Music Instructors - First Academy of Music

Our Music Instructors

First Academy of Music of First Presbyterian Church provides high-quality musical instruction in a Christian environment for students of all ages and levels of skill. Vocal and instrumental lessons are available with the finest teachers who hold degrees and are experienced in their area of instruction. Instructors include professional educators, church musicians, symphony players, and active performers. Our desire is to nurture your musical interest and ability so that you will enjoy the benefits of music making for the rest of your life.

Thom DeLessioDirector | piano and organ instructor

Meet Our Program Director

Thom is the Organist, Pianist, and Associate Director of Sacred Arts at First Presbyterian Church, as well as the Director of the First Academy of Music. He also serves as the collaborative pianist for the Naples Philharmonic Choruses.

As a dedicated and experienced instructor, Thom is passionate about helping students develop a lifelong love of music. His teaching philosophy emphasizes joyful learning, regular practice, and the development of polished technique. He encourages each student to grow both musically and personally, fostering creativity, confidence, and a deep appreciation for the art of piano and organ playing.

Thom holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry from La Salle University. For over 20 years, he served as Director of Music for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen and the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in New Jersey, where he led choirs of all ages and directed music programs for students from kindergarten through high school.

Watch Thom’s performances on his YouTube channel.

Meet Our Support Staff

Darlene welcomes students to their lessons each week, answer calls and emails, and provide valuable assistance to the Director and Instructors.

Meet Our Professional Educators

Beth Clarke piano | online lessons

Beth has many years of experience as a professional musician as well as a piano instructor. She has played professionally in the Midwest and Florida and taught in the public school system as well as privately. She has a degree in music education and piano from Stephens College in Missouri as well as Indiana University School of Music. Her teaching goals include instilling a love of music in students as well as a development in playing skills. She enjoys teaching on all levels and strives to create an individual lesson program appropriate for each student.

Nanette Grantviolin, viola, cello and string bass

Nanette has built school orchestras in elementary, middle, high school, and college programs throughout the Lee and Collier County School Districts. In addition, she has taught private lessons with students ages 4 to 70. She currently teaches the String Methods and Materials class at FGCU and four-year-olds in the Music Scores! Program. Nanette holds a BS in Music Education from Ball State University and an MS from the University of Illinois.

Anthony Herrera guitar, bass, and violin | online lessons

Anthony is an elementary school teacher, and an active concert performer and wedding musician. He holds a BM from the University of New Mexico, majoring in classical and jazz studies, theory, and composition.

Juan Manuel Alfaro saxophone

Juan Manuel Alfaro received his musical training in saxophone, theory, harmony, and improvisation in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has been an active performer for 25 years and is an accomplished jazz soloist.

Kathleen Osborn-Gerdes voice

Kathleen is a music educator, church musician, choral director, and vocal coach. She holds BA in music education, voice, and organ from the University of Northern Iowa, and a MA in voice and choral performance from the University of Iowa. Kathleen earned a doctorate from Penn State University.

Cathy Pflieger strings and piano

Cathy is an active orchestra and chamber music performer. In addition, she has taught orchestra and chorus in the Collier County Public School System. Cathy holds a BM in education from SUNY.

Sheila Phillipspiano and jazz piano

Sheila has 30 years of experience teaching traditional piano and jazz improvisation; she was a professional pianist/vocalist in the Chicago area. Sheila holds a BME from Elmhurst College and can sometimes be seen at First Church as an accompanist on piano or organ.

Renata Rozmusviolin and piano

Renata was Strings Coach for the Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts and the Palm Coast Youth Symphony. She is also an active orchestral and freelance performer. Renata earned an MM from the Conservatory of Music in Katowice, Poland.

Alexandra Finepiano

Maria Alexandra Fine, who goes by Alex, earned a Bachelor of Music with High Distinction from Indiana University and has taught piano both privately and at First Academy of Music. She co-founded the Latin band West Side Tropico and currently performs with SambaLa, a trio rooted in Brazilian jazz and Latin American styles. She is classically trained and uses the classical method of teaching. Nevertheless, she enjoys helping students explore a wide range of styles, given her musical experience in other genres. Alex teaches students of all levels with a warm, structured, and imaginative approach that nurtures musical confidence and joy—whether a student is playing their first scale or preparing for a recital.

Dr. Asia Brutian-Grantpiano

Dr. Asia Brutian-Grant has taught piano in the United States for many years following her earlier teaching at Music Schools in Yerevan, Armenia, and also at the Jazz Studio of the Ministry of Culture in Yerevan. She holds a Doctorate in Piano Pedagogy from the Komitas Armenian State Conservatory.

Under Dr. Grant’s tutelage students have won piano competitions and were prepared to be accepted to Conservatory. She has performed many solo and duo concerts and has been in high demand to instruct Master Classes.

Dr. Grant enjoys teaching students at all levels from beginning to highly advanced. She speaks fluent English, Armenian, Russian, and some Spanish.