West Palm Beach Private Instructor Staff

Michael Balogh

Trombone Instructor

A frequent trombone and euphonium clinician for school band programs throughout Palm Beach and Broward county schools, Michael Balogh is a highly sought after instructor. He studied at Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, receiving a double major in both studio music and jazz performance as well as a minor in music education. Michael has played in the Bobby Rodriguez Orchestra as well as spent time employed as a cruise ship musician. He contributed to the novel Don’t Stop the Music: Finding the Joy in Caregiving by Nancy Weckwerth, which details the story of composer and trumpeter John D. Swan’s recovery from a massive stroke. Currently, Michael is the director of Horizons Jazz Orchestra, a South Florida based ensemble. He is also a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Frank Derrick

Percussion Instructor

Drummer, Frank Derrick, has led a multifaceted national and international music career. He is a virtuoso performer, composer, and educator. In addition to his many theatrical credits, he has performed with numerous legends including Eubie Blake, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Benny Carter, Hank Jones, Ann Hampton Calloway, Keely Smith, and The Louis Armstrong Legacy Band to name a few. He toured worldwide with Cab Calloway for 10 years and was the drummer for The David Letterman Show on NBC. Currently he is the drummer, assistant conductor and personnel manager for the Palm Beach Pops and drummer and conductor for the Bob Hoose Orchestra. He is the author of FOCUS ON TECHNIQUE FOR DRUMMERS, Drum set Editor for Percussive Notes, and makes guest appearances following the recent release of his new jazz-chart busting CD,   THE BEAT GOES ON on the Jazzed Media label.

Lisa Gelfand

Oboe Instructor

Lisa Yonge Gelfand joins us at Music Man as our oboe teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Music degree from the University of Miami. Lisa has been a professor at Broward College, and has also taught at Miami Dade College as well as at New World School of the Arts. A South Florida native and active musician, she has performed on oboe and English Horn with many local ensembles, including the Miami Symphony, Symphony of the Americas, Boca Sinfonia, and The Kings Academy.

Nick Gulyamov

Woodwind Instructor

Nick Gulyamov, a jazz saxophonist, was born in Queens, New York, and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida. Currently in his final semester at Florida State University, completing a Bachelor of Music in jazz performance, Gulyamov has travelled all over the country performing with various school groups, as well as leading bands of his own over the years.
    First picking up a clarinet at the age of 10, and saxophone at age 11, Gulyamov was hooked on music and hasn’t looked back since. Gulyamov attended Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida, and graduated in 2016. In his time at Dreyfoos, Gulyamov got to perform in the Dreyfoos Wind Ensemble and the Dreyfoos Jazz Ensemble I, and was also able to travel with these ensembles to cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis, and Savannah to perform at various festivals and competitions.
     Since graduating from Dreyfoos, Gulyamov spent two years studying Commercial Music at Florida Atlantic University, where he studied with Dannel Espinoza. He then spent the rest of his undergrad at Florida State University, this time in the Jazz Studies program, where he studied with premier jazz faculty such as David Detweiler, Rodney Jordan, Leon Anderson, Scotty Barnhart, Kevin Jones, and Bill Peterson. During his time at FSU, Gulyamov performed in the FSU Jazz Ensemble I, led by Leon Anderson, and the FSU Jazz Combo I, led by Rodney Jordan and Scotty Barnhart. Gulyamov also got to perform as a soloist with the FSU Symphonic Orchestra, performing music by George Gerschwin.

Scott Houchins

Voice Instructor

Scott, a Florida native and a resident of Palm Beach County since 1980, has been teaching voice and beginning/intermediate piano since 1989.  He is a veteran music educator, having taught Chorus in Palm Beach County schools for over 25 years. He is also active in the Barbershop Harmony Society.

He has studied at the Florida State University, Palm Beach State College, Florida Atlantic University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University.  He holds both a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Educational Leadership from Palm Beach Atlantic University. 

He has been married to his wife, Diana since 1992, and they have three adult children. Scott hopes to share his passion for music through his private teaching.

Veronica Johnson

Vocal – Piano Instructor

Veronica joins us as a recently retired chorus director, having worked for the School District of Palm Beach County for over 24 years. In addition to being a chorus director, she has also taught and directed handbell ensembles. She holds both a Bachelor and Master of Music from Howard University in Washington, D.C where she studied vocal performance and minored in piano. While working on her undergraduate degree, she also studied a minor in classical guitar at Palm Beach Junior College

Andrew Lopez

Trumpet Instructor

Andrew Lopez attended the University of Central Florida and works as the band director at Conniston Middle School. He also assists the marching band at Spanish River High School and is an active participant in the Orchid City Brass Band.

Marissa Lopez

Trombone Instructor

Marissa Lopez, a low brass specialist and Orlando native holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. She has experience working with students all over the state and has taught both as a middle and high school band director in Orange, Lee, and Palm Beach County. She currently serves as a K-12 Arts Resource Teacher for the School District of Palm Beach County. Within this capacity, Mrs. Lopez assists visual and performing arts teachers by facilitating professional development, curriculum support, and community partnership opportunities. In addition to teaching privately, Mrs. Lopez is sought after as a low brass instructor for marching, concert and jazz ensembles and currently performs with the Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches and Orchid City Brass Band.

Chris Martindale

Low Brass Instructor

Mr. Martindale is a brass player who attended PBSC, FSU and graduated from FAU with a BFA in Music Education. Prior to working for Music Man Chris Martindale was a middle school band director in Palm Beach County for 22 years. Mr. Martindale has been an FBA adjudicator in the fields of concert band, sight reading, solo and ensemble brass and woodwind.  Mr. Martindale also is an active musician playing tuba many with local concert bands and chamber ensembles.

Carlos Mota

Percussion / Piano Instructor

Carlos Mota was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was first musically influenced by his older brother, who helped spark his initial interest in percussion. At age 13, he started playing local gigs and a few years later at the age of 18, he moved to New York City to pursue a performance career alongside the salsa and Latin dance bands of the late 1980’s. He has performed with the likes of Slide Hampton, Bidal Roy, Ed Schuller, Jimmy Heath, Dr. Ed Calle, Nestor Torres, Banda Brothers, and Steve Turre among many others. Carlos then went on to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies at Florida Atlantic University before receiving his Mater’s Degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2020. He now teaches at both Florida Atlantic University and Dreyfoos School of the Arts in addition to being a freelance musician and sought after jazz clinician.

Carlos Mota was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was first musically influenced by his older brother, who helped spark his initial interest in percussion. At age 13, he started playing local gigs and a few years later at the age of 18, he moved to New York City to pursue a performance career alongside the salsa and Latin dance bands of the late 1980’s. He has performed with the likes of Slide Hampton, Bidal Roy, Ed Schuller, Jimmy Heath, Dr. Ed Calle, Nestor Torres, Banda Brothers, and Steve Turre among many others. Carlos then went on to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies at Florida Atlantic University before receiving his Mater’s Degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2020. He now teaches at both Florida Atlantic University and Dreyfoos School of the Arts in addition to being a freelance musician and sought after jazz clinician.

Dr. Alice Naegele

String and Piano Instructor

Alice Naegele received her Bachelor’s Degree from Stetson University, her Master’s from Southern Methodist University, and her Doctorate in Music Composition from Ohio State University. While working on her Bachelor’s, she participated in the Study Abroad program in Freiburg, Germany. She began her piano lessons at age 6, and violin at age 12. After graduation, she began teaching private and group lessons at The Language and Music School in Oak Park, IL. She is currently working as an adjunct professor at Palm Beach State College and in the MacArthur School of Leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University, as well as the orchestra director at the Benjamin School. She is also the pianist at Lighthouse Baptist Church.

Mary Oser

Bassoon Instructor

Mary Oser recently retired after 33 years as director of bands at Wellington High School. She has been teaching music for 37 years! She holds a B.M. degree from Florida State in music education where she studied bassoon and teaching. Under her direction the WHS band earned numerous awards and accolades. Her private students consistently earn top ratings on auditions and Solo/Ensemble festivals.

Nick Patsis

Trumpet Instructor

Nick Patsis (Trumpet) has been an active music educator in the Palm Beach County schools for over thirty years. He received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Florida Atlantic University, a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University, and an Associates of Arts in Music from Palm Beach Community College. Mr. Patsis began his teaching career at Jupiter High School, where he served as Interim Band Director for a semester. In 1978, he accepted the position of Director of Bands at Congress Community Middle School, where he taught until 1987. In the fall of 1987, Mr. Patsis became the Director of Bands at Christa McAuliffe Middle School.
     Mr. Patsis is the Co-Director of the Palm Beach County Band Camps, which he co-founded in 2001. While a full-time music educator, he maintains an active career as a freelance trumpet player. He has performed with Palm Beach Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, Orchid City Brass Band, Florida Wind Symphony, Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater, Jupiter Theater, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Holliday on Ice, The Boca Pops, and numerous other professional and community organizations

Gina Rand

Woodwind Instructor

Gina Rand was born and raised in Wellington, Florida. She first became introduced to music in fifth grade when she began playing piano before joining her school band and picking up clarinet the following year. She attended the University of South Florida and graduated with her bachelor’s in Music Education in 2022. During her time at USF, she worked as a marching band technician with Palm Harbor University High School while also being a clinician at numerous schools and all county events throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. During the 2022-2023 school year, she worked here at Music Man as our lesson coordinator while also being a sought after clinician for local band programs. Currently, Ms. Rand is the Vice President of Membership for Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity’s Fort Lauderdale Alumnae chapter as well as a marching band woodwind and visual technician at Palm Beach Central High School. In the fall of 2023, she will start her first year as the middle school band director at The Conservatory School at North Palm Beach.

David Suarez

Woodwind Instructor

Sought-after flutist David A. Suarez-Rios, a native of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, is recognized for his artistry, versatility, and dedication to community engagement.

In 2019, Mr. Suarez-Rios launched an innovative literacy project in partnership with the Lake Worth Beach Children’s Library, enriching students’ literacy and music appreciation through a series of free chamber music concerts where books take center stage in the concert experience.

Currently, he serves as Acting Principal Flute with the Florida Philharmonic of Punta Gorda and 3rd Flute/Piccolo with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his performance career, Mr. Suarez-Rios is deeply committed to music education, working as the 4th and 5th Grade Band Director and Parent Liaison at South Grade Elementary School in Lake Worth Beach, Florida.

Through both performance and education, David A. Suarez-Rios continues to inspire audiences and young musicians alike, bridging the worlds of music and literacy to build stronger, more creative communities.

Sarah Shearon Smith

Euphonium Instructor

Mrs. Sarah Shearon-Smith has been the band director at Okeeheelee Middle School for the last 21 years. Before Okeeheelee, she taught at Christa McAuliffe Middle, The School of the Arts, Holy Name of Jesus, and was a clinician at Howell Watkins Middle and William T. Dwyer High School. Sarah received a Bachelor’s in Music Education and Music Performance on Euphonium from Western Michigan University. She earned her Masters of Arts in Music from Florida Atlantic University. Sarah is also a former adjunct professor at Palm Beach State College where she taught Euphonium and Tuba. She performs with the Orchid City Brass Band and has performed with several other bands throughout Palm Beach County. Mrs. Shearon-Smith is a member of the Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, International Tuba and Euphonium Association, and National Band Directors Association.

Ian Wilkinson

String Instructor

Ian Wilkinson is a classically trained violinist who studied music at Palm Beach Community College and was a community member of the Palm Beach Atlantic Symphony. He has been performing therapeutic music in assisted living facilities, in dementia respite care facilities for the developmentally disabled audiences, and in county senior centers for more than 10 years. He performs with former member of the Grammy Award-Winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer Terry Barber in concert and for Terry’s nonprofit organization Artists For A Cause. Ian is also a repair tech for Music Man.Ben earned a Bachelor of Music in saxophone performance with a concentration in jazz studies and a Master of Arts in Teaching from East Carolina University. He has performed with artists such as the North Carolina Symphony and The Drifters featuring Rick Sheppard.

Mary Ann Williams

Piano Instructor

Mary Ann Williams graduated from Whitworth College with degrees in piano, organ, and elementary education.  She currently works in the autistic program at Forest Hill Elementary and has been the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church for over 30 years.  Mary Ann is versed in classical, jazz, pop, and religious music.