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Meet Our Music Teachers!
We have over 25 professional music instructors at Playground Music teaching a wide variety of instruments, styles and techniques. From youngsters to band students to older professional and non-professional music lovers, we can help improve your skills or get you started on the right track! |
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Tony Leonard - President PMC
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Instruments: |
Brass & Woodwinds |
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Qualifications: |
Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Florida with over 3 years teaching and performing experience. |
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Background: |
President of PMC and member of Playground Swing |
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Availability: |
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Michael Walker - Director of Education
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Instruments: |
Brass, Woodwinds, Vocals and String Orchestra |
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Qualifications: |
Bachelor's in Music Education with over 25 years teaching and performing experience. Elementary and Middle School Band and Orchestra teacher, Conductor for DC Youth Orchestra Program, Music Director of Playground Big Band. |
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Background: |
A native of Washington D.C., Michael is an accomplished performer, director and teacher. He has performed on live TV, recording projects and played concerts throughout the US and abroad. |
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Availability: |
Monday - Friday | |
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Merilyn Anderson
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Instruments: |
Piano & French Horn |
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Qualifications: |
Piano Major and French Horn Minor from Livingston State University |
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Background: |
More than 40 years of teaching and performing experience. |
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Accomplishments: |
Merilyn has performed with the Pensacola and Okaloosa Symphony Orchestras. She is the keyboardist for the White Sands Dance Band, and a ringer with the Eglin Bell Choir. |
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Availability: |
Monday through Friday | |
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Brent Purcell
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Instruments: |
Drums and Percussion |
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Background: |
Born in Larne, County Antrim, Ireland, Brent graduated form Florida State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Brent is considered one of the most versatile, musical drummers in the Florida Panhandle and has a growing cadre of students under his tutelage. Brent is also a very experienced sound and recording engineer with expertise in many music hardware/software applications. |
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Availability: |
Mondays and Wednesdays | |
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Justin Rogers - Playground Rock
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Instruments: |
Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin & Bass Guitar
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Qualifications: |
Graduate of the Berklee College of Music |
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Background: |
Justin began playing guitar since he was 13 and grew obsessed with the instrument, music, and the need to entertain. As years passed, he found the power of jazz and never looked back. He has performed in front of thousands of people up and down the East coast. |
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Accomplishments: |
. Justin records, and performs in numerous bands including the Dog Spankin Monkeys, The Playground Swing, TMJ Lockjaw, as well as various side projects. He also performs solo jazz guitar at various weddings, private parties, and restaurants. |
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Availability: |
Monday - Saturday | |
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Michael Reschke - Playground Rock
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Instruments: |
Drums |
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Qualifications: |
Studied with Roxy Petrucci, Akira Jimbo and Kozo Suganuma |
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Background: |
With over 30 years of playing experience in the United States and Japan and over 8 years of teaching to his credit, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Playground staff.
Michael's background includes work in many styles of music ranging from rock and metal to progressive rock and jazz, with a healthy dose of funk just to round things out. His experience is sure to help any budding drummer reach their goals and dreams.
As a lifelong student of drumming, he has taken lessons with drumming greats here in the United States and Japan. His first teacher, Roxy Petrucci of Vixen fame laid the foundation for Michael becoming a very skilled drummer. While stationed in Japan with the Air Force, Michael was fortunate to take lessons with famed fusion drummer Kozo Suganuma of the band Fragile. Michael also participated in Master Classes with Japan’s own Akira Jimbo |
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Availability: |
Monday – Thursday 11 AM -7PM and Saturday 9:30 – 12:30 PM | |
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Steve Spayde
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Instruments: |
Guitar and Bass |
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Qualifications: |
Steve has been a professional guitarist with numerous groups and as a soloist for over 35 years. |
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Background: |
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Availability: |
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SueZahn O'Neil
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Instruments: |
Piano, Beginning Voice, All Band, Beginning Strings |
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Qualifications: |
Over 25 years of Professional Teaching experience |
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Background: |
Sue began teaching at Playground in the 80's and has had as many as 120 students per week. She taught in North Dakota through the 90's in the public school system. Sue has returned to Playground Music Center full-time as a favored teacher with vast experience. Welcome back Sue!! |
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Availability: |
Tuesdays through Saturdays 9-7 |
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John Bastone
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Instruments: |
Guitar, Bass, String Bass & Tuba |
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Qualifications: |
2 years - State University College, Potsdam, NY |
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Background: |
Private and Group instruction at PMC since 1989, Guitar Classes - Syracuse NY public schools. Over 50 years professional playing experience. |
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Accomplishments: |
Played with The Drifters, Buddy DeFranco, Salt City Six, Richmond IN Symphony. |
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Availability: |
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Mike Hoberg
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Instruments: |
Guitar, Beg. Flute, Beg. Clarinet and Beg. French Horn |
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Qualifications: |
A.A. from OWCC, BA in Music Performance from UWF |
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Background: |
Private and Group instruction since 1995 |
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Accomplishments: |
Roles in OWCC productions of Brigadoon, Fiddler on the Roof, and Man of La Mancha. Performed at Disneyworld. Guest guitarist with NFSO. |
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Availability: |
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John Dowler
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Instruments: |
Woodwinds and Brass |
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Qualifications: |
BA in Music Education and BA in Jazz Studies from Southern Miss. |
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Background: |
Private and Group instruction since 2004 |
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Accomplishments: |
Recorded on Sax Chamber Orchestra CD "America Remembers". Performed at World Saxophone Congress, Kennedy Center. |
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Availability: |
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Debbie Durham
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Instruments: |
Piano and Voice |
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Qualifications: |
Bachelor's in Music Education and has over 25 years teaching experience, from preschool and public school music programs, to childrens choirs. |
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Background: |
Debbie is an accomplished performer, composer and director and has performed as a soloist, ensemble, and church choir vocalist. She has been honored to be selected to travel to Uganda, Africa in 2006. There she conducted music camps for children as part of the African Childrens Choir "Music for Life" program. |
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Availability: |
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Afternoons | |
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Kelly Deklinski
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Instruments: |
Brass and Woodwinds |
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Qualifications: |
Bachelor's in Music Education and a Master's in Trumpet Performance. |
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Background: |
TBA |
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Availability: |
Monday - Wednesday afternoons | |
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David Pretlow
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Instruments: |
Violin, Guitar, Bass and String Orchestra |
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Qualifications: |
Bachelor of Arts from Emory University with 15 years of professional experience. 2005 finalist in the Great American Songwriter Competition. |
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Background: |
David attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts and studied privately members of the Boston Symphony and Cleveland Symphony. Studied Music Theory at the New England Conservatory of Music. |
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Availability: |
Tuesday - Thursday 3-7 p.m. | |
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Jenese Harvey
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Instruments: |
Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone |
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Qualifications: |
Bachelor's of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of Central Florida. |
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Background: |
Private and Group instruction since 2001 |
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Accomplishments: |
UCF Wind Ensemble & Orchestra, Brevard Co. Symphony Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, NW Florida Symphony Orchestra, |
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Availability: |
Saturday 10 - 12 | |
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Stephen Brown
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Instruments: |
Voice, Composition & Arranging |
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Qualifications: |
Olivet College – Bachelor of Arts Vocal Music |
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Background: |
The Mello-Tones A professional R&B vocal Quartet.
Accappella Choir International Choir Festival (Hague Netherlands) Winners 1967.
Featured soloist. Performed for Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter.
Youth For Understanding Chorale Featured Soloist, Barbershop Quartet, and “Soul Group” Toured Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay
Stephen Brown’s Noteworthy Music Productions
Cole’lition Featured guest soloist for a Jazz band out of Seattle.
Music Theater
Oliver – Chorus, Dancer, Acrobat.
Fiddler on the Roof – Featured soloist, chorus and dancer.
My Fair Lady – Zoltan Karapathy, chorus and dancer. |
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Availability: |
Tuesday - Thursday afternoons | |
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Matt Seaton
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Instruments: |
Marching Percussion |
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Background: |
Private and Group instruction since 2007 |
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Accomplishments: |
Choctawhatchee Style Marchers Snare Line, Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps |
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Availability: |
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Danita Marcum
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Instruments: |
Woodwinds and Brass |
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Qualifications: |
Bachelor's in Music Education, Mississippi State U. |
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Background: |
Aviano Community Band, Eglin Ceremonial Band, Christian Symphonic Band & Strings, 22 years private lessons |
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Availability: |
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Donnie Morgan
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Instruments: |
Drums |
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Background: |
With 28 years of performing experience, 10 years of teaching experience and numerous successful musical endeavors under his belt, Donnie Morgan brings a wealth of credentials to the table.
Having played many different musical styles, ranging from the bombastic energy and showmanship of rock and metal---to the finesse of jazz; from the frenzied spontaneity of fusion to the pocket-groove of funk and all points in between, he can provide the tools necessary for any aspiring drummer to excel.
Donnie has shared the stage with Nazareth, Molly Hatchet, Nuclear Assault, Down, Bering Strait and Bertie Higgins. He co-founded Acoustic Union, Lucky Henry, Deathgrip and Psychotic I and has performed with Pain Principle and Left Hand Black. He even got a call from George Clinton inviting him to perform with
Parliament/ Funkadelic one evening!
Donnie is an active songwriter, local performer and session player. He also has had the pleasure of touring Japan with long-time collaborators; fusion/jazz trio Lucky Henry and rock act Sounding Rick. |
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Availability: |
Friday & Saturday | |
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