Lessons

Don Sudduth (Guitar)
Don has an Associates of Arts Degree from Brevard Community College where he studied guitar and music theory, he also studied guitar and music theory at the University of Central Florida. Some of Don’s experiences include playing clarinet in school band for five years, studying piano, and playing electric guitar in rock bands. Don has more than 30 years of guitar teaching experience and has written and published Seven Guitar Method Books which teach the fundamentals of music and technique leading to student self sufficiency. His first two books teach traditional music notation, melodies, scales, and chords, and his tablature books “Metal Werks” and “Power Chord Power” teach Rock, Grunge, Blues, Metal, and Alternative styles. Don’s Tab books have rhythm notation and come with a play along CD with Guitar, Bass, and Drum tracks. The Tab books develop rhythmic timing and ear training. It’s more than lessons it’s an education.

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Michael Hawley (Guitar)
Michael has been playing guitar for over 20 years and holds a B.A. degree in guitar performance from UCF. He has taught both privately and in group settings since 1986, including country, jazz, and rock seminars for the National Guitar Workshop. Many of his former students have gone to play professionally. Michael is the author of Red Hot Country Guitar available through Hal Leonard. To listen or see Michael play and for more info, check out his website: www.michaelhawley.net.

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Jeff Adkins (Guitar, Bass)
Jeff Adkins' mission is to serve the greater Orlando community by helping both young and adult music students to further their knowledge of what it takes to be a good musician. Jeff is excellent with children and Adults. Before choosing Orlando for his home base, Jeff literally logged over one thousand performances working on cruise ships.

Along the way Jeff has learned other instruments and what it takes to be a consummate professional. "I use proven methods to help the student accomplish their goals. Most methods use a play along CD so the student can advance quickly." "I also add my own personal addendum to supplement what is not offered in a book." Jeff is a professional musician that teaches.

If you want to learn guitar, bass, singing, keyboard, theory, songwriting and get great advice about performing. He could be just the right instructor for you or your child.

EDUCATION:
A Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Central Florida.
An Associates of Arts degree in Music from Valencia Community College

“I love what I do and my students can sense this, I am always striving to be on top of new trends in music.”- Jeff Adkins

[Visit Jeff's MySpace page]

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Tim Turner (Guitar)
Tim is a graduate of Valdosta Sate University, earning a B.A. in music education with a minor in saxophone, as well as an experienced guitar player over twenty years in the making. While attending VSU, he was a member of several jazz combos and the school’s big band, sharing the stage with Buddy DeFranco, Chris Vidala, Dave Baker, and Bob Greenhaw. After college, he joined as lead guitarist for FAB, a touring variety band by one of the members of Bill Deal and the Rhondels.

Over the past fifteen years, Tim has played in several bands, performing a wide range of styles, and has offered his musical talents privately tutoring guitar for the past ten years. He currently heads the funk/rock/jazz ensemble, Shak Nasti, which plays in and around the Orlando area. Visit www.myspace.com\shaknasti to hear for yourself.

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Brian Chodorcoff (Guitar, Bass)
Brian’s extensive education includes 4 years of the National Guitar Summer Workshop and a period of instruction at the New School in NYC. In addition to these private institutions he has also studied with various instructors for 13 years. Brian has performed on over 200 recordings for both national and local artists of all styles. As a current member of the Legendary JC’s and The Riverbottom Nightmare Band he can be seen performing in and out of town. Brian has been playing guitar for 24 years, has been teaching professionally for 11 years, and is well versed in many styles and instruments (guitar, bass).

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Willie Rast (Drums)
Willie is a graduate at Valencia Community College in 2004 and will pursue his Bachelors at Rollins University. He performs in Jazz, Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Bands, and orchestral + mallet percussion, as well as on the drum set. Willie has been playing drums since a young age and plays all styles ranging from Classical, Jazz, Rock, Funk, and Latin. He is experienced in teaching students of all ages and levels.

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Nicole Omat (Violin)
Nicole Omat is a recent graduate from Rollins College with a BA in Music and Anthropology. She has been playing the violin for 14 years and has studied with Alvaro Gomez and Joni Roos. During her time at Rollins, Nicole served as assistant concert master to both the Rollins Orchestra and String Ensemble for three consecutive years. She has also performed with the Bach Festival Society Orchestra. In addition to violin, Nicole has received vocal training from Mark Goff, who has worked with such talents as Backstreet Boys, Creed, Britney Spears, LFO, Christina Milian and Aaron Carter. She has also studied the piano and guitar for 8 and 5 years, respectively. Ms. Omat has had previous experience teaching Violin, Pop Vocals, Piano and Guitar at Music Shack and is happy to be returning as an instructor once again. Nicole offers bilingual music education in English and Spanish.

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Natalie Wright (Piano, Voice, Violin)
Natalie is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a BM in Violin performance. She also has over 18 years of musical experience. Highlights of her experience include: 4 year member of the Araphae Philharmonic Orchestra in Denver, CO; 3 year member of Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestra; 2001 Eastern Music Festival member; and also attended Colorado All-State Orchestra and Colorado All-State Choir. Natalie has studied violin for 15 years and has played piano since age 4. Her vocal experience includes 3 years of study at Metropolitan State College of Denver where she was the section leader in the select mixed chorus. Natalie teaches all ages and uses different styles to best fit the students way of learning.

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Shamir Barnett (Violin, Piano)

Shamir has an Associate of Arts degree in music from Seminole Community College and is currently attending Rollins College Winter Park, where she is working towards Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music.

She has over 9 years of teaching experience including extensive work with children.

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Jim Young (Upright Bass, Electric Bass)
Jim studied classical music as a performance major at Florida State University. He has been playing both electric bass and double (Upright) bass for over 20 years. Jim has played contemporary, rock, jazz, and R&B with local professionals since the late 80’s. His career has taken him from school ensembles to Disney and Universal Studios and hundreds of other gigs in and around Florida.

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Dave Gardner (Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone)
David Gardner began his music studies on clarinet in the Oakland, California public school system. After two years in college, he began and enjoyed a 23 year career as a Navy Musician. Highlights of his career were performing throughout the United States and Italy where he lived six years. He has resided in the Orlando area for 12 years and continues to play with may bands in the area. Dave has been teaching clarinet, saxophone, and flute since 1975 and has seen traditional teaching methods evolve to what now are accepted and necessary musical conceptions to understand and learn, include classical, rock/pop, and jazz. Dave likes to use the many new practical teaching aids available such as “play-alongs” that give students needed experience when opportunity presents itself.

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Jonathan Clay (Brass)
Jon has been playing the trumpet for 16 years, 8 of them in Orlando, Florida. During that time he has performed for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, The Central Florida Philharmonic and several other groups and venues including churches, schools and theatres. He is currently seeking a music performance degree from the University of Central Florida where he has performed in several ensembles including the orchestra, wind ensemble, big band, quintet and early music ensemble.  He has also assisted many school band programs as a brass instructor in the band room and on the field as a marching band technician. He has been teaching brass and piano while in Orlando to students whose ages span from 7 to 66.

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