ABOUT US
The First Coast School of Music is based out of Jacksonville, FL. It was established in 2006 and now teaches in schools and studios throughout North Florida. Our mission is to "Make Learning Music Fun!!!"
Our Baldwin SF-10 Grand Piano, along with an array of Fender, Taylor, and Gibson guitars
performing at the Chapin Theater in Orlando
Our Baldwin SF-10 Grand Piano, along with an array of Fender, Taylor, and Gibson guitars
Shawn Pfaffman
Owner, Director
BA Econ, Jazz Studies, Auburn University
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Writer and Instructor for irocku.com, a Chuck Leavell company (The Rolling Stones pianist and musical director). Click the link for a discount on Rock Piano video lessons
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2017 International Blues Challenge Semi-Finalist
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2016 First Coast Blues Society Competition Winner
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Chair, Arts Advisory Council for Duval County Public Schools, 2017-2019
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National Recording and Performing Artist for UAAMusic
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www.shawnpfaffman.com (Music website)
The most important thing is to Make Learning Music FUN!!!! There were 2 defining moments in my life as a musician and a teacher. When I was 13 years old, I wanted to stop taking piano lessons. My teacher convinced my parents to have me stick with it and to help, she got a Blues book. That made it fun for me again and I ended up studying Jazz Studies at Auburn University.
The 2nd moment for me was as a teacher some 10 years ago. I taught 2 brothers, one 8 and the other 12. The 8 year old was a sponge for music and absorbed everything I gave him. The 12 year old was much less enthusiastic about music lessons. After a couple of weeks with no improvement, I asked him what he liked in music. At the time, it was a "Boys 2 Men" song and I made an Easy Big-Note version of that song for him. Suddenly, he loved piano and practiced every week. The most important thing that I stress with our teachers is to "Make Learning Music Fun!!!!!!!!"
Studio and School Music Lead Instructors
Shawn Lightfoot (Guitar, Vocals, Piano, Violin) East Carolina University,
Samantha Bryant (Piano) University of Florida, BA
Dennis Marion (Trumpet) Musical Director for JJ Grey And Mofro; Gregg Allman Band
Anna Jayamanne (Piano, Voice, Flute, Guitar) Berry College, BA
Tim Collins (Guitar, Ukulele, Violin) Florida State University
Jordan Gilman (Saxophone, Clarinet, Piano) University of North Florida, Master of Music, Jazz Studies
Dean Slickis (Piano, Guitar, Violin, Saxophone) The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, NY, BA
Melissa Salek (Piano, Flute)
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Bachelor of Music, California State University, Long Beach
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Master of Music, Florida State University
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Master of Public Administration, Florida State University
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Attended Doctorate of Music, Louisiana State University
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Master of Music Education, University of North Florida, enrolled since 2018
Alex Hernandez (Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piano) University of North Florida, BA
Alex Matos (Trumpet, Piano, Guitar) Florida State College of Jacksonville; US Navy Band
Ihlan Daniel Magloire Martinez (Guitar, Piano) University of North Florida, BA
Noel Millan (Percussion, Piano) University of North Florida, BA
Tracy Gallavan (Piano, Ukulele) Florida State University, BA
Gary Murch (Violin, Guitar, Piano) Berkelee College of Music, BA
Kim Reteguiz (Vocals) Ole Miss University, University of Florida, BA
Scott Niebauer (Guitar, Piano, Violin, Ukulele),
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Master of Music (M.M.), Austin Peay State University
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Bachelor of Music (B.M.), State University of New York College at Fredonia
Luis Ocasio (Percussion, Piano), University of North Florida, BA
James Hall (Woodwinds, Piano), Michigan State University, MM; University of North Florida, BA
Carson Smisek (Brass, Piano) University of North Florida, BA