performed at the Air Force Academy Chapel in CO, Spivey Hall and Emory University in GA, and Spoleto Festival in SC.
She has had memberships in Sigma Alpha Iota, National Music Teachers Association, Choristers Guild, and American Guild of Organists.
Teaching experience includes many years of private instruction in Piano, Organ, Voice, and Violin. Her last school affiliation was with the Mountain Park School of Music in GA.
Juan Martinez | Voice Venezuelan baritone, born in Carora, Lara, Juan Martinez has an extensive international career as a singer of opera, zarzuela, oratory, recitals and musicals. He began his musical training in his childhood with his father in voice and clarinet. In 1978, he started his voice education in Caracas with Isabel Palacios at the Juan José Landaeta Music School. He made his debut that year with the Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra in the Mozart´s Vesperas Solemnes de Confesores. In 1983 he won a scholarship to continue his studies in the United States, where he studied singing, clarinet, choral and orchestral conducting and obtained a degree in music from The University of Madison, Wisconsin in 1988.
In 1995 Juan Tomás Martínez won the Latin-American Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition and had an important participation at its Philadelphia Final. During the period 1995-1999, he performed many lieder recitals, oratory and lots of Zarzuela (spanish operetta) titles in America (Gavilanes, Luisa Fernanda, Maravilla, Leyenda del Beso, etc.). His Opera career has taken him to Perú, Ecuador, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, The Dominican Republic, The United States, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Romania, Bulgaria and Korea.
In 2004 he sang Beethoven´s 9th Symphony with the Murcia Symphony Orchestra, Germano (Rossini´s Scala di Seta), Lescaut (Massenet´s Manon) at the Teatro Villamarta de Jerez and Bizet´s Carmen in Lérida and Montilla.
He has sang Rossini´s Scala di Seta at Lugo´s Rossini Festival (Italy), Bach´s Cantata nº82: Ich habe genuch in Pamplona, Simone Boccanegra in the Gran Canaria´s Opera Festival, L´Elisir d´Amore (Teatro Teresa Carreño-Caracas), Opening Opera Gala with Aquiles Machado at the VI Edition of Galicia International Music Festival, Beethoven´s 9th Symphony in Santiago de Compostela with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, Germont, Sharpless and Escamillo at the Madrid Summer Festival, and a Latin American Tour with a Zarzuela Anthology. He has sang Massenet´s Werther at Palacio de Festivales de Santander Teather, Falla´s Retablo de Maese Pedro at Rotterdam, Carmina Burana at San Sebastian and a Lyric Concert in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Among his recent engagements, he has sang Rigoletto in Venezuela with the scenic direction of Aquiles Machado. He is also singing Sharpless (Madama Butterfly) in a Spanish tour. He has been critically-acclaimed in the VII Edition of the Galicia International Music Festival, in the role of Roque, in the Spanish opera Marina. He has sang Malatesta (Don Paquale) in Irún, Spain. Later on, he has an important participation in the Mercadante’s Pelayo in Jovellanos Theater in Gijón, Spain. Among his next engagements he will sing Marcello (La Bohème) in the Palacio de Festivales de Santander. Father Capulet ( Romeo è Juliette), Michonet( Adriana Lecouvreur), Don Giovanni and Leporello , Conte and Figaro ( Nozze di Figaro), are some of his most interpreted opera roles.
Brian Girraffa | Piano Coming from a musical family, I've been playing since a young age. At nine when I entered my first series of young piano student recitals, I received first place medals consecutively for four years. I enrolled at The Manhattan Music Conservatory where I majored in jazz piano. Due to performing opportunities, I left school and traveled with various bands. I now live in Orlando where I pursue music performance and instruction. Listening to jazz, progressive rock and classical music all my life, I fuse the styles together and just play. “It's a great feeling of freedom to create and use anything type of music you feel.”
Adam Dvorecky | Piano Adam Dvorecky, one of the first teachers at Avalon School and Music Center, has been teaching drums and piano to students of all ages for the past 6 years. His passion for music and his unwavering patience makes him not only an ideal music instructor, but an excellent mentor as well. He believes that in order to be successful at his job, Adam must put the student first. “No matter what we do, it’s all about people. Put them first, and you’ll get results.” At the same time, Adam understands that teaching is not a one-way road. “The student is the one that becomes the musician. I can only show them the way. “ Using a personalized curriculum that he created, Adam tailors each lesson to the individual student so that everyone can learn at their own pace. His approach takes the student through various avenues of learning as he teaches the importance of becoming a well rounded musician. In addition to teaching out of method books, Adam likes to go “out of the book” to teach the student special tricks, tips, and methods of his own not found in the method book. He also encourages students to bring songs they like to the lesson to either learn how to play them or analyze their structure. Adam is open to all genres of music and has instructed hundreds of students throughout the years on various styles ranging from classical, jazz, and contemporary to rock, Christian, and Latin music. He also instructs students on how to write songs, improvise in various keys and styles, and helps the student develop an excellent musical ear. Adam has years of performance experience under his belt and continues to gig on a regular basis. Some of the bands Adam has performed with in the past include Curb 60, Stone Throw, The Radio Suitcase, 86Cheese, The Brett Lieberman Project, and Classic Albums Live. Currently, Adam performs with The Tina Nicole Band and tours with Europa. He is also working on his first ever solo album titled “Looking For,” the song of which is available to listen to on http://www.reverbnation.com/#/adammilan Adam is a classically trained pianist/percussionist who has received years of instruction from teachers including Vierka Kleinova, Mark Goldberg, and Danny Gottlieb. He comes from a traditional Slovak family that taught him to value hard work, discipline, and respect. These same values prompted Adam to join the Marine Corps in 2003, where he learned first hand the importance of such values. Today, Adam takes with him all of his experiences and lessons he’s learned and applies them to everything he does. His dedication, patience, knowledge, experience, and love for music makes Adam Dvorecky the perfect teacher for your son, your daughter, or maybe even YOU! Call to set up a trial lesson, or just stop by Mon-Fri (except Tuesdays) at our Lake Underhill location, or Tuesdays at our Avalon Park location to meet with Adam today!
Bryan Mays | Guitar Bryan Mays was born in Fort Myers, Florida 1977 & grew up in neighboring town of Immokalee. He started playing violin in middle school at the age of 13. By the age 14 he made the transition to guitar after being exposed to his older brother’s garage band. After graduating high school (1997) Bryan was able to find work in the South West Florida area as a guitar teacher & freelance guitarist. After meeting & working with percussionist Ayieb Dieng (know for work with Herbie Hancock, Mick Jagger, & Bill Laswell), Bryan found a true mentor. With the encouragement of Ayieb Dieng, Bryan attended Berklee College of Music in 2005. While there he was able to hone his craft with teachers such as guitarist Mick Goodrick (Gary Burton Band, Steve Swallow Band), vibraphonist Dave Samuels (Spyro Gyro, & Caribbean Jazz Project), bassist Dave Santoro (Jerry Bergonzi), & Saxophonist Gearge Garzone (The Fringe). After graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2007 he returned to Florida to continue a career in music. In 2009 Bryan began working with Native American artist Paula Bowers-Sanchez. This allowed him the opportunity to perform at The American Indian Inaugural Ball (one of the 10 official balls for the Inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington D.C.) as well as touring the United States with the Native Music Rocks Tour (sponsored by Seminole Tribe of Florida). In addition Bryan performed on & co-wrote Paul’s debut album Shima Fula. The album includes guest performances by Keith Secola & Martha Redbone. Currently, Bryan performs with a wide variety of musical groups in the Orlando area & continues to perform with Paula Bowers-Sanchez. As of this year (2010) he has formed an original jazz trio entitled the Bryan Mays Trio. He considers himself a life long student of the guitar & the art of music. Showing a true passion for teaching, his teaching style is unique in that he customizes his teaching methods to each student’s individual needs & interests while instilling strong music fundamentals. He teaches Rock (& sub-genres), Blues, Jazz/ Fusion, Funk, R&B, Reggae, Classical (fingerstyle), & others.
Tom LaRocca | Clarinet - Flute - Saxophone Thomas LaRocca is a student at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Music Education and Jazz Studies. He's originally from Long Island, New York where he was an All-County and All-State jazz
saxophonist. Currently he's studying saxophone with Dr. George
Weremchuk and flute with Dr. Nora Lee Garcia. Tom began teaching as a
private lesson teacher, and has been doing so for five
years. He also has experience running smaller groups from saxophone
quartets to 18 piece jazz bands. A saxophonist of ten years,
clarinetist of five, and flautist of three, he has extensive knowledge
of single reed repertoire as well as audition preparation in both the
classical and jazz idioms.
Patrick Janka | Trumpet Patrick Janka has been playing music all his life. As a child he used to beat on pots and pans with
cooking utensils. Not much has changed, as those same pots and pans are still his favorite instrument.
In the course of his life he has studied every genre of music conceivable including flamenco, classical,
jazz, country, Latin, ska, fusion, heavy metal and everything in between. Constantly evolving, Patrick
is always learning different instruments. To date he has experience playing violin, piano, trumpet,
guitar, bass, lute, cornetto, and drums. His next ambitions are pedal steel and saxophone.
Patrick earned a masters degree in information technology from the University of Florida. With that he
hit the road as a stand-up comedian, where his act was a mix of monologue and guitar-based material.
After a few years on the road he began acting, landing roles in commercials, television, and film,
including repeated spots on the Home Shopping Network for Esteban Guitars. Musically Patrick
writes, records, transcribes, and plays live gigs. As a teacher he gives his students the necessary tools
to learn for themselves. As the saying goes, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a
man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Check out his demo video
Patrick Janka | Drums Patrick Janka has been playing music all his life. As a child he used to beat on pots and pans with
cooking utensils. Not much has changed, as those same pots and pans are still his favorite instrument.
In the course of his life he has studied every genre of music conceivable including flamenco, classical,
jazz, country, Latin, ska, fusion, heavy metal and everything in between. Constantly evolving, Patrick
is always learning different instruments. To date he has experience playing violin, piano, trumpet,
guitar, bass, lute, cornetto, and drums. His next ambitions are pedal steel and saxophone.
Patrick earned a masters degree in information technology from the University of Florida. With that he
hit the road as a stand-up comedian, where his act was a mix of monologue and guitar-based material.
After a few years on the road he began acting, landing roles in commercials, television, and film,
including repeated spots on the Home Shopping Network for Esteban Guitars. Musically Patrick
writes, records, transcribes, and plays live gigs. As a teacher he gives his students the necessary tools
to learn for themselves. As the saying goes, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a
man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Check out his demo video
