Our faculty is dedicated to teaching excellence in a warm, friendly environment, designed to inspire the joy of music and art. The Academy is proud of our teacher's commitment to be here for our student's long-term goals. Our facility houses twelve studios, a recital hall, and a visual art studio, all in a beautiful historical building in the thriving heart of Gainesville.

Lessons are customized to the individual goals of students of all ages from children to adults in private music, small art classes, as well as special group sessions and master-classes. A special program for early music education, MusikGarten, gives even the youngest child an opportunity to develop skills in movement, instrumental music, and group activities.

The Academy has been given approval by the school system so that its lessons count for required arts credits in home school and high school programs.

Highlights and features

Harmonica, Banjo, Bass, Trumpet, Mandolin, Cello, Music Theory, Clarinet, Voice, Flute, Guitar, Saxophone

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Olga Ballengee

Olga Ballengee is an accomplished performing musician, music teacher, and scholar. Violin students of various backgrounds, interests, and goals can benefit from her well-rounded and diverse musical training. Olga teaches students of all ability levels, ages three to adult.

Geoffrey Fitzhugh Perry

Violin lessons with Geoff Perry are light hearted and fun. Even though he is a seasoned professional jazz violinist who has played “gigs” like the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival in front of 40,000 people and been a soloist with symphony orchestras, Geoff prides himself in making students of any age (3 to 93 so far!) and ability level comfortable in exploring their own unique musical experience.

Billy Bowker

One of the Academy’s most experienced teachers, Billy attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston before transferring to the University of Miami where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music. He has played in many Gainesville venues with the Frank Sullivan Trio, as well as Latin bands such as Sin Tiempo, and Caribe Son. Billy specializes in jazz, big band and Latin styles, as well as percussion.

Chet Honeycutt

Chet attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. He has performed professionally throughout Florida on electric and acoustic guitar and bass in a variety of bands. His diverse range of musical styles includes rock, pop, blues, funk, bluegrass, jazz and reggae.

Darlene Magee

An eclectic and vast musical background is what I bring to the Academy. As long as I can remember, music has been an important part of my life. Once you become a student of music, you will discover there is so much to learn you will never run out of new and amazing material. It is a joy to teach piano. I love sharing the excitement and pride my students’ feel when they have learned well a challenging piece of music.

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