Casselberry Performing Arts Classes

the lesson. With an instrumental and choral background, Jill brings music to life and then shares with the students how to keep music in their lives forever. Many students who had vocal problems have achieved vocal success after taking several lessons with Jill and learning to keep their voices healthy for the rest of their lives.

Jill has worked with children, teens and adults in many schools, churches and after school programs that she designed. Her success with students who are very young or students who come with disabilities or autistic spectrum diagnosis are moved by the music Jill creates. With the help of the ORFF-SCHULWERK certification, Jill has many ways of reaching children through the use of instruments, rhythm activities, games and other fun ways of learning. Breaking barriers is Jill's best asset, she will not quit until the student has an understanding of the instrument or his/her voice.

The young and the older adults find that taking lessons with Jill has brought them to a place of realizing their potential. Successful stories include pre-school age through students who are retired. The length of time one studies depends on the student's practice and diligence. Many students have started with Jill in preschool or elementary school and have continued through high school and college. Several college age students wanted to improve their singing or instrumental skills so goals were set and met through Jill's successful teaching ability. Several students learn music theory and many students have learned song-writing and creating arrangements.

Many of Jill's students have become better musicians and a considerable number of students have chosen music professions for their careers. Multiple students have won contests, auditioned for parts in musicals, started local bands and have become songwriters and performers after taking lessons with Jill. One student has recently auditioned for American Idol and has made it through several auditions. Teaching a myriad of students from various places in the world who have come to the United States has been a great experience. The cultural differences makes the teaching of these students exciting since Jill learns about music in their own home countries. Some of the students are from China, Norway, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Colombia, Puerto Rico and many who moved to Florida from some other state in the U.S.A. What a joy it has been to learn to communicate with these students and to verify that music is a universal language. By special request Jill is available for online lessons through internet and devices as well as traveling to student locations when her schedule allows. Students interest in online or in-home lessons should send a message to her to request certain days and times of availability.

"Jill was Steinway Pianos" Concert and Artist Director in Dallas Tx in the 80's, working with Steinway artists and Dallas Symphony, Opera, Ballet and other events like planning pianos for Prince Charles' visit and many other concerts and events. Jill also performed in many Dallas Venues as well as providing pianos for the Cowboys, the clubs, hotels, country clubs and museums including The Dallas Museum of Art.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, plans succeed. " (Proverbs 15:22) It is Jill's belief that with her teaching qualifications and past record of success with student achievement and great experience studying with wonderful advisers, teaching YOU or YOUR CHILD will be one of success!

*** Lesson Details ***
Jill's teaching technique is flexible. Some students require a stern and strict approach while others seem to work best with more creative license. Jill is open to each student's needs. When booking lessons with Jill, one will find that the first thing she will do is find out more about the student's needs and desires to succeed in their chosen instrument. Meeting goals are important in music and in life!

Because of her flexible approach, method books vary depending on the student's need to succeed. Sometimes young students will need to review several beginning methods until their reading skills are achieved. For the young students, Jill teaches theory and gives the young students time during the lesson to explore musical symbols and try their hands at improvisation, rhythms, manuscripts and creativity.

Some students may desire to learn to play "by ear" or through improvisational skills. Jill is very good with improv and her song writing skills are strong. When a student desires to write music, Jill is there to help with questions about time signatures, note values, key signatures and transpositions.

Taking lessons with Jill is a journey that those who have tried have not had regrets. Several parents and past students would be happy to tell you how their talents and gifts improved after working with Jill for a few months. After three months of working together, Jill will know how to pursue the student's musical career. After 6 months the student will be able to play complete songs and have a sense of basic music theory. The hope is for the student to be confident of their instrument's abilities and to have a list of repertoire for upcoming events in the student's life.

Several of Jill's students have taken their skills, gifts and talents to the professional level. Students who have studied with Jill are professional music directors in high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, churches, soloists and some who are in school studying music as their major. Taking lessons with Jill will be something that will add value to the student's life forever because MUSIC is her life! Without music, the world would be a very dull place and individuals would be unhappy and depressed in every walk of life. Music brings out the beauty of creation and man's ability to skillfully play an instrument for pleasure or for one's occupation.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha Conservatory Grand
Yamaha keyboard
5 string bass guitar/amp
mandolin
5 string banjo
small MACKIE mixer with mics
Digital audio recording
computer
Gibson electric guitar with effects and amp
6 string Takamine e-coustic with amp
recorder (the instrument)
clarinet
violin
dulcimer
bongos
cymbals
tambourines and many percussion instruments
music stands
soprano and baritone ukuleles
trumpet
djembe
many amplifiers and sound system accessories
I-pad
drum set (at the Lake Underhill Rd. Orlando location only)
harmonica
various rhythm instruments
Wifi
Mallets and tone blocks

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide my own equipment, but I expect the student to provide his/her own instruments and music stand.

*** Specialties ***
My specialty in voice comes from years of lessons and performance experience. Including Solo gigs, bands and service performances such as parties, weddings, funerals, organizational roles, skills, clubs, recordings, hotels, country clubs, churches, schools and much more. She uses many methods, handouts and books to bring out various ideas to learn to sing correctly. Jill takes each individual at his/her level and tries to improve breathing technique, posture, enunciation with style and phrasing, depending on the student's aspirations.

Jill plays most instruments including piano, guitar, bass guitar, band instruments, ukulele, banjo, dulcimer, drums, percussion, harmonica, trumpet, clarinet, recorder, mandolin and violin. Jill enjoys many styles of music and she has played with many bands and groups throughout her musical career. She is a full time musician, music teacher and music director. Years of experience traveling the U.S. And Bahamas with bands, choirs and ensembles enables Jill to work well with many styles of music including contemporary, rock, Christian, Broadway, classical, country, bluegrass, jazz and her favorite, blues.

Sign up for five lessons today and you will not be disappointed.

Here's to your success!!!

to play with other musicians confidently.

*** Studio Equipment ***
The In-Studio lessons take place in the living room seating and a guitar are available. 1 cat and 1 small dog kept separate during lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will provide all of the necessary educational tools such as listening samples, and printed off hand outs. The student needs to have their own instrument, staff paper and a pencil.

valuated by developing a set of goals specific to each student. I find that allowing students input in originating goals facilitates a cooperative learning environment and allows me to tailor lessons to a student's interests, strengths and learning preferences. Providing students with a plan to succeed inspires a drive to learn and sense of achievement. I encourage students to play their instruments daily. Through consistent practice, students will benefit from increased discipline, patience, creativity and self-esteem. Students are rewarded with the chance to share what they've learned at recitals held biannually. For the duration of our lesson, my students are in a private, nurturing zone of free expression. Join me in an exploration of personal talent and creativity!

Nicole has performed with the Rollins College Bach Festival Society Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. John V. Sinclair. She has also performed with the Florida Space Coast Philharmonic under the direction of Dr. Candler Schaffer. She is experienced as a session musician, recording vocals and violin at Wright Entertainment Group Studios (Justin Timberlake) with producer Will Baker (India Arie, Pink). She has performed as a soloist at the White House, Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, Amway Arena, and Hard Rock Live.

Nicole holds Bachelor of Arts degrees (with honors) in Music and Anthropology, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Rollins College. A member of the Honors Program (top 2%), and one of nine Cornell Scholars in her graduating class, she is very grateful to have been awarded a full academic scholarship. Nicole pursued concentrations in Violin and Vocal Performance, as well as Ethnomusicology. Nicole served as co-concertmaster of the Rollins College Orchestra and String Ensemble for three, consecutive years, under the direction of Dr. John V. Sinclair. She was featured at Christmas Vesper services in a solo performance of Winter (The Four Seasons) by Vivaldi, at the Knowles Memorial Chapel. Nicole has studied violin with Joni Roos and Alvaro Gomez, protege of David Oistrakh. She has performed as a soloist with the Rollins College Gospel and Concert Choirs and studied vocal pedagogy and performance with Dr. Edmund Leroy and Dr. Lori Lovell. At Rollins, Nicole studied piano with Dr. Gloria Cook and enjoys playing classical, jazz, and Latin styles. Nicole has studied classical guitar for seven years and especially enjoys playing Latin American folk music and flamenco. Nicole pursued her love of world music in publishing her senior honors thesis, “Cultural Fusion of Music Constructs: A Look at Hybrid World Styles,” analyzing the effects of globalization on traditional, ethnic musics. She has published research in the Rollins Undergraduate Research Journal, where she also served as Music and Anthropology Editor for three years.

s and princes, Francesca has high expectations and is skilled in helping her students reach their goals.

Now performing in the Donald Brinager Singers, a studio choir for-hire, Francesca can often be seen performing with orchestras throughout Southern California. While mentoring through her award-winning teaching studio, Francesca also manages to perform several showcases featuring her original music with her amazing back-up ensemble.

With a constant effort to maintain a professional studio learning environment and with a focus on reading skills and solid technique, Francesca's students enjoy lessons packed with information and light-heartedness. The one on one experience you will have the moment you walk thru the door promises to be unmatched. Francesca's students can be seen on major television networks, radio stations and performing around town in various projects. With a passion to give back, Francesca reserves a small number of spots in her schedule for the youngsters and seniors of her community. She teaches beginning through advanced guitar, piano, and voice.

*** Lesson Details ***
Voice and Instrument Coaching

~Develop skills and techniques for top notch practice and performance
~Study theory, composition, ear training, arranging, improvisation
~Discover music technology and performance techniques
~Study melody, harmony, song form and lyric writing

Artist Development

~Voice and Instrument Coaching
~Song Writing and Selection
~Demo Recording
~Image / Art / Photography Consulting
~Finding your signature sound and style
~Live Performance 101
~Branding / Career Planning and Strategy
~Song Analysis and Consulting
~Booking gigs

A Note From Francesca:

My official bio is listed below, but perhaps more important than the things I have done are the things that I am doing. I am now approaching my 15th year of teaching. I love to teach! I carry a minimum of 30 students, but have carried more then 80 at one time, and have never once complained. My waiting list cycles based on my performance schedule and recording schedule. If you don't see a time that works for you, feel free to reach out and see if we can find something that works, as an artist, my schedule can be quite full but also quite flexible. I love my students, I get to do what I love all day and I am sure it shows. I have a blast discovering new ways to experience music with "my kids." I call all of my students kids even though most of my studio consists of young adults. I try to have a young air in my classes at all times as it just makes the process so much more fun for everyone.

I've seen it all in through years: kids, adults, beginners and advanced students. I am personally very interested in being the most versatile musician possible and I love being able to share my knowledge with my students. We can study anything and everything from Classical Guitar to Electric Guitar Shredding; from Opera to Kelly Clarkson; from Tchaikovsky to Little Richard! I love getting students to dabble in little bits of all genres, often getting even the most skeptical student singing and playing comfortably in a matter of just a few weeks. My students will be able to read music for their favorite tunes and understand how to improvise from the start. Once you come in, you'll be hooked. You will have fun because I am having fun!

I encourage all of my students to share their favorite music with me. It affords me the opportunity to learn more about what they desire to learn and what types of music they enjoy. We will learn with your music often. After all, isn't that why you are coming to see me? I will introduce you to new sounds and styles, but will foster your love for music, and do my best to never force my music on students. I feel I learn as much from my students when I truly listen to them and their music as they do from me.

On site lessons are available for artists recording demos, rehearsing bands and setting up their own studios.

On a side note, I love seeing students at my shows! I am a full time musician and can be seen playing with my band, in my own solo project and in various choral settings. Check out my website and see what I do outside of the classroom. My students get a kick out of the idea that they can buy a CD with their teachers face on it, and to be honest, so do I. Many of my students have their own music out on iTunes and YouTube. Many more can be seen performing around town in solo projects and professional ensembles.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Pianos, Guitars, Basses, Amps, Computer, Monitors, Music, Recording Software, Drum Kit, Studio and Performance Mics, everything we need! Its like Disneyland for musicians!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Varies

*** Specialties ***
Francesca on Artist Development:

I feel obligated to share my joys and experiences-

Not many people have been blessed to sing alongside as many renowned musicians as I have - I've been lucky to be welcomed in both the commercial and classical worlds and they have both afforded me venues to use my voice and express the most vital corners of my soul. To find your purpose through art is one of the greatest gifts you can receive. And to be able to do that in front of thousands of music lovers live or over the airwaves is a surreal experience.

It'€™s funny, my classical cronies are impressed to hear my stories of packed rock gigs at the House Blues and national touring festivals like Warped Tour and my rock buddies ask to hear my stories of Disney Hall performances with the LA Phil. To be honest, Iâ'm impressed to be there too. Sometimes, I look around and think, how did I get here? How did I get lucky enough to live the dream, to find a home in music?

I've been luckier than most. I've had GREAT mentors who have always pushed me forward and shared their wisdom freely with me. Part of the classical musician's central goal is to educate. That'€™s a value I carry into my rock projects and production studio. Work smarter, not harder. Take the needed skills, create art, teach others how to do the same thing, move forward together to live happier, more productive lives filled with purpose.

I have come to be known as one of the top Musical Mentors & Artist Development Experts on the west coast. A behind the scenes- diva of dream building with the skills to push artists to the next level- the ace up the sleeve of many of today working talents. In my award winning studio, I spend time coaching the young voices and faces of today hottest TV shows seen on ABC, Nickelodeon, and the Disney Channel, but I still have a soft spot for up and comers in the indie music world. Having written and performed my own music for decades, I not only lived the collegiate experience of the elite classical performer singing for presidents and world leaders, but also the dingy road of the rock musician who'€™s showed one night to a packed stadium full of fans and showed up another, thousands of miles from home to play to a coffee shop of 5 people. Music has brought me to nearly every continent and introduced me to some of the most talented and diverse people you can imagine. I feel compelled to share these experiences with those around me so that they my develop the vision, the salt and the skills to persevere.

I am, above all, an artist & creator- living the dream, helping people- like you find their voice and write their songs. Turning raw emotion into art.

Each one of us has a story, our truth. Being an artist is about finding ourselves, our song and expressing it publicly so that we may heal, so that we may grow.

It doesn't take a ton of experience to write a hit song. It doesn't take a fancy education or a family line of talent (though it can help). We can all find our voice, our place in the spotlight, what it takes is the courage to take the next step forward.

You've already had the genius to be in the right place at the right time. Here. If you've made it this far, chances are you are smart enough, hungry enough and ready to take the plunge.

Inside my studio you will find the help you seek. I can impart you with proven techniques to strengthen your sound, develop your tone through strong technique, develop strategies to share your art and develop a plan to turn pipe dreams into reality. Some desire to sing on the worlds brightest stages, others strive to lead others through teaching themselves, and some wish for nothing more than to experience music in a confident manner among friends. All can be lead on this personal journey of the artistic soul and all can make their offering to the musical gods. There is a place at the table for anyone seeking an answer.

ed with a number of bands over the years and has done freelance vocal and keyboard work with a number of performers.

Scott's musical career began with the Sing Out Long Island cast of Up with People in 1968. He made his Baritone Solo debut at Columbia Teacher's College in New York City in Dave Brubek's "Light in the Wilderness"

*** Lesson Details ***
Lesson Details
I will train you for recitals, competitions, a music career, or just for fun! With extensive experience in classical and contemporary music, I put equal focus on technique and fostering a musician'€™s personal style and passion for music.

A recorder is available so students can track their performance audibly!

I make special efforts to invest in each student's particular needs, utilizing a variety of tools such as flash cards and supplemental workbooks, e.g. ear training, sight reading, note spelling, etc.

I offer the option to include MIDI training (recording) as part of lesson time so the student can learn to arrange, compose, and/or produce their own music as well.

All ages and levels welcome.
For voice students, it is recommended that a beginning student be at least 12 years of age, due to the dangers of damaging the instrument due to proper misuse of the voice.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home studio includes grand piano, music stand, portable recorder and teaching materials. Also available is an electronic keyboard, amplification, computer with recording software, microphones and music printing capability.

*** Travel Equipment ***
All teaching is in my home studio.
Electronic equipment is available for outside recitals or performances as needed.

ile performing arts programs.

*** Lesson Details ***
Private Lessons

Lessons Currently Offered

Voice

Acting

VOICE

The private voice lesson is designed to teach the student to sing with proper vocal technique and to learn appropriate stage presence, one-on-one (instructor and student), and is tailored to fit each student's individual needs.

Students will learn proper vocal placement, pitch control, ear-training , breath support , note reading , musicianship, self-confidence, music instruction and much more. Lessons will include studying a wide variety of vocal styles and/or languages, with various degrees of difficulty, tailored to the needs of the individual learner.

ACTING

The private acting lesson is designed to teach the student the tools they need to succeed as performers. Learn terminology, skills, and build confidence. Older students will focus on Audition, Scene Study, and Improvisation.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Keyboard

*** Travel Equipment ***
Keyboard

*** Specialties ***
Acting Coaching
Voice Lessons
Mommy and Me Classes
Fairy Tale Theater
Home School Classes

and Orlando.

Seniors welcomed too!

Success and confidence have no age limits; this is my philosophy. I look forward to helping you reach your goals!