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Many students at Tampa Bay Music Academy will perform at least 2 pieces memorized in front of judges this Saturday. Here is some advice for those getting ready for this Saturday.

The Psychology of Performing for a Judge: Why Nerves Happen and How to Use Them

Performing in front of a judge is one of the most transformative experiences a young musician can have. At Tampa Bay Music Academy, we’ve guided hundreds of students through their first adjudicated performance, and one truth always stands out: nerves are normal. In fact, they’re not just normal—they’re useful.

Understanding Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety is a natural physiological response. When a student steps onto a stage or into a judge’s room, their body releases adrenaline. This can cause shaking hands, a racing heart, or shallow breathing. Many students interpret these sensations as signs that something is wrong. In reality, the body is preparing to perform at a higher level.

The key is students must learn to work with their adrenaline rather than fight it.

Turning Nerves into Focus

Here are strategies we teach at TBMA that consistently help students channel nervous energy into confident performance:

• Breathing resets the nervous system. Slow, deep breaths before playing help regulate heart rate and center the mind.
• Mental rehearsal builds familiarity. Visualizing the performance space and imagining a successful performance reduces uncertainty.
• Pre-performance routines create stability. A consistent warm-up or tuning ritual gives students something predictable to rely on.

Why Judges Expect Nerves

A common misconception is that judges penalize nervousness. Guess what…they don’t! Judges are trained to evaluate musicality, technique, and preparation—not whether a student looks perfectly calm. In fact, most judges have performed professionally for decades and understand exactly what students are experiencing.

When students realize that judges are allies, not adversaries, confidence grows.

Works Cited

American Psychological Association. “Anxiety and Performance.” APA Dictionary of Psychology, https://dictionary.apa.org/performance-anxiety.

Kenny, Dianna T. The Psychology of Music Performance Anxiety. Oxford University Press, 2011.

McGonigal, Kelly. The Upside of Stress. Avery, 2015.

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Tampa Bay Music Academy is pleased to welcome our newest piano faculty member, Ghadeer Abaido, to our team! We know our students and their families will love working with Ghadeer, and we’re looking forward to sharing her expertise with our music community.

Ghadeer received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa in 2022. She also holds a Master of Music from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Music from the National Music Conservatory in Amman, Jordan.

Before coming to TBMA, Ghadeer worked as a teaching assistant for piano students at the University of Iowa and as a private piano teacher. She served as an adjudicator for the Sharjah World Music Festival Piano Competition in the UAE in 2017, and has served in several other roles including accompanist, music workshop leader, assistant choir director, and musical director for various organizations.

Ghadeer has also composed film scores for short films, songs, and documentaries, with most going to screen at the Dubai International Film Festival, Abu Dhabi International Film Festival, and Manarat al Saadiyat Galleries.

Her performance experience includes many solo and collaborative performances, as well as multimedia performances and recording. You can watch one of her performances at the University of Iowa School of Musichere.

To help our students and their families get to know Ghadeer better, we asked her a few questions about her approach to music and teaching:

TBMA: What is your favorite musical memory (performance, concert, recital, etc.)?

Ghadeer: I would have to say that it was my most recent recital at the University of  Iowa where I performed a concert program of music inspired by childhood themes. I prepared a slideshow to accompany my performance of Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen, which translates to “Scenes from Childhood.”

Each movement of the Kinderszenen has a descriptive title, so I had the idea to collect pictures of my friends and colleagues from when they were children for the slideshow to create “Scenes from our Childhood.” It was a true collaborative effort, and it was great to perform a classical music piece on stage and hear people laugh during the performance.

TBMA: What is your favorite musical work that you have personally performed?

Ghadeer: I have been pretty obsessed with orchestral transcriptions recently, so it’s probably a tie between Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin and Agosti’s arrangement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

TBMA: What do you love about teaching?

Ghadeer: I love being a part of someone’s journey towards musical growth. I also love the feeling when my students trust me to guide them, and when I trust them to start making their own musical decisions.

TBMA: How did you know you wanted to teach?

Ghadeer: I think I must have been 7 or 8, and my idea of having fun was to start a “summer school” for my younger siblings. They were not huge fans of the idea, but I learned then that teaching is my passion.

TBMA: What is your favorite teaching method?

Ghadeer: I personally enjoy the Nikolaev method, because it exposes students to standard repertoire from a young age.

TBMA: When do you recommend starting private music lessons?

Ghadeer: I’ve had students as young as 3 years old, and students that started when they were in their sixties. You can start private music lessons at any time!

TBMA: What brought you to TBMA?

I recently moved to Tampa, and my friend and colleague Valeria told me that this was the best place that she has ever worked. I knew that I would love to be a part of the Tampa Bay Music Academy.

TBMA: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching or playing the piano?

Ghadeer: I enjoy cooking, exploring different cities, and being out in nature.

We’re thrilled that Ghadeer has joined our TBMA family, and we know our students will enjoy working with her.

Welcome to TBMA, Ghadeer!

This is a TBMA original article written for our Tampa Bay Music Academy readership by Susan McClure.  If you find it to be helpful, we would love for you to re-post it on your blog.  Please contact us first for permission.  Visit our website home for information on finding a music teacher in Tampa, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Citrus Park, Westchase, New Port Richey, Lutz, Trinity, Keystone, or Tarpon Springs Florida who offers private piano lessons, guitar lessons, saxophone lessons, voice lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons, cello lessons, flute lessons, or music lessons in any other instrument proficiency category.  TBMA teachers (piano, guitar, voice, flute, cello, violin, woodwinds, brass, strings, drums, percussion) pride themselves in a reputation for an uncompromising commitment to excellence and special care taken for every student. We remain absolutely committed to providing an outstanding enrollment experience beyond any other in the region.  Call us today.  We look forward to hearing from you!

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Tampa Bay Music Academy is thrilled to welcome our newest piano faculty member, Daniel Joiner! With an extensive background in teaching, performing, and arranging, Daniel brings an impressive depth of skill and breadth of knowledge to our team.

Daniel’s prior experience includes special emphasis in jazz and contemporary music with educational training in the classical tradition. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in piano performance from Stetson University and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies – Performance from the University of South Florida.

Since graduating from college, Daniel has served in a variety of music roles including worship team member for local churches, adjunct professor at the University of South Florida and St. Petersburg College, and private music instructor. He has also released two solo piano albums, partnered with several performers, bands, and orchestras as keyboardist and guest soloist, and provided music for a variety of corporate and private events and venues.

Daniel is also the author of a textbook for the Jazz Keyboard Skills course at USF and has completed many custom worship band arrangements in his church music roles.

To help our students and their families get to know Daniel better, we asked him a few questions about his musical experience:

TBMA: What is your favorite music memory?
Daniel: My favorite musical memory was getting to perform with the Stetson University Orchestra as a result of being a runner-up in their concerto competition. I was a music major at Stetson at that time.  

TBMA: What do you love about teaching?
Daniel: I love the process of cultivating students, passing down knowledge and insight from my own experience and previous teachers, and helping students achieve their musical aspirations and goals. It is so rewarding to see students make progress in their skills and abilities and to know I was able to play a role in that process.

TBMA: How did you know you wanted to teach?
Daniel: I started dealing with tendinitis and arthritis in graduate school and had to reassess my goals as a performer. That situation opened the door for me to pursue, experience, and develop a love for music education.

TBMA: What is your favorite teaching method?
Daniel: Over the years, I have developed many of my own teaching methods based on study and experience in teaching. My method of teaching encompasses these 4 principles:

1. To equip students with concrete skills, principles, and tools they can use on their own for the rest of their lives.
2. To instill in students a lifelong love of music.
3. To develop a mentoring relationship with students that will benefit them on both a personal level and an educational level.
4. To inspire students to work hard by my own pursuit of musical excellence.

TBMA: When do you recommend starting private music lessons?
Daniel: I recommend starting private lessons when a student can read, which is usually age 6.

TBMA: What brought you to TBMA?
Daniel: I talked with the owner John Tracy about joining the faculty at TBMA and it was a good fit both for my career goals and his vision for what he is looking for in a teacher.

TBMA: Other than music and teaching, what other interests and hobbies are you passionate about?
Daniel: I am passionate about my Christian faith, spending time with my family, and fishing.

We’re thrilled that Daniel is joining our TBMA faculty, and we look forward to sharing his knowledge and passion for teaching with our students and their families!

Welcome to TBMA, Daniel!

This is a TBMA original article written for our Tampa Bay Music Academy readership by Susan McClure.  If you find it to be helpful, we would love for you to re-post it on your blog.  Please contact us first for permission.  Visit our website home for information on finding a music teacher in Tampa, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Citrus Park, Westchase, New Port Richey, Lutz, Trinity, Keystone, or Tarpon Springs Florida who offers private piano lessons, guitar lessons, saxophone lessons, voice lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons, cello lessons, flute lessons, or music lessons in any other instrument proficiency category.  TBMA teachers (piano, guitar, voice, flute, cello, violin, woodwinds, brass, strings, drums, percussion) pride themselves in a reputation for an uncompromising commitment to excellence and special care taken for every student. We remain absolutely committed to providing an outstanding enrollment experience beyond any other in the region.  Call us today.  We look forward to hearing from you!

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At TBMA, we believe music should inspire joy in both performers and listeners. Each one of our teachers shares our passion for helping students develop a lifelong love of music, as well as a commitment to excellence.

That’s why we’re so pleased to welcome our newest violin teacher, KaleyAnna Raabe, to our team! KaleyAnna values a balanced teaching style that includes healthy technique and musical skill, and she prioritizes teaching students to play with freedom and enjoyment.

KaleyAnna holds a Bachelor of Music Performance in violin from the University of South Florida and is working toward a Master of Chamber Music. She also has experience singing with the USF Chamber Singers and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, and she is a member of the women’s barbershop quartet, Duly Noted.

While a student at USF, KaleyAnna began teaching violin and has continued investing in students ever since, both in a private studio and as a guest teacher for public school sectionals.

To help our students and their families get to know KaleyAnna better, we asked her a few questions about her musical experiences.

TBMA: What is your favorite musical memory?

KaleyAnna: One summer when I travelled to the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, I was so excited to find out that the Emerson String Quartet would be performing. During the concert, they played the Barber string quartet. It was the first time I had heard this piece performed live and it is such a memorable experience for me. The second movement is stunningly beautiful and heart-wrenching. It is full of long, gorgeous, ascending melodic lines all leading to a passionate crescendo. The movement reaches its climactic moment with all quartet members wailing in the higher registers of their instruments. This burst of intensity is followed by a moment of silence. That moment has stayed with me and I remember just being in awe of the musical journey the string quartet had led me through.

TBMA: What is your favorite musical work that you have personally performed?

KaleyAnna: Svendsen’s Romance. This piece has a beautiful, soaring melody, bringing to mind the vast, breathtaking Norwegian landscapes in which the composer lived. For me, it draws up many wonderful memories of visiting my family in Norway. It holds a special place in my heart.

TBMA: What do you love most about teaching?

KaleyAnna: I love enabling others to experience the joy I get from music. It’s wonderful to help students develop their own musical skill to be proud of. Seeing a student’s happiness when they reach a goal or master a new technique is such a joy!

TBMA: How did you know you wanted to teach?

KaleyAnna: It started as simply a job opportunity. I was studying violin in college and teaching was a reasonable thing to do. The more I taught, the more I enjoyed it. It is so rewarding to be able to directly impact and help students reach their goals and enjoy life more in the process!

TBMA: What is your favorite teaching method?

KaleyAnna: I value a balanced teaching style, incorporating ear training as well as developing music-reading skills and a foundational knowledge of music theory. One of my priorities is ensuring that students develop healthy technique which can prevent physical pain and enable them to play with freedom and enjoyment. I use the Suzuki method and incorporate supplemental materials (such as I Can Read Music, All for Strings, and Wohlfahrt etudes) to build a well-rounded music experience.

TBMA: When do you recommend starting private music lessons?

KaleyAnna: It can be wonderful to get an early start! I think the ideal starting age varies for different students. Around age 6, children are building language skills, developing fine motor control, and improving their ability to maintain focus for a lesson. However, there is not an age limit to starting. Playing music can be a wonderful, rewarding experience through all stages of life.

TBMA: What brought you to TBMA?

KaleyAnna: I had heard great things from TBMA faculty members who enjoyed teaching here. My friend Valeria told me about her teaching experience and I was impressed by the professionalism and organization, as well as the friendly and caring atmosphere created by the faculty.

TBMA: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

KaleyAnna: In addition to violin, I also have a passion for singing! I’ve had some wonderful experiences singing with the USF Chamber Singers and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. I have loads of fun singing in a women’s barbershop quartet named Duly Noted. With this group, I get to travel for performances, vocal workshops, and competitions. I love getting together with friends to sing tags and ring some chords! Aside from music, I love travelling, kayaking, hiking, and getting outdoors! I also love boba tea and reading a good book with my cat.

We’re thrilled to have KaleyAnna join our faculty, and we can’t wait for our students to get to know her better.

Welcome to TBMA, KaleyAnna!

This is a TBMA original article written for our Tampa Bay Music Academy readership by Susan McClure.  If you find it to be helpful, we would love for you to re-post it on your blog.  Please contact us first for permission.  Visit our website home for information on finding a music teacher in Tampa, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Citrus Park, Westchase, New Port Richey, Lutz, Trinity, Keystone, or Tarpon Springs Florida who offers private piano lessons, guitar lessons, saxophone lessons, voice lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons, cello lessons, flute lessons, or music lessons in any other instrument proficiency category.  TBMA teachers (piano, guitar, voice, flute, cello, violin, woodwinds, brass, strings, drums, percussion) pride themselves in a reputation for an uncompromising commitment to excellence and special care taken for every student. We remain absolutely committed to providing an outstanding enrollment experience beyond any other in the region.  Call us today.  We look forward to hearing from you!

The post Meet the New Teacher: KaleyAnna Raabe appeared first on Tampa Bay Music Academy.

What do the Seoul Grand Symphony Orchestra, Suzuki string methods, and TBMA have in common? They’re all favorites of our new violin teacher, Sungho Jung!

Tampa Bay Music Academy is pleased to welcome Sungho to our music faculty. As we start this new school year, we know our students and their families will enjoy getting to know Sungho as we pursue our love for music together.

Sungho holds a D.M.A. in Violin Performance from Michigan State University and a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Boston University. He also earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a performance certificate from Prague Conservatory in the Czech Republic.

Sungho has performed with a number of symphony orchestras and chamber music groups throughout his musical education and career. In 1998 at the age of 13, he performed as a soloist with the Seoul Grand Symphony Orchestra in Korea. In 1999, he won second prize in the Namyang City String Competition in Korea, and he returned to the competition the following year when he took first prize. He also performed at the Summit Chamber Music Festival in New York in 2005, at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival in Vermont in 2012-2014, and at the Brancaleoni International Music Festival in Italy in 2019.

Each of these experiences has shaped Sungho as a musician, preparing him to share his knowledge and skill with the next generation.

Sungho loves to instill the joy of music in students as they set their own goals and work toward their potential. That’s why he started the Musicista Chamber Music Series in Tampa.

To help our students and their families get to know Sungho better, we asked him a few questions about his musical experience:

TBMA: What is your favorite musical memory?

Sungho: My favorite musical memory is playing with the Seoul Grand Symphony Orchestra at the age of 13. I also have wonderful memories of playing in the Boston Symphony Hall when I studied music at Boston University.

TBMA: What is your favorite musical work that you have personally performed?

Sungho: Recently, my favorite musical work was Fanny Mendelssohn’s Piano trio. It was my first time playing a female composer’s piece, and it’s the only piano trio she wrote.

TBMA: How did you know you wanted to teach?

Sungho: I wanted to share the wonderful music experiences I’ve had with others, and I wanted to help students reach their own goals. I love watching students develop their playing and listening skills, and I enjoy watching the surprise on their faces when they learn to make a good sound.

TBMA: What is your favorite teaching method?

Sungho: For young students, I like to use Essential Elements for Strings, I Can Read Music, Suzuki, and Solos for Young Violinists/Violists. As students advance, I introduce other methods to help them reach their potential. I also use open string exercises to develop technical skill.

TBMA: When do you recommend starting private music lessons?

Sungho: As soon as the student begins playing. Students can get more details when they take private music lessons from the beginning as opposed to just playing in a group.

TBMA: What brought you to TBMA?

Sungho: I heard good things about TBMA from my friends who are faculty members (John and Valeria). Everyone is very passionate to teach and loves making music, and they are always friendly with the students.

TBMA: What do you enjoy when you’re not teaching or playing music?

Sungho: I like riding my bike, playing soccer, and playing with my two cats, Plum and Seri.

We’re so excited to kick off the new school year with Sungho, and we’re looking forward to helping our students grow in their love for music.

Welcome to TBMA, Sungho!

This is a TBMA original article written for our Tampa Bay Music Academy readership by Susan McClure.  If you find it to be helpful, we would love for you to re-post it on your blog.  Please contact us first for permission.  Visit our website home for information on finding a music teacher in Tampa, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Citrus Park, Westchase, New Port Richey, Lutz, Trinity, Keystone, or Tarpon Springs Florida who offers private piano lessons, guitar lessons, saxophone lessons, voice lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons, cello lessons, flute lessons, or music lessons in any other instrument proficiency category.  TBMA teachers (piano, guitar, voice, flute, cello, violin, woodwinds, brass, strings, drums, percussion) pride themselves in a reputation for an uncompromising commitment to excellence and special care taken for every student. We remain absolutely committed to providing an outstanding enrollment experience beyond any other in the region.  Call us today.  We look forward to hearing from you!

The post Meet the New Teacher: Sungho Jung appeared first on Tampa Bay Music Academy.

What do you think of first when you hear a talented artist perform? Do you think, Wow, I bet they really put a lot of time into their Hanon exercises when they were in 5^th grade? Probably not (unless you’re a teacher!). But you can bet that somewhere along the line, someone required that artist to practice technique – maybe even when they hated it and wanted to quit.

The truth is, we don’t think about all the behind-the-scenes work when we go to a concert. We just sit back and enjoy the result. But along the way, a whole lot of people put in a whole lot of effort to produce the music you’re hearing up on that stage.  I recently came across a Facebook post where Amanda Barrett, a veteran music teacher who owns a flute studio in upstate SC, compared teaching to baking a cake:

When an artist plays so beautifully, we admire their ability and often credit the work of the teacher or teachers who have put “the icing on the cake.” Yet someone stirred the batter, put the cake in the oven and took it out at just the right time. Sometimes we teachers have the joy of both baking and applying much of the icing (though frequently we send them on to have someone else add even more intricate design–as happens when a student graduates high school and moves on to college or conservatory), but sometime we bake the cake and someone else ices it entirely.”

Every student comes to his or her first lesson with a different set of raw ingredients. These might include natural talent, exposure to music at home or school, past musical experiences, parents with a musical background, or other things. But none of those ingredients alone can guarantee a good outcome. Someone has to bake the cake.

That’s why finding the right teacher is so important. At TBMA, we believe great teachers are more than the sum of their talent. So let’s take a look at a few of the qualifications you should look for when you’re choosing a teacher – whether your child is just starting out or you’re ready for someone who can take him or her to the next level:

• A teacher’s heart – Your child needs someone who knows how to communicate new ideas in a memorable, understandable way. A good teacher will make lessons fun, while at the same time requiring hard work. While no teacher’s style will be exactly the same as another’s, all really great teachers share a love for their students and a love for learning that flows over into their teaching style, whether they are problem solving through a difficult piece, introducing a new concept, or offering encouragement.
• Experience in the musical style your child wants to learn – Every teacher has a style they love and excel in, whether that’s classical, pop, or jazz. Most teachers also have a broad range of experience in various styles, so that they can help students reach a variety of musical goals. However, it’s important to talk to the teacher about what your goals for your child are, including the styles of music they want to learn, so that you can choose someone who knows how to help your child reach their goals. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t ask your child to explore different styles, but it does mean that they should provide opportunities to do what your child loves as well.
• Creative teaching methods – Not every child learns the same way. Some will instantly pick up a concept and run with it, while others will take more time. Some will need to have a new skill demonstrated and explained in a variety of ways before they master it. Look for a teacher who can think outside the box to help your child learn, even if they don’t get it the first time through the method book.
• A contagious love for music –Almost every talented musician can look back and point out a specific teacher who first sparked their love for music. That person may not have been the most talented, but they were passionate, and they had a contagious excitement that their students naturally picked up. If you find a teacher like this, you have found a true gem.

Finding the right teacher is an important part of baking your child’s musical cake so that it turns out just right, but there’s one more ingredient that can’t be overlooked: parental involvement. As teachers, we know that parents are the ones who make sure practice happens, encourage students to work hard and reach their goals, and celebrate the big wins.

Our job is made so much easier when parents are committed to the process.  If you’re a parent of one of our TBMA students – thank you! And if you’re considering music lessons for your child, remember that your support is just as important to your child’s success as what happens in the weekly lesson.

The post The Secret to Finding the Right Music Teacher for Your Child appeared first on Tampa Bay Music Academy.

Tampa Bay Music Academy is pleased to welcome Eleni Volonakis to our piano faculty! Eleni is a native of Rhodes, Greece and has taught piano for 18 years, both privately and in a conservatory setting. At the age of 12, she began studying with Achilles Kolasis at the “Ecole Normale de Musique” in Luzerne, Switzerland. She went on to earn a degree in Piano from Corelli Conservatory as well as a degree in Music Theory and Harmony from the Music Academy Conservatory in Athens, Greece.

In 2003, Eleni took her first job teaching piano and electric keyboard at Corelli Conservatory. In 2005, she transitioned to Rodion Pedia School in Rhodes, where she taught piano and music theory to elementary and high school students. It was during those early teaching years that Eleni discovered joy of sharing her passion for music with her students.

“When I received my first music degree, I was confused about which direction I should follow,” said Eleni. “To a young lady, all of the glamour and spectacle of being a concert pianist is very inviting: lights, scenery, people focused on you and most of all, applause and recognition for your art. It is very hard to pass by. It was during this time that I began giving lessons and working with young students. Although this didn’t lead me to the path of being a concert pianist, it gave me the opportunity to expose young minds to the incredible joy of making music. Working together with them and watching them progress was so rewarding that I decided that this was the path for me.”

In 2010, Eleni opened her own private music studio where she taught students of all experience levels, beginning at age four. In each lesson, Eleni strives to impart not only the basics of piano playing, but also knowledge of music theory. This gives her students a deeper appreciation for and understanding of music as a whole.

Eleni also has experience teaching students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia and ADHD. She has cultivated a teaching environment based on patience and mutual love of music, and many of her students have become lifelong friends.

To help our students and their families get to know Eleni better, we asked her a few questions about herself:

TBMA: What is your favorite musical memory?
Eleni: When I was nine years old my piano teacher asked my brother and me to play side by side for our recital. We were to play Mozart’s masterpiece, “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” on two grand pianos in a large local theater. When the day finally came, the theater with its lights, ambience, and a near-capacity audience left me in a state of euphoria. I still remember my delight when the audience stood and applauded. It was a memory I will never forget.

TBMA: What is your favorite musical work that you have personally performed?
Eleni: I have two favorites: Chopin Waltz No. 10 in B minor, Op.62, No. 2 and Chopin Waltz L’adieu Opus 69, No. 1 in A flat Major. They bring back memories of playing Chopin for the first time. As a pianist, I always think of Chopin as the master of personal expression. His music delves deeply into my innermost feelings and leads me to a mirror in which I find myself looking deeply at my own feelings.

TBMA: What do you love about teaching?
Eleni: There are many things! I love taking students on a personal journey of their understanding of music and piano, from their first days of exposure to the piano to a time when the piano can become either a place of great celebration or a place of escape and solace. Also, the one-on-one relationship between a piano student and their teacher is very special. For me, this is a great privilege and responsibility. I share and rejoice in the student’s progress.

TBMA: What is your favorite teaching method?
Eleni: My favorite teaching method is the Alfred Piano Method. This method is featured in a variety of books, including All-In-One piano course for children, a prep course and basic piano library, and is completely correlated and presented in progressive levels. One of the best things about the Alfred Piano Method is that they have a series that is packed with colorful graphics and is perfect for kids, and also one that is created with older students in mind.

TBMA: When do you recommend starting private music lessons?
Eleni: The best time to start piano lessons will be different for every child, but most will be ready between 5 ½ and 8 years old. My favorite age to start a student on piano lessons is 6 years old.  At this age, they’ve had a year of kindergarten and are used to adult-student learning.

TBMA: What brought you to TBMA?
Eleni: In scanning local opportunities on the internet, I first found TBMA. After communicating with TBMA, the concept of “teachers for teaching’s sake” and not all of the administration that goes with it, was very inviting.

TBMA: What do you love to do when you’re not teaching or playing music?
Eleni: I greatly enjoy photography. The camera and its products work in unison, as a time-machine, freezing people and places to a specific moment in time. I love how the way these pictures are rendered is left solely to the paint brush of the photographer. I also love traveling. The more I travel, the more I see, the more I love it.

We’re so thrilled to be able to share Eleni’s expertise and passion for teaching with our TBMA students and families.

Welcome to TBMA, Eleni!

This is a TBMA original article written for our Tampa Bay Music Academy readership by Susan McClure.  If you find it to be helpful, we would love for you to re-post it on your blog.  Please contact us first for permission.  Visit our website home for information on finding a music teacher in Tampa, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Citrus Park, Westchase, New Port Richey, Lutz, Trinity, Keystone, or Tarpon Springs Florida who offers private piano lessons, guitar lessons, saxophone lessons, voice lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons, cello lessons, flute lessons, or music lessons in any other instrument proficiency category.  TBMA teachers (piano, guitar, voice, flute, cello, violin, woodwinds, brass, strings, drums, percussion) pride themselves in a reputation for an uncompromising commitment to excellence and special care taken for every student. We remain absolutely committed to providing an outstanding enrollment experience beyond any other in the region.  Call us today.  We look forward to hearing from you!

The post Meet the New Teacher: Eleni Volonakis appeared first on Tampa Bay Music Academy.

At Tampa Bay Music Academy, we always strive to partner with teachers who are passionate about both music and teaching, and who have demonstrated exceptional skill in their areas of expertise. That’s why we are so thrilled to introduce our students and their families to our newest woodwind and brass instructor: Alex Ehredt.

Alex is a skilled saxophone performer and teacher with extensive experience teaching students at all levels, from beginners through university level. He has also published fifteen compositions for a variety of solo instruments and ensembles including solo saxophone, solo trombone, saxophone quartet, wind ensemble, and orchestra.

Alex holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa, a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Redlands in California and is currently working on his dissertation (a Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble) for a Doctor of Musical Arts from UW-Madison. He has also completed coursework in music theory pedagogy at the University of Redlands. This coursework included in-depth study of designing and teaching music theory course sequences at the university level. In 2018, he participated in a Composers Workshop at the International Trombone Festival, where his work was featured among a group of select global artists.

As Alex has continued to develop his musical talent and advance his professional career in music, he also places high priority on sharing that legacy with the next generation of musicians.

“I wanted to teach because of the amazing teachers and mentors that have helped me throughout my career,” said Alex. “If it was not for my first private saxophone teacher, Bill Garton, I would never have grown as a musician to the point of being able to attend college as a music major. It has always been my goal to pass his legacy along to my students and help them achieve their musical goals.”

To help our students and their families get to know Alex, we asked him a few questions about his musical journey and experiences.

TBMA: What is your favorite musical memory?

Alex: My favorite musical memory is performing John Corigliano’s Circus Maximus with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wind Ensemble in 2019. This piece was performed in a shared concert with the University’s Orchestra to celebrate the grand opening of the Hamel Music Center and honor the workers who helped bring the building to life.

Circus Maximus is a 30-minute epic work for an augmented wind ensemble featuring an actual marching band that parades through the audience, as well as portions of the ensembles in an antiphonal setting. One of those antiphonal sections is the saxophone section. We had the unique opportunity to perform from the resonating chamber of the concert hall, hidden out of sight from the audience. Getting to participate in the performance while simultaneously watching the piece unfold from off stage was truly an unforgettable experience.

TBMA: What do you love about teaching?

Alex: I love not only helping students to become better musicians, but also helping them find their musical voice. Music is such a personal experience, and it can only flourish if the individual is passionate about what they are playing or writing. I also enjoy helping students navigate through the expansive and eclectic repertoire to find what styles of music pique their interests.

TBMA: What is your favorite teaching method?

Alex: My favorite teaching method is grounded in fundamentals but also focuses on the individual musical tastes of the student. Once the fundamental groundwork is laid, I allow the student’s musical preferences to dictate the path we take. I have found that forcing a student to follow a predetermined path only leads to a lack of interest in music. On the other hand, if a student is excited about what they are practicing each week then they will continue to grow into the musician that they want to become.

TBMA: When do you recommend starting private music lessons?

Alex: I recommend starting private lessons as soon as a student begins learning an instrument. If the fundamental framework is formed from the start, then the student can begin progressing at an exponential level.

TBMA: What do you enjoy doing outside the music studio?

Alex: When I’m not writing, performing, or teaching I can be found cheering on my Philly sports teams (especially the Flyers) or the University of Wisconsin teams. I am also an avid hockey player and golfer.

TBMA: What brought you to TBMA?

Alex: Getting to be a part of the exceptional faculty at TBMA was one of the main factors that intrigued me. As someone who has taught at various music lesson programs around the country, I can say that the highly qualified faculty at TBMA is one-of-a-kind. Another reason I chose TBMA is to connect with and help grow the music community in the Tampa area.

We’re truly thrilled to welcome Alex to our faculty, and we look forward to sharing his talent and love for music and teaching with our TBMA families.

Welcome to TBMA, Alex!

This is a TBMA original article written for our Tampa Bay Music Academy readership by Susan McClure.  If you find it to be helpful, we would love for you to re-post it on your blog.  Please contact us first for permission.  Visit our website home for information on finding a music teacher in Tampa, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Citrus Park, Westchase, New Port Richey, Lutz, Trinity, Keystone, or Tarpon Springs Florida who offers private piano lessons, guitar lessons, saxophone lessons, voice lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons, cello lessons, flute lessons, or music lessons in any other instrument proficiency category.  TBMA teachers (piano, guitar, voice, flute, cello, violin, woodwinds, brass, strings, drums, percussion) pride themselves in a reputation for an uncompromising commitment to excellence and special care taken for every student. We remain absolutely committed to providing an outstanding enrollment experience beyond any other in the region.  Call us today.  We look forward to hearing from you!

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