We offer music lessons for:
Piano, Organ, Accordion, Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass, Guitar & Bass (Electric & Acoustic), Banjo, Mandolin, Lap & Pedal Steel, Dobro, Fiddle, Ukulele, Brass and Woodwinds, Recorder, Native Flute, Drums, Hand Drums, Harmonica, and Voice.
Meet Our Music Teachers
Anthony “Ant Cee” Citrinite
Drums
Hi! My name is Anthony Citrinite, a/k/a Ant Cee–(to make it easier for people to say and spell my name =)
I’ve always been into music—it picked me; I didn’t pick it. I’ve always been drawn to all types of music and the business behind them. In addition, I have a passion for music education. I’ve been a student my entire life and have been teaching on and off from the age of 17. Since then, I have recorded/performed/toured as a drummer, percussionist, band member and/or sideman/hired gun with various bands including Boston, Coheed & Cambria, The SmashUp, The Bushpilots, Engine Orange, and Embers Only, among many others. I’ve been a booking agent, tour manager, songwriter, movie extra, TV extra (I was in the Howard Stern Movie for a millisecond). I’ve played gigs in front of an audience of one all the way up to 3 million people–backyards to stadiums, MTV VMAS at Radio City, CBGB’s hundreds of times, and I have the great honor of having my drumsticks on display at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Warped Tour Exhibit. Music has allowed me to travel all over the globe and meet scores of talented, successful, and amazing people and create many memories.
I moved to NYC from Upstate NY (Utica) in 1994, right after I graduated high school. I then began my 26 year involvement with The (Drummer’s) Collective NYC as a student, going from student to director, working my way up every step along the way. Running an iconic music school in NYC had its challenges–I went through them all, and then some, and I’m here to tell the story to all who are interested. I went on to own the school and it was acquired by a Japanese company in 2016.
I’m currently creating and releasing music with Embers Only, a Brooklyn NY, band formed over 10 years ago.
In 2015, I visualized and began to build the MeetHook (MH) platform. MH was created by a musician to help other musicians and artists create new revenue streams. Using the skills, experience and fan base that they already have, MH is a fully integrated platform for them to connect with drummers via live video sessions. I use MH regularly to teach drum lessons, give advice, or consult on a range of music and business-related topics.
Daren Taylor
Voice Lessons
Daren Taylor is a U.S. Army Veteran and a former performer, Assistant Artistic Director, and vocal/performance coach for the U.S. Army Soldier Show, a touring Vegas-style burlesque show showcasing Top 20 hits from all genres, out of Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. He is a classically trained vocalist who started vocal lessons at the age of 5, so he’s very much a proponent that it’s never too early or too late to start singing. He has taught vocal lessons at several music stores in Port Charlotte, as well as remote lessons with students who have heard him sing and wish to know how he, as a natural baritone, can reach up into the female alto register and sing high harmonies over female singers. He currently sings lead vocals for the “BoogieMen,” a ten-piece band out of Punta Gorda, and “Marley Road,” a musical project with his brother in Sarasota. As a former combat medic in the Army, Daren has a great understanding of the anatomy of the voice, and what a voice has to physically do in order to achieve certain tones, notes and styles. Daren spent his entire childhood singing in a very large and musical family where he was able to train his ear to find harmonies and blend well with other vocalists.
Allison Deal
Brass Lessons
Allison Deal is a trumpet player and long-time resident of Englewood, FL. She recently received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Stetson University. During her time in college, she played with the Stetson Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Pep Band, and various chamber groups. In May 2023, she participated in a concert tour of Italy with the Stetson Chamber Orchestra, performing in Rome, Lucca, and Venice. Since then, she has become an active member of the North Port Symphony, and regularly plays gigs in her local area. She is currently accepting any student interested in studying trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium and tuba.
Nancy Seibert
Accordion & Keyboard Lessons
Nancy loves teaching accordion to beginners or advanced students. A student will learn not only the basics of accordion, but their world will open to knowing and understanding music as they learn and play a variety of styles/genres of music: folk, standards, classical, pop, show tunes, international songs, country, game music, and more. Music theory will be included as the student progresses.
Nancy is a certified teacher by the American Accordionists’ Association. She has patience, knowledge, interest in the student and their goals. She will customize the learning plan for each student.
Whether you are brushing up on your skills on accordion or want to work with your digital keyboard, Nancy can help you attain the skills needed to make your music come to life. (Specializing in Yamaha PSR keyboards and TYROS keyboards).
Nancy lives in Venice, Florida. She was originally from Indianapolis and has been a musician, teacher, award-winning songwriter, recording artist, singer, and performer.
She started playing accordion in her youth and participated in American Accordionists’ Association Competitions. She started playing professionally when she was 16, playing solo events, and then forming duos, trios, and her well-received band, Nancy and the Gentlemen, which played at various events in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas for their 20 years together. She pursued her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Education at Butler University, while still performing with her band.
Highlights for Nancy included special performances with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) for the spectacular Luciano Pavarotti Concert held in Market Square. She also played with the ISO for performances by Robert Merrill, operatic baritone, actor, and musical theater performer.
She was Music Teacher in the Pike Township School system in Indianapolis and became the Music Department Chairperson for Guion Creek Middle School.
After moving to Florida, she quickly landed a 6-year engagement at the Brauhaus Venice Restaurant until the restaurant was destroyed in a devastating fire. For the last 5 years, he has played at DaVinci German Restaurant in Nokomis. She was musical director for Asolo Theaters’ production of Yentl. She has played numerous Oktoberfests in the state of Florida.
Steven Latanision
Banjo, Mandolin, Lap and Pedal Steel, Fiddle, Viola, and Ukulele Lessons
My goal as a teacher is simple, to bring out the best in any student, utilizing and bringing out the best of their individual skills. Intelligence helps, but art is more about personality than it is about intellect. Some aspects of personality need to be encouraged, and others need to be overcome in order to be the best they can be. As a multi-instrumentalist, I like to bring out the many different aspects of music, so that the student receives a wide range of instruction, from how to practice, how to look at music, the studies involved, and the relatedness between genres and instruments. A good example would be bluegrass, which is a mix of Irish, blues and jazz. Theory is highly encouraged, and is taught in a useful, practical manner.
After experience in two state programs for symphonic music (Minnesota Youth Symphony and the Detroit Youth Symphony) and benefitting from some very fine instruction (Ron Balazs, Minnesota Orchestra, and Ron Peterson, Detroit Symphony Orchestra), Steve enrolled at the Berklee School of Music to study jazz. And studied under Brett Wiflmott, Matt Glaser and Joan Huntley. Playing guitar since age 7, and violin since age 9, he used Berklee to his fullest advantage, graduating in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Production and Engineering. He has been teaching privately, averaging a roster of 60-80 students per week for the last 25 years.
Debbie Dale
Piano, Organ, Beginning Guitar, Recorder, & Native Flute Lessons
Debbie teaches piano full time to students aged 4 to 94, beginners through advanced, including special needs and physically disabled students. She has a bachelor’s degree in music and has taught since 1980, and since 1992 in the North Port area. Her students learn a variety of music of their choice, including popular, jazz, gospel, folk, and classical pieces, as well as exercises and theory in fun and easy to understand lesson books.
Dana Killam
Violin and Viola Lessons
Dana Killam is from Minnesota and currently a resident of North Port, Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Music for Violin Performance from the University of Minnesota. There she studied with Sally O’Reilly, the author of Fiddle Rhythms and Fiddle Magic and also studied with Suzuki pedagogue, Mark Bjork. Other teachers of note are Dennis Lane, Liz Bell, Ann Anderson and Mary West.
Dana has had an extensive career performing diverse music in groups which include The WhiteSidewalls, Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company, The Shadows Band, Exultate, The Jennifer Lane Ensemble, and the Bella Nota String Quartet. Her passion for worship music also made her a sought after performer at many churches throughout the Twin Cities metro area. She served as Principal 2nd Violin in the Bloomington Symphony and is currently appointed as Principal 2nd Violin of the North Port Symphony. She is also an active member of Robby Vee and His Rock and Roll Caravan which she performs with regularly throughout the Midwest. She has recorded projects with The WhiteSidewalls, Eaglebrook Church, Kristine Wriding, Exultate and Robby Vee.
Along with performing, Dana has been teaching privately for over 19 years. She derives much pleasure in teaching the fundamentals of the violin as well as passing along the joy of music to her students.
Karen Creeden
String (Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass) Lessons
Karen Creeden was born and raised in Colonia, NJ. At 11 years old, she began the violin and continued taking private lessons through high school. She then pursued a career in Music Education and Performance, acquiring a BM in Music Education at West Virginia University and a MM in Violin Performance. This was followed by 15+ years of teaching privately as well as at the Suzuki Center of Lehigh Valley, PA and the Community Music School, in Allentown, PA.
In 1990, she was appointed teacher of strings and orchestra director for the Parkland School District in Allentown for all grades. For 39 years, she performed with the Allentown Symphony.
Karen is a member of the worship team at Bethel Bible Fellowship Church and Cedar Crest BFC (PA) as well as at the New Hope Community Church here in North Port.
She has 3 (adult) children, and 7 grandchildren. Once retired, she moved to North Port, FL and now splits up her year between here and Emmaus, PA. Besides teaching violin, she enjoys knitting, sewing, Italian language, being with her kids and grandkids.
Josh Simpson
Guitar, Bass, & Ukulele Lessons
Bio to come
Johnny Guitar Murphy
Group Guitar Classes
Continuing my passion for music and teaching, I completed a formal bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education, with a minor in Music Education at Florida Atlantic University. Studies included: Music History and Practice (Jazz, Classical, Country and Rock), Early Childhood Music Education, Group and Personal Musical Instructing Leadership. In addition, I began providing personal guitar and musical theory instructions within the area.
After a few years, I found myself relocating to Florida’s West Coast where I continue my passion for music and guitar as a private guitar instructor in the Charlotte and Sarasota County area.
Kim Campos
Voice Lessons
Kimberly Campos is a life long resident of Sarasota, a graduate of Riverview High School. She attended Cumberland College where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Education. She has taught for Sarasota County Schools for the past 34 years and is currently the music teacher at Lamarque Elementary where she not only teaches music but runs a successful after-school chorus performance program. Professionally she has performed with The Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, Key Chorale, the Venice Concert Band, the North Port Symphony, the Port Charlotte Concert Band, and the North Port Concert Band. She has also performed with area community theatres, including the Players of Sarasota, Venice Theatre, and Charlotte Players. In addition, she is the Director of Music Ministries for North Port Community United Church of Christ. She has sung with the North Port Chorale for many years and is thrilled to now be leading this talented group. Kimberly has taught private voice lessons at our store for over 10 years.
Dave LaGrande
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piano, Music Theory
Dave LaGrande is a seasoned professional musician with over 25 years of industry experience, including 13 years immersed in Nashville’s vibrant music scene. He holds a Master of Arts degree with a specialization in Film Scoring from Chichester University (UK) and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Central Florida.
Dave has collaborated with notable talents such as Tiffany, Jelly Roll, John Berry, Shaun Murphy, Heidi Newfield, Darius Rucker, Stan Lynch of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and the platinum-selling band Sister Hazel. His impressive resume includes performances on The Today Show, The Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and the Academy of Country Music Awards, along with multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry.
Dave spent nearly 12 years as the keyboardist and saxophonist for Sister Hazel, contributing to their recordings and tours from 2012 to 2023, including hits like “All for You,” “Change Your Mind,” and “Champagne High.” Known for his versatility and skill, he is a sought-after collaborator in the Nashville music community. Beyond performing and touring, Dave has been a highly regarded session player and arranger.
In 2019, Dave relocated back to Southwest Florida, and retired from full-time touring in December 2023 to spend more time at home. He now focuses on film scoring, arranging, and teaching, while enjoying time with his family.
Lance Dieckmann
Harmonica Lessons
Lance Dieckmann, a San Diego harmonica player and vocalist, moved to Florida from the West Coast three years ago and currently lives in Port Charlotte. His harp playing connects with audiences with its raw, heartfelt style. Lance’s vocals are well known for their power and formidable range.
Born and raised in San Diego, Lance began his career as a powerhouse rock vocalist. He fronted San Diego local bands such as Archer, Alley Rat, and Gridlock, and opened for the likes of Blue Oyster Cult, Pat Travers, Wishbone Ash, and Foghat. His wide-ranging musical interests led him to explore his blues roots giving birth to his own band “D.A. and the Hitmen,” whose original CDs, Looking Past the Blues and Lucky Dog, were both nominated for the Best Blues CD at the San Diego Music Awards. Both CDs can still be found on Spotify and Amazon. Lance played with several local, well-respected blues bands, spending 11 years with the “Stoney B Blues Band,” playing his harmonica and sharing vocal duties with Stoney B. The band played the CA blues circuit from San Diego to Long Beach to LA as well as Blues Festivals in Canada, Louisiana, and Arizona. They were honored to open for B.B. King in 2014 at Humphrey’s by the Bay in San Diego one year before B.B.’s passing in 2015.
While in San Diego, Lance also branched out and played regularly with “Sickstring Outlaws,” a local outlaw country band. Lance’s harmonica work can be found on their album Electric Moonshine. While playing with Sickstring, the band was the opening act for David Allen Coe at several of his gigs in SoCal. Lance’s harmonica can be heard on recordings for several local San Diego artists including Wayne Riker’s CD “The Blues Convocation,” featuring some of San Diego’s finest musicians, as well as legendary keyboard player Mike Finnigan. Originally landing in St. Petersburg in 2018 before moving to Port Charlotte, Lance had the opportunity to play with some local bands and is featured on a CD released by “The James Robert Davis Band” in 2019. He currently has several projects in the works and looks forward to continuing his musical career in the Port Charlotte area.
