Information About Our Instructors

At Music Lessons Express, our instructors are talented musicians and teachers who are dependable and work well with students of all ages, especially kids! Many of our instructors have received or are pursuing advanced degrees in music, and perform professionally in Tallahassee as well as internationally. Additionally, each instructor has passed the required background clearance as facilitated by the LCSB office. As a student or parent, we encourage you to be in frequent contact with your instructor to improve the quality of your music lessons experience. We do not distribute instructor phone numbers, but have provided their email addresses for you below.

Adam Kossler
As a native of Winston-Salem, NC, Adam received his undergraduate degree in guitar performance from East Carolina University in Greenville. He went on to get a master's degree as a teaching assistant at Appalachian State University. His teaching experiences have taken him throughout the United States and into Canada, instructing at Suzuki and other music workshops and institutes. Now as a performer and student at FSU, Adam is the teaching assistant for Bruce Holzman and is finishing a DMA in Guitar Performance.

Alice Eddins
"Miss Alice" as her students and friends lovingly call her, received her Master of Music Degree from Florida State University with a major in voice. She also earned many additional credits through her minors in Piano, Piano Pedagogy and Art History. She has sung leads in opera and operetta, most notably as Fiordiligi in Mozaart's "Cosi fanTutti. She has also taught in Florida and Illinois public schools, where she directed Madrigal Dinner Concerts and in North Carolina where she was Supervising Teacher of Music at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. Prior to joining the Cultural Center, "Miss Alice" taught piano and voice in her private studio for over twenty years. Recently, she has been an accompanist-pianist for several local churches and a member of Thomasville Singers.

Andrew Stroud
Andrew Stroud began studying music and the classical guitar with his father while living in Corsham, England. By the time he left the U.K. for the United States at the age of 10, Stroud had already given his first public recitals (in Corsham and Swindon) and had passed his Royal Conservatory exams with honors. Andrew has enjoyed success at many international competitions including the Columbus State Guitar Symposium (2001,2002,2007), Guitare Lachine Competition (2003), Schadt String Competition (2008), the Dr. Luis Sigall Competition (2009), Guitar Foundation of America Competition (2006), and the Christopher Parkening Competition (2006, 2009). As a soloist, Andrew has enjoyed performing in a wide array of venues. Among them are the Festival Mediterreano della Chitarra in Italy, featured solo performances in West Palm Beach's Gala Concert and a performance at the Veteran World Fencing Championships Gala. As a Chamber Musician, he has performed in diverse roles ranging from orchestral music to opera. He has been featured on local and national broadcasts on television and NPR. In 2009, Andrew made his South American debut, giving master classes and concerts in Chile. Among his other endeavors have been lectures, master-classes and teaching. Stroud has been a faculty member of Stetson University's Community School for the Arts, Florida State University, Tallahassee Community College, Chipola College, Thomas University, and as a guest of schools throughout Florida. He has published and recorded for the Hands on Teaching method, and has been published in Soundboard magazine. Stroud is currently continuing his doctorate at Florida State Univeristy where he serves as assistant to Bruce Holzman.

Brandon Robertson
As 1/3 of the Zach Bartholomew Trio, Brandon has a strong passion for music, both performing and teaching. He received his degree in music performance, specifically in jazz studies. With experience teaching lessons on both the upright and electric bass, he is a professional musician with lots to offer his students!

Brett Wellman
Having started playing the violin at age 5 through the Suzuki method, Brett has spent his life surrounded by music. While working on his degree in sociology at FSU, he began performing live around Tallahassee, playing blues guitar. In 2007, he recorded the music for a Public Radio International program about Zora Neale Hurston, which was turned into a high school educational program that was distributed internationally. Brett can be found at the MLE office as the program coordinator during the week, as well as instructing students on the guitar and violin. For the latest on Brett's musical endeavours, click here.

Chris Madden
Born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Christopher Madden is currently a graduate teaching assistant at Florida State University pursuing a M.M. in Piano Pedagogy. In 2011, he received both a B.M. in Piano Performance and a M.A. in Music Theory and History from The Pennsylvania State University. He currently studies piano with Read Gainsford, and he has also received training from Enrico Elisi and Marylene Dosse. As a performer, Christopher's playing has earned him numerous awards, including the Marjorie Jane Brewster Memorial Scholarship and the William J. and Lois Kesterson Leight Memorial Scholarship. He has also performed as both a soloist and chamber musician in venues throughout the United States and Italy. A dedicated teacher, Christopher maintained an active studio of six piano students while in Pennsylvania, and he now enjoys working at Music Lessons Express in Tallahassee!

Deanna Szabo

Derrick Koelsch
New to Tallahassee from Southern California, Derrick Koelsch is pleased to join the staff at Music Lessons Express. An accomplished vocalist, he has performed with groups such as the Academy Award winning "Young Americans", "The Alley Cats", and his own Orange County-based group "The K.C.B Trio". Derrick has had the opportunity of performing with solo jazz artists such as Nancy King, Steve Christoperson, Kristen Korb, Michelle Weir, Matt Falker, and Sunny Wilkinson. In 2009 Derrick received a Down Beat Magazine award for Best Arrangement for his a cappella reworking of Wayne Shorter's "Night Dreamer", re-titled "Begotten Dreams". Derrick is also a featured soloist on the "Ben Folds College A cappella" album, "The Young Americans Live" album, and "Elevator Music Entertainment's 2010 Compilation" album. Being a versatile vocalist, Derrick is keen to offer a broad range of styles and skills to his students. His favorite styles to teach include jazz, pop, funk, soul, musical theater and vocal percussion. Derrick's aim is to nurture his students' excitement about music, while instilling proper vocal technique that may be needed to advance their artistry. He strives to aid his students in becoming confident, well rounded musicians, while giving them a positive environment where they can have fun and enjoy music.

Eric Newberry
Eric can be found teaching group and private guitar lessons at Gallops afterchool. He is currently a senior and studying audio production at FSU. Eric is a blues guitar player and has been playing for ten years as well as bluegrass mandolin. He has 4 years of experience teaching music to students of all ages and skill levels, and is excited to have the opportunity to work with you or your child!

Glen Buys

Jared Pemberton
As a senior at the College of Music at FSU, Jared has played the piano for most of his life. Not to be confined by one instrument, he also can play electric bass, guitar, and drums. Jared is excited to be a part of the MLE instructor staff and has experience teaching lessons at many of the schools in the Tallahassee area.

Jennifer Morgan
Jennifer Morgan is a doctoral student at The Florida State University where she is pursuing a DMA in violin performance and a Music Theory Pedagogy Certificate. She has played with Opera in the Ozarks, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Panama City Pops Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, and Plainview Symphony Orchestra. Jennifer's teaching experience includes working as a teaching assistant at The Florida State University, serving as adjunct strings instructor at Wayland Baptist University, being a section and chamber music coach for Tallahassee Youth Orchestras and Lubbock Youth Symphony Orchestra, teaching strings class at Plainview Christian Academy, and teaching privately. She holds a BM in music education from Wayland Baptist University, and an MM in violin performance from Texas Tech University.

Josh Schmidt

Justin Crews

Justin Crews got his start in music taking guitar lessons as a child. While in Jacksonville, he studied with Dr. John Shaffer and Ron Johnson and started to teach guitar at age fourteen. He graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, FL in 2007 and is currently a senior Music Education and Philosophy student at Florida State University.

Lindsey Benedict
Lindsey Benedict, owner and Director of Music Lessons Express, has been teaching piano lessons since 1997 when she completed her degree at Auburn University in Environmental Science. With a vision of how to bring the gift of music to others, Lindsey began Music Lessons Express in 2005 and has won various awards with the company, including being one of eleven businesses chosen for the 11 in 2011 program with the Moore Consulting Group, The Tallahassee Democrat and Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, as well as being a finalist in the Small Business Excellence Awards 2011 in the emerging business category. In addition to directing Music Lessons Express, Lindsey is a songwriter, performer and recording artist with two original Contemporary Christian Music albums available at LindseyBenedict.com. Most recently, Lindsey was flown to Dallas, TX, by Fox 49 to compete in Simon Cowell's X-Factor talent show, as she was the overall winner of the Tallahassee X-Factor competition. She also serves as a vocalist and pianist with the Worship and Creative Arts Ministry at Celebration Baptist Church.

Mary Anne Hybart
Mary Anne has actively taught piano lessons since she was 15 years old. With a bachelor's degree in Public Relations from FSU, Mary Anne has been a member of the MLE family since 2005. She worked as an activities coordinator and pianist at Harbor Chase Assisted Living and in 2008 she taught music for Killearn United Methodist Church's children's summer camp. She was active in the community as a pianist, accompanist, and vocalist for Chaires Community Baptist Church and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology at Florida State University.

Megan Grady
A native of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area, Megan is new to Tallahassee as a first-year masters student at the Florida State University studying clarinet performance. She is a graduate of The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA where she earned a Bachelor of the Arts in Music, where she studied clarinet and organ. An avid pianist, Megan began playing piano when she was five and later added the clarinet at age ten. Landing her first accompaniment position at age ten, she soon blossomed into an active church and vocal accompanist. As a pianist, Megan has acted as the accompanist for the children's choirs at Fairfax United Methodist Church in Fairfax, VA, accompanist for the upper school madrigal choir at Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg, VA, and now serves as the pianist for the Monticello Church of the Nazarene in Monticello, FL. As a freelance accompanist, Megan has performed with a variety of vocalists and instrumentalists, most notably for Broadway singer, Melissa Dye (Into the Woods, Phantom of the Opera-Toronto). Also active as a clarinetist, Megan has been a finalist in the Navy Band High School Concerto Competition and City of Fairfax High School Band Competition, a member of the National Collegiate Wind Ensemble performing at Carnegie Hall, principal clarinet of the John Philip Sousa Honor Band, member of the New Sousa band, and most notably, winner of the 2011 William and Mary Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition where she performed the first movement of Mozart's Concerto for Clarinet. To learn more about Megan, click here to visit her website.

Melissa Groenewold
Melissa Groenewold has been playing the violin since age eleven. She was concert master of Florida Atlantic University for two years and later attended Florida State University where she studied under world-class violinist, Beth Newdome. While working on her degrees in music education and performance, Melissa performed as a first violinist with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra for six years. She currently performs live in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas with a live band as well as small ensembles. Her versatility allows her to teach and perform all styles of music. Melissa teaches all ages and levels on violin, as well as beginner piano and guitar. She can be found teaching at our studio, in Tallahassee schools, and also conducts in-home lessons. For more information about Melissa, click here.

Michael Gregg
Michael Gregg has been involved in the Performing Arts from an early age. A talented singer-songwriter, he studied percussion and jazz piano at Florida State University and has played in electric and acoustic groups as singer, pianist, percussionist, and guitarist. He loves teaching and has years of experience with all ages, his experience includes working with Boy's Choir of Tallahassee as the main accompanist and vocal instructor, music directing at Holy Cross Anglican Church, and recently working as a Music Together instructor in Chicago.

Mike McCallie
Mike is a professional classical guitarist who relocated to Tallahassee in April 2011, to begin work on a DMA in Guitar Performance at FSU. Previously the head of guitar at Talent Education Suzuki School in Norwalk, CT for five years, he gained experience with the students by maintaining a studio with over 50 students taking both private and group lessons.

Mickey Abraham
Mickey is the Traveling Acoustic Ensemble director and has earned a degree in creative writing from FSU. Since graduating college, Mickey has been heavily involved in bluegrass and new-acoustic music both regionally and nationally. His unique approaches to teaching, performing, and promoting music have been featured in the May 2008 issue of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine and his newest instrumental album is being released as a digital download on David Grisman's Grammy nominated record label, Acoustic Disc. Since 2004, Mickey has continually been invited back to perform and teach at almost every major new-grass festival in the state; MagnoliaFest, Suwannee Springfest, Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, Riverhawk Music Festival, and the Florida Folk Festival to name a few. Mickey has also been a judge for the North Florida Bluegrass Association's bluegrass contests. He currently performs with two of Florida's most recognized contemporary acoustic bands, teaches private lessons, and coaches the Tallahassee Fiddlers. Mickey is also a writer and instructor for Flatpicking Guitar Magazine

Natalie Shaw

Natasha Marsalli
Natasha brings extensive experience as both a performer and teacher, having made her debut as a violin soloist with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra at age fourteen. Currently in her senior year, seeking a degree from FSU in violin performance and music education, she has taught private lessons for both children and adults, plus was a faculty member at the Buffalo Suzuki Strings Summer Festival. Most recently, Natasha is the principal second violin of the University Symphony Orchestra and a section violinist with the Tallahassee Symphony.

Nicole Gregulak

Noemi Perez-Silva
Noemi Perez-Silva is a second year Masters student at Florida State University in Arts Administration. She is also an actively performing singer. Before moving to Tallahassee, Noemi lived in Tampa, FL. While in Tampa, Noemi taught elementary and middle school music for five years and ran her own private studio. In addition, she performed with Opera Tampa, the St. Petersburg Opera and the Spanish Lyric Theater. Last spring, Noemi worked at Music Lessons Express as a social media and marketing intern (and general technology guru), as well as teaching private piano and preschool music classes. This year, she is teaching Dragon Drumming, GLEE, Group Guitar, Group Piano, Group Strings and private piano and strings lessons. For more information, check out her personal web page.

Oana Potur
Oana began studying music at the age of seven in her native country Romania. While home she won several national and international competitions and performed concerts in Germany, France, and Italy. In 2006 she received the Woodfruff Award from Columbus State University, Georgia, where she completed her Bachelor's degree. During her undergraduate years she colaborated with several orchestras from Georgia, Alabama and Florida. She performed in master classes for Roberto Diaz, Hongang Li, Megan Fergusson, Karen Ritscher, and others. Currently, Oana is working on her Master's degree in music performance at Florida State University under Dr. Pamela Ryan's instruction.

Pete Hoesing
Pete teaches a variety of instruments and ensembles, including drums, percussion, piano, voice, Glee and Dragon Drumming. With a Ph. D. in Musicology from the Florida State University College of Music, he's taught an African Music & Dance Ensemble and played in many world music ensembles, so is a versatile teacher of hand, stick and mallet techniques for drums and percussion. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and all skill levels. For more information about Pete, his research interests and his recent travels, click here.

Rebecca Fadell
Rebecca Grace Fadell is a mezzo-soprano born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She has performed with the University of Minnesota Opera Theatre, the Minnesota Opera, and the Florida State Opera. She has sung the roles of Flora in Britten's Turn of the Screw, Cherubino in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, Ottavia in Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, Sesto in Mozart's La clemenza di Tito, Hermia in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Meg in Adamo's Little Women. She continues to sing recitals in Minnesota, Georgia and Florida. She was a second place winner in the Schubert Club Scholarship competition, first place winner in the Thursday Musical Club competition, and was District and Regional winner and National semifinalist in the NATS Artist Award Competition. Miss Fadell has also played piano for most of her life, winning three MMTA state piano competitions. She worked as a high school choir accompanist for four years, accompanied for solo vocal competitions, taught private piano lessons for five years and has also accompanied voice students at the college level. Miss Fadell received her Bachelor and Master's of Music in vocal performance from the University of Minnesota where she received the Schuessler vocal prize and the McGough Opera scholarship. She also taught private voice lessons and class voice as a teaching assistant her final year at UMN. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Music degree in opera performance at Florida State University and has taught voice lessons at the university as a graduate assistant. She also holds private studios in Tallahassee, FL and Thomasville, GA.

Ryan Blackemore
Ryan Blakemore began studying piano at age 11 and became his church's pianist at 13. His interest in music led him to enroll at Clearwater Christian College as a music major in 2006. While there, he actively pursued solo and collaborative music, accompanying vocal and instrumental lessons, choral groups, musical productions, and summer music/recruitment teams. During his time at CCC he travelled on 2 mission trips, 2 Europe study tours, and 3 summers as pianist and team leader for the summer ministry team. After graduating in 2010, Ryan enrolled at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, where he is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Piano Pedagogy. He is a graduate teaching assistant for undergraduate class piano, and he also teaches privately. Ryan also enjoys sports, travelling, photography, and corny jokes.

Sally Barton
Recently completing her Doctorate in Viola Performance at FSU, Sally teaches both strings and piano at MLE. Besides working with students, she is busy performing with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and the Albany Symphony Orchestra, plus various weddings with string quartets. She brings many years of teaching experience to our organization and has a knack for working with each student in regards to both their skill level and their learning style.

Shanna Forbes Pelt

Stina Brockmann
As a graduate from Ingesund Music University in Sweden with a degree in Instrumental Education, Stina has years of experience building a love of music in her students. She is a passionate musician, songwriter, and nothing thrills her more than to watch her students excel in their musicianship. Stina is proficient with flute and voice, and also is an accomplished instructor for piano and guitar. She has been with MLE since 2009.

Susie Martin
Having played with numerous orchestras and as the current pianist for North Florida Baptist Church, Susie could not be happier! She has taught piano for over 30 years and has expanded her tutelage to include voice lessons. In fact, she's in such high demand, there are over 50 students under her guidance. Susie's goal is to instruct others to become the best musician they possibly can be!

Vivianne Asturizaga
With over 10 years of teaching experience, Vivianne conducts classes in flute, piano, and beginner guitar, in both private and group forms. She recently finished her MM in Performance and MA in Arts Administration at FSU. As a native of Bolivia, she is also fluent in Spanish, which helps her relate to some of our bi-lingual students. She enjoys teaching to music lovers of all ages, and tries to structure the course based on the needs of the student and what will assist them in learning the instrument.

Zach Bartholomew
Zach has been playing piano since he was a child himself and specializes in many styles and disciplines. His strength is the ability to go from jazz to improvisational playing to gospel, and many styles in between! He also teaches the students to play by ear, a very important skill when learning an instrument. Zach is a member of the Zach Bartholomew Trio, a jazz trio based in Tallahassee that has recorded numerous albums and toured extensively, recently returned from Europe. Ask him to share some stories from the road some time! To learn more about Zach and his wonderful style of jazz, click here.