Meet the teachers

Cristina received a percussion scholarship to USF, studied the SLYS vocal technique, and completed her CDA and Early Childhood Education. She taught K-8 general music and drama at Athenian Academy of Pasco, directed programs at Millennium Academy, and has been creating and running camps and programs in Pasco County for 14 years. As a drummer and vocalist she made the semi-finals of Tampa Bay Idol and Ed McMahon's Next Big Star, played in MTV's Enough is Enough campaign, performed at Flight 93's Command Center during 9/11, and toured the US. She is a recording artist under Starlite Records, toplines and arranges for other artists, owns Songshapers.com, and edits music for competitive ice skaters.

Brecklynn has studied piano privately for 11 years and plays piano, voice, clarinet, sax, drums, bass, ukulele, flute, and oboe. She is drum major for River Ridge High School, a member of FFCC percussion, jazz band and chorus, and has been in All State Chorus, All County Band, and Festival of Winds. This year she returns to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Macy's Great American Band for a second time. She has participated in 20 student rock bands and 22 theatre camps and shows, was lead actress at Richey Suncoast Theater, and starred in the Microsoft app Learning with Brecklynn.

Kevin began piano at age four and went on to Advanced Placement Music Theory, studying under Blake Richardson of progressive metal band Between the Buried and Me. He has played in Aionios, Charge Alexander, For Those Like Us, and Apeiron Bound, and shared stages with The Contortionist, Entheos, and Polyphia. He also handles restringing and repairs.

Rocco is a record producer based in Nashville who teaches music production at Rock Out Academy. Lessons cover Pro Tools, arrangement, recording and mixing, and how a song becomes a finished record. He has produced, engineered and mixed for a long list of artists, directed music videos, and written songs placed on network television. Suitable for teens and adults, and for students who already play and want to start making their own records.

Nicole started private piano at age five and joined her elementary school orchestra in third grade, quickly excelling at violin. By fourth grade she was conducting and tuning every instrument in her orchestra. She competed in and won many NYSMA competitions. She later added guitar and drums, studied to become an elementary teacher, and worked in New York State school districts for over five years.

Isa has acted in a dozen shows on local stages and was President of International Thespian Troupe 5031. They were recognized as Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical and Outstanding Performer in a Musical for Broadway Star of the Future, and received Critics Choice awards for makeup design and small group musical. Isa sang the National Anthem and Alma Mater for River Ridge High School's 2023 graduation.

Chris began as an alto saxophonist and earned spots in county and state honor ensembles. He pursued Music Education at the University of South Florida, graduating in 2014, then taught in Pasco County Schools and became high school band director at River Ridge, his alma mater. He completed a Master's in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago in 2023 and became music director at Bayonet Point Middle School. Over ten years he has written marching shows, stand tunes, jazz charts, concert pieces, and commissions.

Emiko has over 15 years of teaching experience and a Master's degree in Violin Performance from the University of Texas. She has performed with orchestras in Japan, Portugal, Switzerland, and the United States, and is concertmaster of the Richey Community Orchestra. She co-founded the Greater Pasco Youth Symphony in 2012, where she serves as Director and Conductor, and also performs with the Florida Orchestra.

Prince has ten years of private cello lessons and six years on bass, and spent three years helping with the orchestra at River Ridge High School. She previously assisted both Carly Scholz and Travis Henry. Miss Cristina saw Prince perform at a concert, was struck by her ability and stage presence, and approached her on the spot about teaching.

Keri started playing ukulele as a child when her mother handed down her own ukulele. She learned You Are My Sunshine on her first day playing. She now plays banjo, mandolin, her ukulele collection, hand-pan, and guitar. When she is not teaching she works as a private chef and a nanny, plays with a few bands, and creates art in her studio.

Deborah started as a theatre actress in New York and began her writing and producing career in theatre. She started her film career as an actress and found a love for documentaries, directing and producing her first documentary, an award-winning film. She has been featured in commercials for major brands and movies, and currently works in feature film as an actress, screenwriter, and producer.

Shalyah attends Berklee College of Music, studying music business and literature. She grew up in New Port Richey and landed lead roles in musicals including The Little Mermaid, A Little Princess, and Shrek before earning a spot in the Top 8 semifinals on season ten of NBC's The Voice at age 15, competing on Team Christina, Team Pharrell, and Team Adam. She recently opened for and performed with Earth Wind and Fire and Gladys Knight. She teaches exclusively online.

Genna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in voice and theatre from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro College of Visual and Performing Arts. She studied piano with Dr. Paul Steward and was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon. She has performed in operas including Tosca and Carmen, and in Camelot, Phantom, Kiss Me Kate, Hair, and The Who's Tommy. Her philosophy is to help each student discover their own natural singing and playing style.

Bianca has lived and breathed music since age three and began piano lessons at five. She grew up in the Hollywood area in a musical family and was mentored by leading figures in music and drama across theatre and television. She specializes in helping beginners build confidence and guiding advanced players toward professional goals, focusing on real-world skills like sitting in with a band and performing with ease.

Michael is originally from New York, where he had formal studies in music education working with ensembles, ear training, and theory. He has worked with bass, violin, cello, clarinet, recorder, and trumpet, and has experience in both choral and instrumental conducting. His focus at Rock Out Academy is classical and traditional style guitar.

Tristan has been drumming since the age of five and studied under Mr. Eric Allaire. He is part of the Royal Sound Marching Band and enjoys working with both drum set and marching band students.

Angela has starred and performed in numerous theatrical productions and has worked teaching theatre and as an educator.

Brandon teaches piano, guitar, and bass, and has made Rock Out Academy his main teaching home. He loves working with kids and adults and has a relaxed approach to teaching.

David has been playing guitar for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to Rock Out Academy, working with both private students and rock band students.