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Professional Instructors
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.
SINGING – VOCAL – VOICE, BEGINNING PIANO
Raquel Domínguez Millán
Coming from a family full of musicians Raquel has always been immersed in a musical environment. From
an early age she felt compeled to sing and play the piano. She went on to develop her skills at the
Instituto de Música, Liturgia y Arte Cardenal Miranda in Mexico City and continued her studies with the
Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music of London. She has performed as a soprano choralist
and soloist in an array of stages in Mexico and the United States; which include the Chapultepec Castle,
the Teatro Helénico and the National Art and Anthropology Museums in México City.
Raquel has worked with children of all ages as an early development and elementary music teacher; as
well as working with individuals who have special needs particularly those with Down Syndrome or on
the spectrum. She loves sharing her knowledge with students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience
levels.
Currently, Raquel is studying Music Therapy, and she has recently been invited to sing with the Naples Opera Choir and the Gulfshore Opera. She is passionate about helping students find ways to express themselves with lessons that focus on enhancing the students creativity and skills by highlighting their strengths to achieve their potential. Originally from México City, and as a multiculturalist, Raquel offers lessons in Spanish, English and French.
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.
GUITAR
Gary Backus
Gary has been involved in music and playing in bands for 30 years and is excited to share that experience with his students of all levels. Learning to play guitar as a teen put Gary on the path towards discovering and learning about styles ranging from Blues and Rock to Classical, Pop, hip hop and Jazz.
Hailing originally from New Jersey where he graduated with honors from the famous Jazz school, William Paterson University, Gary has honed his craft and has diversified his skill set by immersing himself in the production and recording side of the industry. Living in Southwest Florida since 2009 has been an amazing experience as Gary continues to expand his horizons and develop more musical relationships and experiences around him.
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, 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.
PIANO, VOICE
Olga Seibel
Olga’s love for music started when she was 5 years old, and has grown into a great passion. She gained her sixteen-year music education while growing up in Russia, graduating from the Saint Petersburg conservatoire. Olga has enjoyed teaching children and adults piano and singing, immediately after completing her third year in the conservatoire. She has had seventeen years of teaching experience since then. She also worked as a singer for 4 years in Saint Petersburg Academic Chapel, performing soprano both as a member of chorus team and solo.
Her teaching methods include, along with piano and singing, all elements of musical grammar, theory, and art of performance. She believes that instead of simply teaching a student an instrument, the instructor should help the student to discover their own talents and boost creative development. This will allow the student to enjoy the art of expressing themselves through the music they play.
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.
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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.