Our Instructors

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Mr. Norman has enjoyed teaching and helping students of all ages for 34 years in achieving their goals in learning to play their instruments. He received his Bachelor of Music degree with a major in Music Education from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia.  He has performed professionally with big bands including the Cavaliers in Columbus, Georgia, and The Notables in Atlanta, Georgia.  He has also founded and directed bands in both the business sector and in churches.  A former band director in the public schools, he teaches many instruments, including piano, classical-style guitar, flute, saxophone, clarinet, and even banjo.  For the past 29 years, Norman has enjoyed working one-on-one with novice musicians, giving them a solid foundation in instrumental technique and musical knowledge, as well as those who have some experience on their instruments and who are looking to advance.  His goal for every student is to experience learning their instrument in an environment that is encouraging and rewarding.  He uses various published methods depending upon the individual student’s needs and desires in playing their music.  Mr. Norman stresses learning to read music notation so that every student can approach with confidence any piece of music that he or she would like to play.  He enjoys helping students prepare for auditions such as All-State band and helping students who are preparing for evaluations.  With the proper dedication, Norman believes every student can enjoy making music in a short time, always improving along their musical journey.

Ms. Kaylee Smith started playing the violin when she was eight years old in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she studied with the Co-Concert Master of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and played in the Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra. When she moved to Florida at age ten, she played violin in the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and studied under many local musicians. After a few years, she moved to the Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, where she continued playing until she began studying violin performance as a freshman at the University of South Florida. In summer 2023, Kaylee studied at the Montecito Music Festival in Thousand Oaks, California, and studied at the Winold Music Festival in summer 2024. She graduated with her bachellor's degree in violin performance in May 2025 and has continued to teach violin and piano privately and at music schools in the Tampa Bay Area. 

Mr. Michael is a student at Hillsborough Community College who studies music under the music pathway program, specializing in jazz piano. Mr Michael is always pushing himself in his studies to become a better musician, learning all he can about music. Mr Michael’s passion for music started in choir when he was a part of the FMEA All-State Men’s choir and as well as the FMEA All-State Mixed Choir. Mr Michael as well received private piano lessons from his teacher Eli and quickly learned about jazz and improvisation with his background knowledge of music theory. Mr Michael specializes in making music theory simple for students of all ages, and finds that he can adapt his teaching methods based on age, capabilities, and as well as requests. Mr Michael finds teaching very rewarding and loves to spread his passion for music with each one of his students and hopes to develop their endless love for music. He is highly knowledgeable in musical theater and often prepares students for various auditions and talent shows. 

Mr. Emory  graduated with his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of South Florida where he received a Merit Award for Outstanding Percussionist in 2001 and served as graduate teaching assistant from 2005-2007 where he taught private lessons and directed the USF percussion ensemble. Mr. Emory serves the music community as both a performer and educator. His performance credits include live performances with Marie Osmond, Aretha Franklin, Mannheim Steamroller, Michael W Smith and Dennis DeYoung as well as serving as a substitute percussionist and timpanist with the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. In summer of 2003, Emory toured and performed with the 7 time world champions, The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corp. As an educator, Mr. Emory has served as a front ensemble technician for various high school groups across the Tampa Bay area and the greater Houston area where he was also an Adjunct Professor of Music at San Jacinto College. Mr. Emory also has recording credits as a featured soloist with the McCormick Percussion Group under the Ravello Records label. He also teaches piano and music theory to students ages 5 and up.  

Mrs. Kenlyn is a 3rd-generation ARCT (University of Toronto, Canada) qualified Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) piano teacher. Her mother and grandmother were also RCM graduates through the University of Toronto. She has 30+ years of teaching and examination preparation experience with all age groups --- teaching all levels from beginners to advanced.
 

Member of the following:
MTNA (Music Teachers National Association)
FMTA (Florida State Music Teachers Association)
 

Currently Certified RCM Specialist in:
Elementary Piano
Intermediate Piano
Advanced Piano
Elementary Theory
Intermediate Theory

Ms. Alivia Lauritsen began music at the age of four, eventually participating in orchestra at 10. Being a member of the George Steinbrenner Orchestra, she has performed in Florida’s All County Orchestra twice and has earned superiors and superiors with distinction in the Solo and Ensemble Judging Event for strings. She specializes in violin, but has also studied piano for many years and is well versed in music theory. Having been a camp counselor for several summers, she is experienced in helping kids pay attention and understand material.