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Professional Instructors
FLUTE, PIANO
Megan Burkhead
Growing up as a native of Fort Myers Florida, Megan started playing the piano at age 8 and the flute at age 11.
Throughout her middle and high school years, she was Principal Flute/Piccolo in the All-State Middle and High School Band/Orchestra for 5 years as well as the Principal Pianist in the All-County Middle and High School Jazz Bands.
In 2014, she performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City with the Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. She was also Principal Flute in the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra for 2 years.
In 2016, Megan was a finalist in the Florida Flute Association’s Young Artist Competition judged by world-renowned flutist Paula Robison. In 2016, she also won the Jillian Prescott Concerto Competition in the Woodwinds Division Category.
Megan frequently performs in concerts and performances in the Southwest Florida area. In Naples, Megan also had a masterclass with Walter Auer, the Principal Flutist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Upon graduation of high school, she accompanied several high school students at the annual Solo and Ensemble Festival in 2017. One of her favorite venues is the Downtown Music Walk where she performed popular and classical flute music most of her high school career.
Megan has studied with the following teachers: Suzanne Kirton, Kathryn Lukas, Jeffrey Khaner, Carol Wincenc, Bonita Boyd, and Paula Robison. Recently, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Flute Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Megan has a passion for teaching and helping her students find the love of music and expressing themselves as she found for herself at a very young age.
CELLO, VIOLIN, VIOLA, BASS, VOICE
Nadia Owens
Nadia started her musical journey during her 3rd grade year in St. Louis on violin through her elementary school. Soon after her 3rd grade year, her family moved to a suburb of Columbus, Ohio called Gahanna. Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools offered strings instruction in 4th grade where Nadia was able to choose to play the cello. From 4th grade till she graduated high school, she practiced, learned and performed her cello.
As a young musician, Nadia performed in many different groups and opportunities. She performed solo repertoire with help from her private instructor, performing at solo and ensemble, receiving superior rating for all her performances. She played in her high school musicals, full orchestra ensemble, string ensemble, string choir ensemble, string quartet and marching band each year with the help of her band and orchestra directors. She also performed at many churches and community events before graduating in 2001. Nadia received the National Directors Award and scholarship in recognition of musical excellence and lettered in Orchestra and Band for her continued commitment to music before attending college.
After graduating from high school, Nadia attended the Ohio State University majoring in Music Education. At university, she performed with the University Full Orchestra, University Cello Choir and University Gospel Choir. She also performed with small instrument ensemble on and off campus.
After graduating in 2006 with her bachelor’s in music education, Nadia started her music teaching career in 2007 in Dublin, Ohio. Shortly after the end of the 2006-2007 school year, Nadia moved to Florida and continued her music teaching career. She moved all over Florida to teach elementary to high school students in Polk, Orange, Hillsborough and Lee counties. Nadia has taught many music courses including band, orchestra, choir, general music, ukulele, guitar, musical theater, AP and general music theory, piano and special ESE music education. Her orchestra and choirs have all received excellent and superior ratings throughout her career as a music teacher.
Nadia is currently a substitute with Lee County Public Schools, performs and practices with the Palm City Cellos and sings with her church choir. She is a certified Florida MPA Judge and had a small studio of private students before Covid. She has performed at many community and church events in the community.
Nadia has always been dedicated to her music students and strives to make music accessible to all.
VIOLIN
Catherine Jeanty
Catherine has been playing violin since she was 8, and piano since she was 9. She grew up in Long Island, NY participating in NYSSMA (NY State School Music Association) for both violin and piano and always excelled every year. She participated in C.W. Post summer Music Camp at the age of 11 and 12 where she played violin and piano alongside high school students.
She earned the George V Rose music scholarship for the high school at the Waldorf School of Garden City, playing violin and piano. She moved in the middle of 9th grade, but this is the school she attended since the 2nd grade. She was part of All County Orchestra in middle school and high school.
In 2008, she toured in Europe with a music group, called Florida Ambassadors of music, where she visited 7 different countries in 3 weeks and played violin with a select few in her orchestra class. She also got a Strings scholarship for Florida Southern College, where she minored in music.
Upon graduating college, she participated in a community orchestra and choir as well through the Central Florida Community Arts group in Orlando, FL. She has tutored violin and piano in the past and she recently was part of the musical Rent at Ft Myers Theatre. She has also been taking dance classes since the age of 3, and loves staying involved with dance as well. In her free time, she also enjoys singing and playing violin at different venues. She’s currently playing at Rack’em Spirits and Times in Cape Coral every week.
DRUMS/PERCUSSION
Ron Harris
Ron Harris is originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Blessed with the gift of music from a young age, he started playing piano at age 4 and added drums at the age of 8. Ron comes from a musical family and is the grandson of Norman Harris who led a famous Big Band at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto primarily in the 20s, 30s, and 40s.
His passion for music and drumming have kept him working as a professional drummer since the mid-90s covering a multitude of styles/genres such as: Big Band and small group jazz, rock, pop, country and Latin. Some highlights along the way include touring the US and Canada with former B.B. King bass player Russell Jackson, live shows with Matt “Guitar” Murphy of Blues Brothers fame, Nelson, Charo, Ben Vereen, Erasure and comedian/Sinatra tribute performer Rick Corso to name a few.
Ron sight read and played shows in the orchestra for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for more than a decade and was part of the start up orchestra for 5 new Royal Caribbean ships. During that time, he was fortunate to play Broadway shows such as Hairspray, Mama Mia and Chicago.
Through the years Ron’s passion for continued learning has led to private lessons with Ed Soph, Steve Houghton, Murray Spivack, Gary Chaffee and Joe Morello. The knowledge and experience that Ron has been blessed with and acquired founded his desire to teach and inspire others.
GUITAR – VOCAL – VOICE
Mike Finley
Mike is a well rounded musician and a hard working guitar player, vocal coach, and guitar teacher who hails from New York City.
Mike studied classical music and voice at the Bradford College in MA, and then transferred to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he studied jazz guitar, theory, ear training, and arranging. During those years, he was privileged to sing with the Back Bay Chorale/Harvard Symphony.
When he left Boston, Mike moved back to NYC and studied with famed vocal coach, Marty Lawrence. He then played countless gigs and studio sessions with all kinds of people and all kinds of styles of music. And with his own band, he rocked the City, was on the radio and did a small tour in France.
Mike is a songwriter and has recorded soundtracks for a couple of independent films and his music has graced the airwaves on KISS FM, as well as New York’s cable tv. Mike also appeared on MTV with Mick Jagger in Bette Midler’s version of “Beast of Burden”. Mike has met three of The Rolling Stones and he has traveled to over a dozen countries. Music has always been his constant companion.
With unlimited patience and a love of the creative arts, he looks forward to sharing what he knows to be one of life’s greatest treasures, music.
VIOLIN, VIOLA, GUITAR, PIANO (ONLINE ONLY)
Hunter Dahlen
Hunter is a working musician and educator based in Nashville, Tennessee. Hunter approaches musical instruction with a wealth of experience acquired through his 10 years spent teaching individuals and groups of all ages and levels of experience.
Lessons are tailored to each students wants and needs, thus students will benefit greatly from a custom designed curriculum.
Hunter’s method incorporates elements of traditional and contemporary educating styles with focus on: Instrument proficiency, ear training, music theory, composition, arranging, songwriting, and insights into the music business.
VIOLIN, PIANO, DRUMS, GUITAR
Samuel Cantu
A Florida native, Samuel has been studying the violin since a very young age. He started with a combination of the Lee County School system, and private lessons. He has developed a strong love for music and loves sharing his passion with others.
His recent engagements include a performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the FSW Symphony Orchestra, performing a Beethoven’s 5th arrangement with the American musical group, “The Piano Guys”, and numerous private chamber ensembles and solo performances for weddings.
As a music educator, he has had one on one private lesson experiences with string students, as well as teaching students who have pursued percussion with various band programs in the Lee County School District. He has taught outdoor marching band as well as instructing and writing music for indoor percussion ensembles. That includes Cape Coral High School indoor percussion ensemble, who he has helped develop a competitive show in which they have taken to the Florida Federation of Colorguards Inc. and took home 2nd place.
Samuel has earned his Associates in Violin Performance under the direction of Reiko Niiya-Chow, and is planning to audition for the University of Central Florida, and Lynn University. When he is not teaching lessons, you can see him performing with the FSW Symphony Orchestra at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall.
PERCUSSION/DRUMS, BEGINNING BAND, PIANO, GUITAR
Scott Burrows
Scott, originally hailing from New Jersey, comes with a wealth of experience acquired through several years of teaching multiple elementary and high school grade levels. He has been on staff with some of New Jersey’s top tier band programs winning state awards and recognition. Over the years, Scott performed with various Drum Corps International groups traveling all over the country and in 2007 captured a high percussion trophy in Division II DCI World Championship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the College of New Jersey and is on the path to becoming an educator in the state of Florida.
PIANO, VOICE
Mary Anna Elser
Mary Anna has a passion for helping students of all ages to grow in their love for music as they learn its language and develop their keyboard skills. Sequential lessons are taught using the time-tested materials that can be purchased at Mr. Music, along with game-like strategies gained from many years of teaching music education in New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Virginia.
Mary Anna earned her Bachelor of Music Education at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY and her Master’s Degree in Music Education at Ohio State University. In addition, she completed 3 levels of Orff training at Mansfield University in PA, and an Education Specialist Degree from George Washington University.
Mary Anna has accompanied choirs, directed children’s choirs and organized several music camps, along with teaching private music lessons. She is excited to meet her new students in Fort Myers!
GUITAR, PIANO, DRUMS
Bo Davis
Growing up around Detroit, Michigan, Bo was intrigued with music at an early age and went through the process of a formal education playing trumpet in high school band and orchestras. As a teen, he was immersed in popular music playing drums, and after a number of years went on to guitar, songwriting, and teaching. During those years, recording became a mainstay as well, eventually enrolling in a recording school, and building a studio.
He’s taught guitar classes at Jackson Community College and private lessons for years after moving to Florida in a continuing effort to find new and better ways to communicate the education of music. In 2009, Bo wrote and produced an independent release distributed by Universal Music, and continues to write and record today.
GUITAR, BASS GUITAR, UKULELE, BANJO, PIANO
Carl Reijer
Carl Reijer was born in Stockholm, Sweden but has lived in California for 10 years and Florida for 12 years. At the age of 10 he discovered his passion for music, playing clarinet at Benito Middle School in Tampa, Fl. Around that time he also started playing guitar and bass and has been playing for 20 years.
He studied jazz theory at Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, California. He’s been teaching guitar, bass and music theory for 8 years privately and 2-3 years professionally. Carl has technical proficiency in many genres including Rock, Metal, Pop, Country, Blues, R&B, Jazz, Classical, World Music, and their various sub-genres. He has an extensive knowledge of music theory and is able to adapt that knowledge to many different styles of music.
Carl is currently recording solo material and privately studying the art of music therapy; as well as teaching lessons.
VOICE, PIANO
Monica Fastenau
Monica began learning to sing and play the piano at 4 years old, and she continued studying voice and piano through high school. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree at Bryan College in Tennessee, where she participated as a member of a touring chorale and worked as a student accompanist. She recently relocated to Florida with her husband. Monica has a love for both classical and popular music, and a passion for helping students learn and grow as they reach their individualized musical goals.
BRASS, WOODWINDS, PIANO, GUITAR
Evan Ziegler
Although born in New Jersey, Evan Ziegler has lived in Florida since 1972. He was raised around the Ocala area and subsequently attended the University of Florida in Gainesville where he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree.
Mr. Ziegler’s teaching career began in Hillsborough County in 1994 where he taught music at Summerfield Elementary and then band at Progress Village Middle School and Rodgers Middle School in Riverview, FL. While in the Tampa area, Mr. Ziegler was also a brass instructor at the New Tampa School of Music. In addition to teaching, he performed regularly as a member of the Sunshine Brass Band of Tampa. In 2002 Mr. Ziegler relocated to Southwest Florida to raise his family and for the past ten years he has been the music teacher at Vineyards Elementary School in Naples.
Flute, Oboe, Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone
DRUMS, MALLET PERCUSSION, STEEL DRUM, PIANO/KEYBOARD
Sean Holmes
Sean Holmes has been playing percussion since 2001 and teaching private lessons since 2009. He teaches drumset technique as well as classical drumming, keyboard percussion, steel pan drums, and auxiliary percussion. He teaches several different musical styles of drumming, including but not limited to: Classical, Jazz, Rock/Metal, Reggae, Latin Rhythms, New Orleans drumming, Blues, and Hip Hop.
His approach to teaching is fun, while still engaging and educational, integrating technique/performance, note-reading and theory in a manner that is easy to understand for students of all ages and skill levels.
Sean currently performs with several different groups in the SW Florida area. He has performed alongside several national musical acts and at prominent music industry showcases and national festivals including the Ink Life Festival and Vans Warped Tour.
ACCORDION
David Magnante
David is the owner of Mr Music and has specialized in accordion sales, repairs and lessons since the ’70s. The accordion is a family tradition for Mr. Magnante and he is more than happy to impart those special skills to students who wish to play this amazing instrument! Accordion lessons are given on a weekly basis, year-round. Call or stop in today for more information.
Please call David at (239) 561-5611 Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM to discuss accordion lessons, sales or repairs.
Spaces are limited and scheduling is done on a first come, first served basis.
Your instructor will recommend a course based on your experience and personal goals. This almost always includes a lesson book that you purchase separately and take home with you. Please be sure to bring your book with you to each lesson. With the exception of piano and drum students, you will need to bring your instrument with you to each lesson.
Playing regularly at home is the key to your success!
Mr Music offers the very best experience available in the Fort Myers area for private music lessons. Our instructors are top-notch professional private instructors with years of experience. However, there is no “magic pill.” The key to your success is your commitment to attending your lessons consistently and equally important, your at-home playing time. If possible, set aside a particular time each day that you devote to playing your instrument. We recommend 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week.
Accessories & Books
If you don’t already have a music stand at home, please purchase one at Mr Music. We carry a good variety of stands ranging from $19.50 to $79.00. For all instruments other than piano/keyboard, we also highly recommend an electronic tuner. For all instruments we recommend that you have a metronome. This is a device to help you develop your timing skills. We have a great selection of these devices in stock at all times.
You need to have an instrument at home on which you can play the lesson material on a daily basis. If you need an instrument, we will do everything possible to help you get the best value and just the right instrument. We sell and repair many of the most popular musical instruments.
When 30 Minutes is Not Enough
Our experience tells us that a 30 minute lesson once a week is ideal for most students. However, if you feel that you would benefit from more lesson time, please be sure to discuss this with your instructor. He or she will provide an honest assessment and make the appropriate recommendations.
VIP Pricing for You!
Students or parents of students who are currently taking lessons at Mr Music automatically qualify for additional discounts on most instruments, equipment, books, and accessories!
We’re here to support you.
Do you need help with your instrument or have questions? Please contact us or stop in during store hours if we can help you with your musical needs in any way.