Professional Music Teachers

Brianna Shirin is a passionate musician and dedicated music educator with a Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University, where she studied Music Performance and Music Technology. She is a two-time winner of the Metropolitan Area Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, and she has had the honor of performing alongside world-renowned artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and The Piano Guys.

During her time at Stetson, Brianna toured internationally with the university’s orchestras—performing in Germany, England, and Wales with the Stetson Chamber Orchestra, and touring Italy with the Stetson Symphony Orchestra.

Currently, Brianna teaches viola, violin, and piano to students of all ages and abilities. She specializes in adaptive instruction for students with special needs and has been teaching music since the age of 15. In 2025, she founded Starlight Performing Arts Academy, a virtual music school committed to providing high-quality, accessible instruction from the comfort of students’ homes.

 Olivia Corporon has been playing violin since she was eleven and has been teaching students since before she pursued music at the university level. She obtained her bachelor degree at Stetson University under Routa Kroumovitch-Gomez, and is currently getting her masters in performance at the University of North Texas with Philip Lewis and Cynthia Roberts. She has a keen interest for baroque studies and historical performance practice, as well as modern teaching and how to make lessons engaging and full of learning tools to help students learn to appreciate music as a whole.  

 Isabelle Schueler is a cellist, educator, and arts administrator based in the Tampa Bay Area. She began playing cello at the age of 10 and has loved sharing music with others ever since. Isabelle earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Florida, where she studied under Scott Kluksdahl.

With over four years of teaching experience, Isabelle has worked with students in both private and group settings. She teaches group classes through The Florida Orchestra’s education programs and offers personalized one-on-one instruction tailored to each student’s needs and goals. 

Her teaching style is grounded in building solid foundational technique, while also using music as a way to foster confidence and creativity. She also offers instruction in sight reading and audition preparation.

In addition to teaching, Isabelle works with The Florida Orchestra and the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center, combining her love of performance and education with her interest in supporting the arts behind the scenes. She is committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel comfortable exploring their musical voice.

 Evan Lutz is a clarinetist and woodwind musician from the Tampa Bay area. He has over 13 years of experience with the clarinet and has studied at Stetson University and the University of South Florida receiving a bachelor's and master's respectively. In addition to performance and education Evan specializes in clarinet repair. He has studied with Tony Negron, Lynn Musco, and Calvin Falwell, and performed at the International Clarinet Association's Clarinetfest in Dublin Ireland as well as the Low Clarinetfest in Arizona. In addition to these Evan has attended the Clazz festival in Italy, and performed with groups such as the Florida Wind Band, Southern Winds, and The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra. 

 Mezzo Soprano Nidia Guevara-Nolasco is currently pursuing her Master of Music degree at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the tutelage of Professor Robin Rice. She was last seen as Woman in Hat in the Shepherd School of Music's production of The Ghost of Versailles. Along with this roll she has appeared as Prince Orlofsky in Stetson University's production of Die Fledermaus and Dido from Dido and Aeneas for Stetson University as well. Ms. Guevara-Nolasco was part of the pilot apprenticeship program for Opera Orlando where she was cast in the chorus for Tosca. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at Stetson University.  

Demetrius Galindez Jr. is a percussionist from Central Florida, who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Performance from Stetson University where he studied with Dan Johnson.

As a performer, Demetrius has performed in multiple ensembles during his undergraduate studies at Stetson University. He has performed with a variety of chamber ensembles, the

Chamber Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra, where he was the principal percussionist, the Jazz Ensemble, where he had the honor of performing with artists such as Ryan Devlin, the Percussion Ensemble, where he was twice performed as a soloist, and the Symphonic Band which recently had a performance tour in Costa Rica, and it is where he was the principal percussionist. Demetrius has also performed with local groups and artists in Central Florida such as Groove Royalty, Dream October, Christina Vukel, and he was a part of the worship team for a church in New Smyrna known as FirstNSB.  As an educator, Demetrius has primarily worked with DeLand High School and Ivy Hawn Charter School, where his responsibilities included rehearsal planning and music arrangement/composition. Demetrius was also a music theory tutor for the second half of his time at Stetson University. Currently, Demetrius is pursuing a Master’s in Percussion Performance at the University of South Florida where he will be studying with Dr. Kevin von Kampen, and where he will have a GA position where he will be in charge of grading assignments for the undergraduate Music Theory students.

 Brandon Connors-Morrison is a musician and music composer residing in the Orlando area. Beginning flute at thirteen and composition at fourteen, his passion for music has flourished into a career. He received his bachelor’s degree in Composition at Stetson University and his master’s in Composition and Theory at New York University. He has learned various instruments throughout his studies, such as flute, piano, euphonium, and trombone. 

In addition to being a musician, Brandon regularly composes for various ensembles and groups. He has had his works performed at both Stetson and NYU, as well as New York-based groups Kon Trip and Hypercube. His compositions range from electronic works to full-scale orchestral symphonies. 

With experience from NYU, Brandon enjoys sharing his love of music through teaching. He is open to working with students of all ages and creates an accepting, self-paced, and goal-driven environment. 

Brandon Arguello, born in Miami, Florida, is an active performer and educator in the Broward County area for both flute and French horn. This first-generation Latin American provides a bountiful depth in both in his flute and French Horn playing, performing styles such as classical, jazz, and a variety of Latin styles. Attended Broward College from 2018 to 2021, where he obtained his associate in arts degree during his time while studying under Rene Miska. Performed in the Broward Symphony Orchestra under Terence Kirchgessner, works such as Dvorak Symphony no. 8, Danzon no. 2 by Arturo Marquez, small chamber works such as the Petite Suite by Gounod. As well as performed with the Broward Symphonic Band on the French Horn under Niel Jenkins with notable pieces like Give Us This Day and El Camino Real.

Brandon Arguello continued his studies at Stetson University receiving a Bachelor of Music Psychology under Tamara Phillips. Performed in ensembles such as the Stetson’s Flute Choir, Stetson Concert and Symphonic Band. 

Currently, Brandon Arguello is an Assistant Director of Bands at Coral Springs Charter School in Coral Springs, FL where he teaches both middle and high school band classes. 

Jacob Spangler is a multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, and experienced educator with over a decade of private teaching experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Stetson University and specializes in classical guitar, fingerstyle, composition, songwriting, and music theory.

Jacob’s teaching emphasizes solid technique, musical expression, and the development of a confident, personal connection to the instrument. After spending nearly four years in Romania

teaching music to students of diverse backgrounds, he developed a flexible and thoughtful approach that balances structure with exploration. His lessons encourage students to stay curious—about the music, the physical sensations of playing, and the creative possibilities that unfold through consistent practice.

Whether you're learning your first chords, diving into advanced repertoire, or exploring the logic behind music through theory, Jacob provides a supportive and focused environment to help you tap into your innate musical vitality.

 Victor Acuna, a senior at the University of Central Florida (UCF), is pursuing dual degrees in Computer Engineering and Music. He studied clarinet under Rie Suzuki, a member of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and UCF’s Assistant Professor of Clarinet, and has previously studied under Keith Koons, UCF’s Professor Emeritus. As a performer on both B-flat and E-flat clarinets, Victor has played in the UCF Wind Ensemble and has also played with the UCF Symphony Orchestra, showcasing his talent with pieces like Hindemith's Clarinet Sonata. In addition to his achievements on clarinet, Victor is an accomplished saxophonist with a focus on jazz, having participated in UCF’s Video Game Ensemble and jazz combos led by renowned musicians
such as Jason Marsalis and Robert Koelble. His compositional work includes Cavalcade, which premiered with the FSYO Jazz Band, and he has arranged pieces for UCF’s Video Game Ensemble. Further expanding his musical skills, Victor has developed expertise in audio engineering under Thomas Harrison at UCF, specializing in recording and mixing instrumental performances. 

 Marz Pearson is a recent DeLand High School graduate going into Music Education in the fall at Stetson University. She has experience instructing as a section leader in band and was titled Student Director in her senior year of choir. She also currently teaches lessons in Daytona Beach, Florida. She has had years of private piano tutoring and hopes to help any student of any age and level learn to love the piano and to grow a passion in others for creating music. 

Ali McCandless is a dedicated violinist committed to sharing her love and passion for music with her students.  She has been studying music and receiving private lessons from Brianna Shirin and several other distinguished instructors for many years. She has been performing and teaching in multiple disciplines throughout her entire life. 

With over 15 years of experience as an acrobatic performer, she brings a wealth of stage presence to her teaching. Ali loves teaching and aims to inspire, encourage and spread her love of music through engaging and educational lessons.  She is devoted to fostering a positive and stimulating learning environment.  Ultimately, her goal is to instill a lifelong appreciation for music in each of her students.