{"id":1554,"date":"2021-06-03T10:27:04","date_gmt":"2021-06-03T14:27:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/famusic.fpcbonita.org\/?page_id=1554"},"modified":"2023-11-06T14:45:43","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T19:45:43","slug":"music-instructors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/famusic.fpcbonita.org\/music-instructors\/","title":{"rendered":"Music Instructors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Music Instructors<\/h2>\n

First Academy of Music of First Presbyterian Church<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"Thom<\/div><\/div>
Thom DeLessio<\/span>Director | piano and organ instructor <\/span><\/div><\/div>
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Meet Our Program Director<\/h3>\n

Thom is the organist, pianist, and Associate Director of Sacred Arts for First Presbyterian Church and Director of First Academy of Music. The collaborative pianist with the Naples Philharmonic Chorale continues to maintain his New Jersey–<\/strong>based piano studio virtually. As a long-time piano instructor, he strives for a comfortable studio in which his students are free to be expressive, laugh, enjoy music, and grow in their technique and repertoire.<\/p>\n

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Thom earned his undergraduate degree in Music Education and Organ from Westminster Choir College<\/a> and a graduate degree 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. He directed various choirs and ensembles including a K-12 choral program there. Thom also performed as a pianist with chorus groups and conducted choir tours in Europe and the U.S. Watch some of Thom\u2019s work by visiting his YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Meet Our Support Staff<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Dave and Michelle welcome students to their lessons each week, answer calls and emails, and provide valuable assistance to the Director and Instructors.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Meet Our Professional Educators<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Renata<\/div><\/div>
Renata Rozmus<\/span>violin and piano<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Beth<\/div><\/div>
Beth Clarke <\/span>piano | online lessons<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Beth is a National Music Teachers Association member with 35 years of experience in private organ and piano instruction. She holds an Associate of Arts degree from Stephens College and a BME in Piano from Indiana University. Before teaching, she played professionally throughout the Midwest and Florida. <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Diego<\/div><\/div>
Diego D\u00e1vila <\/span>piano<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Diego, originally from Peru, is an accomplished performer and accompanist. He is a church Director of Music and a Teaching Artist with United Arts Council of Collier County. He holds a music degree from Universidad Nacional de M\u00fasica de Lima and a BA in piano performance from Florida Gulf Coast University. <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Nanette<\/div><\/div>
Nanette Grant<\/span>violin, viola, cello and string bass<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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. <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Leah<\/div><\/div>
Leah Hassell <\/span>piano and guitar<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Leah is a former Lee County School District instructor in piano, guitar, orchestra, and chorus. She is also a professional accompanist and church worship leader with a BA in music education from Florida Gulf Coast University.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Anthony<\/div><\/div>
Anthony Herrera <\/span>guitar, bass, and violin | online lessons<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Juan<\/div><\/div>
Juan Manuel Alfaro <\/span>saxophone<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Kathleen<\/div><\/div>
Kathleen Osborn-Gerdes <\/span>voice<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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. <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Cathy<\/div><\/div>
Cathy Pflieger <\/span>strings and piano<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Sheila<\/div><\/div>
Sheila Phillips<\/span>piano and jazz piano<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Norma<\/div><\/div>
Norma Reynolds<\/span>piano and voice<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Norma is an instructor in piano and pre-teen voice; she has 19 years of experience teaching music in the public school system. Norma holds a BS and MA (cum laude) in music education from the University of Vermont.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Barbara<\/div><\/div>
Barbara Wischmeier <\/span>piano and organ<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Barbara is a church musician and formerly served as the Associate Director of Sacred Arts at First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, FL. She is the former Chair of the Fine Arts Department at St. James School in St. James, MD. Barbara earned a BA in piano from Judson University and a MM in organ from Northern Illinois University.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Don<\/div><\/div>
Don Goller <\/span>bagpipes<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Don has over 25 years of experience teaching bagpipe. He is a Grade 1 gold medalist in the Eastern U.S. Pipe Band Association and performs as the Pipe Major with the Harp and Thistle Pipe Band of SW Florida.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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