EFMusic

EFMusic is proud to announce the arrival of piano instructor, Kyle Perkins!

Kyle is an advanced pianist, performer and educator with over 20 years of experience.

He attended Montana State University as a Music Education Major and received scholarships for his musical talents. After two years, Kyle chose to switch to a Psychology major, but kept music as a minor and continued performing and training all four years, being consistently adjudicated and refining his ability to perform advanced repertoire. While making the switch was a difficult decision, Kyle knew the knowledge gained through his psychology degree courses would be invaluable as an educator. Ultimately he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Minor in music. Afterwards, Kyle went on to complete his Master’s degree in Communicology (Psychology of Communication) from the University of Hawaii.

As an instructor, Kyle is encouraging, adaptable, and highly responsive to each student’s needs. He is comfortable teaching a wide range of styles, including classical, jazz, worship, and popular music. He also enjoys working with all students, from young beginners to advanced players. He highly values incorporating enjoyment and fun to encourage students’ passion for piano. His combined background in music, education and psychology alongside his passion for seeing student success and growth, allows him to create a supportive and engaging learning environment which fosters both strong musical skills and a love for the instrument.

In addition to being part of the EFMusic and Rock Box teaching faculty, Kyle is an active performer in the community, focusing mostly on jazz-style arrangements of popular songs and taking live requests by ear (which is supported by his strong ear training and perfect pitch) and plays on a local worship team.

Kyle has been teaching 4 days a week at our sister school in North Port since April and consistently receives praise from his students and their families. He now also has times available at our South Sarasota location.

Welcome to the Sarasota team, Kyle!

EFMusic is proud to announce the arrival of violin instructor, Daniel Lara!

Daniel (violin/guitar/piano) is a dedicated music educator and multi-instrumentalist whose musical journey began with a formative experience in fifth grade after attending a performance of The Nutcracker. A pricipal violisist, he also developed a passion for guitar and bass guitar.

Shorly after graduating high school, the conductor of the Sarasota Pops Orchestra heard him play and invited him to be the young artist guest soloist for the “Camping with the Pops” summer program. Shortly thereafter, he was also asked to join the orchestra for the upcoming season.

Daniel was awarded a full scholarship to the State College of Florida as part of the Presidential String Quartet through the Music department. He would earn this scholarship for both years while earning his Associate of Arts. Following SCF, Daniel began pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at the University of South Florida in 2024. During his collegiate studies, Daniel also added piano to his instrumental skill set, recognizing its essential importance for music educators in teaching theory, rehearsal skills, and comprehensive musicianship across all ensembles.

Daniel’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that music education is both transformative and deeply fulfilling. He is passionate about helping students develop confidence and understanding through music, guiding them through challenges, and supporting those moments when concepts finally “click.” His dedication to student growth continues to shape his development as both an educator and performer.

Welcome to the team, Daniel!

EFMusic extends a warm welcome to Alyssa Wolf who will join the team next week as our piano, woodwinds and brass instructor!

Alyssa began her musical education at 7 years old taking piano lessons right here in Sarasota. Her mom had always played classical music for her in infancy, and she was drawn to it. She also picked up the clarinet in 6th grade. In middle school she added the flute in order to join the jazz band and from there her passion for music grew exponentially. She excelled in high school, participating in the top ensemble at Sarasota’s Riverview High School and in music festivals such as the Smoky Mountain Music Festival. She engaged in every musical venture she could, including adding even more instruments such as alto saxophone. Her first teaching experience came early when she volunteered at her former middle school teaching clarinet lessons to the students for all four years of high school. She also participated as a woodwinds instructor for summer camps at her high school upon graduation. These opportunities made it clear that music was her calling.

Alyssa attended the University of South Florida and received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education. During her time in college, she was fascinated and excelled at her courses, such as music theory, aural theory, elementary methods, and the learning of even more instruments. She strengthened her skills in music and in teaching, realizing that she enjoys specializing in foundational music skills, particularly to younger learners. Notably, Alyssa received the Virginia Bridges Music Education award while at USF. Alyssa’s passions in college were focused on woodwinds and elementary instruction, and she interned in 2024 in both middle and elementary school. She worked with three levels of band classes, along with a jazz band at the middle school level and worked with K-5 students as well. Alyssa honed skills for working with all students including those with disabilities, finding highly successful, adaptive practices. Upon graduation, she continued to substitute in music classrooms in Sarasota County and special needs classrooms, with focus in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

While classroom teaching was very rewarding, Alyssa found her niche in the world of private instruction and has been teaching piano ,winds brass and even ukulele. In addition to being part of the Elizaebth Farrell Music Faculty, she is the clarinet instructor at Riverview High School, both teaching small groups within the classroom and providing private after-school lessons on campus.

Ultimately, Alyssa’s philosophy and passion is to provide students with quality music instruction in a way that resonates with them and inspires joy. Music is meant to be an expression of self, and a wonderful canvas for life skills and self-enjoyment. She works well with every age range, although has found a specialty with young children as well as neurodivergent or disabled individuals.

Sofia (left) and Lyna (right) are piano students of EFMusic's Tina Pearce. They're graduating middle school and will attend Riverview High School next fall.

Sofia and Lyna are not only talented young pianists, they are multi-instrumentalists! Sofia plays flute and trumpet and Lyna plays trombone. Both girls will be in the band program at Riverview! Congratulations to you both!

We wish all of our grads the best of luck on their next big adventure!

Happy Memorial Day! 🎶🎶

We're sending out a huge CONGRATULATIONS to EFMusic voice student Skylah who was selected to be the Musical Director and played the lead role of Anna in Lakewood Ranch High School's production of "Frozen." 🥶🎶🎶

Skylah takes voice lessons with the fabulous Megan Brown at our LWR location. This fall she's headed off to University of West Florida to begin studying to receive a Bachelors in Fine Arts for Musical Theatre!

Amazing work, Skylah. We wish you luck and continued success! 🎉🥳

More about LWRHS's Frozen can be found in this great write up by The Observer: https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2026/apr/26/lakewood-ranch-high-presents-frozen/

📢📢📢Attention Educators!📢📢📢

We're looking for someone to join our team!

Elizabeth Farrell Music, a well established and vibrant music school with 2 Sarasota locations and a 3rd sister school location in North Port (The Rock Box) is looking for a talented and reliable professional musician with a minimum Bachelors Degree in a field of Music (music minors will be considered) with principal instrument being an Orchestral String (violin/viola/cello). 🎻🎶🎶

QUALIFICATIONS:
We seek a qualified professional, degreed and highly proficient in teaching violin, cello and viola to all levels. Those who have experience teaching secondary instruments (guitar piano etc) is a huge plus. Must be comfortable teaching all ages, with a particularly great rapport with children. Prior teaching experience with a proven track record is also required. We frequently engage in collaboration between teachers and students and need a team-player.

SCHEDULE:
Our Sarasota locations are incredibly busy and the new teacher should expect to begin witgh a 3-5 day schedule. Although work hours can be somewhat flexible, typical teaching hours are approximately 1-8pm during the week.

START DATE:
This position can start as early as June 8th or as late as 7/6.

EMAIL RESUME AND COVER LETTER along with any questions to [email protected]

Job Types: Contract, Part-time. Full-Time

Education:
Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:
Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: Multiple locations

Join us in welcoming Kyle Perkins to our family of teachers! 🎹

Kyle is an advanced pianist, performer and educator with over 20 years of experience. What started as tag-along lessons at six years old quickly became a lasting passion that would significantly shape his identity and future. Through much time and commitment in his early years of piano, he emerged as a top performer amongst peers. He received multiple perfect scores in both piano and vocal performance at state festivals, accompanied various musicians, and performed with his school orchestra and jazz band. Consistently playing the most advanced music at his teacher’s studio and his high school, he decided the best option was to use his gift and continue his piano journey into college.

Kyle attended Montana State University as a Music Education Major and received scholarships for his musical talents. After two years, Kyle chose to switch to a Psychology major, but kept music as a minor and continued performing and training all four years. Kyle knew the knowledge gained through his psychology degree courses would be invaluable as an educator.

As an instructor, Kyle is encouraging, adaptable, and highly responsive to each student’s needs. He is comfortable teaching a wide range of styles, including classical, jazz, worship, and popular music. He also enjoys working with all students, from young beginners to advanced players. He highly values incorporating enjoyment and fun to encourage students’ passion for piano. His combined background in music education and psychology alongside his passion for seeing student success and growth allows him to create a supportive and engaging learning environment which fosters both strong musical skills and a love for the instrument.

To sign up for piano lessons with Kyle, call the Rock Box at 941-315-6888! Visit our website at www.rockboxmusicschool.com for more information about Kyle and our other awesome teachers.

Experience the music at the award-winning Rock Box! North Port’s original music destination! 🎶

****Attention Farmers Market Performers and Families****

On Saturday, we perform at the intersection of State St & Lemon St in Downtown Sarasota. 🎷🎹🎸🎻🪈🪘

The yellow circle is our exact performance location, right next to Beso Restaurant.

The blue square is the closest and most simple parking option: State street Parking Garage.

We kindly ask that performers arrive no less than 15 minutes prior to their scheduled block. Upon arrival, please check in at the EFMusic desk located on the front right side of the stage area.

See you soon!! 🎶🎶🎶🎶

Our ever successful and popular rock band summer camp is scheduled for one week and will accept PEP/UA scholarships.

Rock Band Summer Camp
Facilitated by Mr. Will Osborn @ our Lakewood Ranch location
Starts July 13
More info and sign up: https://elizabethfarrellmusic.com/summer-camp-intro-to-rock-band/

We're thrilled to announce that beloved voice and piano instructor Mariana Bellew will be returning to EF Music and also joining in April 2026!!

Mariana is a highly qualified music instructor with years of performing and teaching experience. In elementary school, Mariana enrolled in voice and piano classes and after a few years successfully auditioned for the National Voice Competition for the Artistic College of Tirana (Albania), a very tough country-wide competition. From there she continued her training and auditioned again for another national competition through the Albania University of Arts where she was one of only 7 students selected from the entire country. She went on to receive her Diploma from the College Artistic School of Tirana (focusing on voice and piano) and afterwards, earned multiple degrees & Diplomas including Vocal Performance from the University of Tirana, Albania, Diploma in Vocal Performance from the Dimitris Mitropoulos Conservatory in Athens, Greece, The Royal Conservatory of Music in Early Childhood Music Education Program in Toronto, Canada and Masters of Music Education from the University of New Mexico.

While Mariana had an extensive performance career as a soloist across the globe, she always wanted to contribute and make a difference by inspiring students to reach their potential. Mariana has taught in public and private schools, traditional & Montessori, as choir director, piano & voice instructor, as well as a preschool, elementary and middle school general music teacher and has experience working with special education programs and children with special needs. Mariana also has a proven record of success preparing her private voice and piano students with superior ratings for Trinity College London Music Exams, National Federation of Music Festival, Guild Music Exams, Dennis Alexander Piano Competition, and Royal Conservatory of Music Exams. She’s also trained and prepared students to successfully audition for the National Opera of Canada.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome (back) to Mariana!