Mr. Derek Hudson - PIANO, GUITAR
My name is Derek Hudson and I am the owner of Hudson Music Studio! I started playing the piano (my favorite instrument) when I was 8 years old and took piano and guitar lessons all the way through grad school. Now, I get to teach both kids and adults and I love my job! I live in the great city of Land O Lakes, Florida and am married to my awesome wife, Aubrey. We have two boys and a girl: Maddox, Everett, and Evelyn and two dogs: Pearl and Henley. :)
Things I like:
Breakfast for dinner (brinner, of course!)
Hearing my boys’ laughter when I make silly faces
Channeling my inner Aladdin to play and sing “A Whole New World” with my wife.
Exploring Tampa’s many awesome restaurants, beaches, and parks.
Things I don’t like:
Giving up on a book, no matter how bad it actually is.
Eating greasy pizza. Remedy: Absorbing it with a paper towel.
Seeing students quit piano before they reach their potential.
Mr. Emmanuel Dame - PIANO, GUITAR, VOICE, UKULELE
My name is Emmanuel Dame. I am a recently married graduate of the Word of Life Bible Institute. I have had a passion for music ever since I was five years old, when I first started taking lessons and playing the piano.
Over the years, and especially during my time in college, I’ve picked up other instruments and discovered the deep joy of using music as a way to worship and praise my God.
Most recently I spent two incredible years as part of a traveling worship band. That experience allowed me to continue to grow both spiritually and musically, as we used music in a variety of settings to bring people together in fellowship and praise. It’s been amazing to see how much of a blessing music can be for so many.
Things I like:
Traveling to New Places
Jazz Music
Being a part of a great Church
My wife Eva’s beautiful singing
Having friends & family over at our house.
Things I don’t like:
The cold (yay Florida!!)
Bugs (especially roaches)
Cats (I’m a dog person)
Ms. Melina Perdomo - VOICE, PIANO, GUITAR, UKULELE
My name is Melina Perdomo. I graduated from Southeastern University with a degree in Psychology and Music, and I’m now pursuing my master’s in Mental Health Counseling at USF with a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy!
I’ve played piano and guitar since childhood and studied voice through high school and college. Along the way I performed in musical theater, competed in local and state-level music competitions, and now serve as a worship leader and vocal mentor at my church. I’ve also been blessed to teach children through youth ministry, mission trips, and camps where I created fun and encouraging spaces for them to explore and grow.
Outside of music I love spending time with my family, being involved in my church, and finding joy in the little things in life. Teaching music lets me combine my passions for worship, performing, and mentoring while helping students discover their abilities and experience the joy that music brings!
Things I like:
Ice cream
Yellow
The ocean
Lilo & Stitch
Daisies
All things music, family, and Jesus
Things I don’t like:
Podcasts
Mushrooms
Capris
Kombucha
Giving up, because we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!
Mr. John King - GUITAR, VOICE, PIANO, UKULELE
My name is John King and I studied at the University of the Cumberlands where I majored in Music and Political Science (weird combination, I know). After college, I attended River University and received a degree in Ministry (with emphasis on worship). My parents were worship leaders so I got my start in music very early on. I first sang in church at the age of 5 and started playing guitar and piano consistently in middle school. Music is an avenue of creating and story telling unlike any other! I love helping others see their own creativity come to life!
Things I like:
Sports - Kentucky Basketball (GO CATS)
Composing and producing music
Going to my parents every weekend for dinner with the fam!
Things I don’t like:
Tomatoes
Traffic
Tooth Extractions (The Terrible T-Trifecta!)
Mrs. Erica King - VOICE
My name is Erica. I was born and raised in Hawaii. I moved to Tampa in 2013 and I attended River University and received a degree in Ministry (with an emphasis in worship.) I started taking singing seriously when I was in high school and became a worship leader when I was 18 years old and never looked back! My dream is to make music that impacts the world and to help others grow in their full potential in singing and performing!
Things I like:
Worship leading and writing songs
Traveling
Spending time with my husband
Animals, especially alpacas :)
Things I don’t like:
All bugs
The dentist
Being cold! (yay Florida!!!!)
Mr. Ben Strom - PIANO
My name is Ben Strom. I am a Piano Performance major at the University of South Florida. Learning and playing the piano, in general, should be a positive and rewarding experience, and that is what I strive to instill in my students. What I have learned is that there's more to teaching piano than just reading music. It's an opportunity to grow in areas like interpersonal communication, tolerance, self-assurance, and happiness. Many teachers have inspired me and continue to do so, and I hope to inspire my own students.
Things I like:
Being out on the water sailing or kiteboarding.
Morning runs.
Writing music.
Things I don’t like:
Salmon!
Chili!
Being a true Floridian, I must say cold weather. :)
Miss Laura Cubi - PIANO, GUITAR, UKULELE
My name is Laura Cubi and I graduated from the University of South Florida in 2024 with a B.S. in Music Education. I began my musical journey on both the piano and guitar as a child. I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was a little kid and getting to teach music every day is a dream come true! Being a musician allows you to have so many incredible experiences that I hope all my students get to have!
Things I like:
Cheeseburgers
Going to the beach
Binge watching TV shows
Cooking with my boyfriend
Things I don’t like:
Peanut butter
All bugs but especially spiders
When it’s too hot outside (I know it’s Florida, but still!)
Mr. Denver Powell - VOICE, PIANO, GUITAR, UKULELE
My name is Denver Powell. I hold two Bachelor’s Degrees in Vocal Performance and Songwriting from Berklee College of Music. I started my journey in music at the age of 4 years old when I started playing piano. I like it so much I decided to pick up a second instrument, which later became my principal instrument in college - voice. Since I was 4, I've been able to perform and learn from some of music’s biggest names, including: Weird Al, John Legend, Paula Cole, Livingston Taylor, and many others. Even though I’ve done some pretty incredible feats in my music career, nothing compares to my time serving on the worship team at my church over the years. As a teacher, I am excited to instill in the next generation of musicians the heart of creating and performing live music.
Things I like:
Coffee
Dark Green
A Cheeseburger on Sunday (I know, weirdly specific)
Nice Fashion
Writing Songs!
Did I mention Coffee…?
Things I don’t like:
Unseasoned Food
Wasting Time
Mr. Joseph Van Alstine - GUITAR, PIANO, VIOLIN, CELLO
My name is Joseph Van Alstine and I am an upcoming graduate in History at the University of South Florida. I have been performing music for over 10 years, first beginning with cello then adding piano and guitar soon after. A few years ago I started a rock band with my brother and that has been a huge part of my life ever since. I love the opportunity to write, record, and perform original songs and all the opportunities music has given me. I think everyone can benefit from learning an instrument, and music has truly shaped my life.
Things I like:
Reading
Coffee
Puzzles
Church
Spending time with friends and family
Things I don’t like:
Frogs
Very hot or very cold weather
Swimming in the ocean
Ms. Kelsey Thornton - PIANO, VOICE, GUITAR, UKULELE
My name is Kelsey Thornton and I studied Music Education at University of Tampa. I have loved music since I was a child (I used to make up little songs all the time). I love watching my students find their spark and seeing them grow to be wonderful musicians. Learning an instrument, or developing your voice allows your creativity to skyrocket!
Things I like:
Musicals
Reading
Spending time with my cat (Her name is Ginger)
Things I don’t like:
Mornings (I’m 100% a night owl)
Banana flavored candy
Pickles
Mr. Levi Gardner - PIANO, DRUMS, VOICE, GUITAR
My name is Levi Gardner and I am a graduate of the Word of Life Bible Institute. At the Institute I studied the Bible and Worship Arts and was a leader of the Overflow Worship Band where we went on several tours to different churches and schools around the country. I took piano lessons throughout my childhood, and was involved in band as a percussionist during my high school years and gained experience performing with bands at local churches.
I now serve on the leadership team in the Worship Arts Department of the Institute and my hope is that my students experience the euphoria of learning and expressing themselves through music!
Things I like:
Writing poems and composing songs!
Men’s Fashion. I’m a sucker for a quality, well-made shirt!
Ultimate Frisbee!
Things I don’t like:
Wet towels
All Nuts (an extreme allergy makes them my kryptonite)
Splinters…ouch!
Avoiding challenges — versus embracing them!
2023 Spring Recital Teacher Trio