GREAT SOUTHERN MUSIC: INSTRUCTORS

At Great Southern Music we are committed to providing a safe learning environment for our teachers and students. Choosing the right teachers is our highest priority and we check the references of all of our instructors. Everyone representing Great Southern Music is expected to maintain the utmost professional manner while in our store. This really is Where Great Musicians Begin…

**WHEN SIGNING UP FOR YOUR FIRST LESSON,
DON'T FORGET TO ASK US ABOUT OUR SPECIAL SUMMER RATES!***

DRUM INSTRUCTION

TIM MURRAY:
Tim Murray teaches snare drum and drumset at Great Southern Music and is now accepting beginning to advanced students. Tim studied jazz and contemporary drumset at the University of North Texas before moving to Gainesville where he plays regularly with Ali Che'Ree, Frank Sullivan and Professor Gary Langford. He has over 18 years of teaching experience and has taught drums and percussion at Martin County High school, Indian River Community College as well as for the Zoo Music Stores in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

 

FRENCH HORN INSTRUCTION

MIRANDA MORRIS (French Horn Specialist):
Miranda received her Bachelors from Valdosta State University and her Master’s from UF- both degrees in French horn performance. She has performed with regional orchestras and the International Youth Wind Orchestra. Miranda has been teaching privately for six years and now teaches at GSM with students at all levels.

GUITAR INSTRUCTION

KEVIN BOGLE:
Kevin has taught guitar in Gainesville for over 20 years. His specialty is classical guitar, with particular skill in Latin American works, but he can teach all styles. Kevin works with adults of all ages as well as children.

TJ KOLA:
Terry Kola is an experienced music teacher, a master of jazz and rock guitar, and a proficient pianist with a thorough understanding of music theory. He has a degree in music education from Potsdam State College in New York and studied jazz at the prestigious Berklee Institute in Boston.

 

PIANO INSTRUCTION

TRENDA GORDON:
Trenda has been playing music since the age of three and has been teaching for the last twelve years. She has written numerous instructional books, held music camps, and teaches workshops around Florida and north Georgia. Trenda has been writing contemporary Christian music for the past five years and loves to share and encourage others to explore their talents. So, grab a hymn book or your favorite song on a CD and she will teach you with a quick start program sure to have you playing in about six months.

STACEY TRENTESEAUX:
Stacey Trenteseaux has been a musician since age four and has over 5 years private and public teaching experience at all age and ability levels.  She currently teaches voice and piano at Great Southern Music and General Music at Mebane Middle School.  She studied French horn and instrumental education at the Florida State University for two years, but after much growth and maturity, graduated from the University of Florida where she studied voice and French horn.  Her diverse performance background includes multiple band and orchestral ensembles, vocal choirs and opera theater, and even a steel drum ensemble.  Aside from teaching, Stacey’s passion is opera performance.  She earned opportunities to appear in many opera productions and to study with multiple well-known vocal teachers and coaches both in the US and Europe.

TRUMPET & BRASS INSTRUCTION

FRANK FERRARO:
Frank has a degree in Music Theory from William Paterson University and has played on Broadway, as well as provided background music on several commercials. He has been teaching brass for over 30 years and teaches begining to advanced brass instruments. Frank is also available for piano AND accordion lessons!

WOODWINDS INSTRUCTION

JOLENE SAMFORD:
Jolene has put her degree in music performance from Jacksonville University to good use- she has been the band director for St. Patrick’s Catholic School for over 10 years. At Great Southern Music, she teachers flute, saxophone and clarinet from beginners to advanced students.

 

 

VIOLIN INSTRUCTION: SUZUKI METHOD

CRAIG HANDLEY, JR.:
Craig is a Gainesville area native and has played violin for over 11 years. He performs at weddings and private events. Craig teaches beginning adults of all ages, as well as children.

VIOLIN INSTRUCTION

TOMMY SLAUGHTER:
Tommy has been playing music professionally for over 16 years. He begain his musical journey at age 4 and by age 10, Tommy was entering fiddle contests that allowed him to gain valuable performance experience as well as meet fiddle legends such as Bill Monroe, Vassar Clements, & Chubby Wise. By age 14, he had recorded two solo albums, "Under the Oaks" & "Fiddle Traditions." Since then, Tommy has had the opportunity to play with many great bands and musicians such as: Crosstyz, Tim Stafford, Randy Kohrs, Sammy Shelor, Mike Bubb, Lou Reid, and Audie Blaylock. He is a founding member and lead guitarist of the local gainesville band, The Nineteenth. In addition to performing with various local ensembles, recording, and teaching, Tommy is pursuing a degree at University of Florida.

VOCAL INSTRUCTION

STACEY TRENTESEAUX:
Stacey Trenteseaux has been a musician since age four and has over 5 years private and public teaching experience at all age and ability levels.  She currently teaches voice and piano at Great Southern Music and General Music at Mebane Middle School.  She studied French horn and instrumental education at the Florida State University for two years, but after much growth and maturity, graduated from the University of Florida where she studied voice and French horn.  Her diverse performance background includes multiple band and orchestral ensembles, vocal choirs and opera theater, and even a steel drum ensemble.  Aside from teaching, Stacey’s passion is opera performance.  She earned opportunities to appear in many opera productions and to study with multiple well-known vocal teachers and coaches both in the US and Europe.