Our school employs professionals from all over the world.
Meet Our Staff
KYLE WEHNER (Owner/Director; Violin/Viola)
BIRTHPLACE: Midland, Michigan
EDUCATION: BM in Viola Performance, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (2000); Suzuki Certified, Member of SAA EXPERIENCE: Playing since 1985, teaching since 1994
INTERESTING FACT: I have performed with many artists including Aretha Franklin, Michael W. Smith, the broadway tours of "Peter Pan," "The Producers," "Annie," "The Lion King," "Spamalot," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Chicago" and most recently the Trans Siberian Orchestra. I also own/run a wedding music business, Wehner Weddings, which provides live music to over 250 weddings per year. I enjoy collecting exotic salt-water fish and corals for my reef tanks.
Peg Gillick (OFFICE MANAGER)
PEG GILLICK (Office Manager)
BIRTHPLACE: Nowra, Australia
EDUCATION: Bachelor Degree in Secondary Education, Armidale University
EXPERIENCE: Front office manager at WSOTA since 2000
INTERESTING FACT: Plays well with kangaroos and dingos!
ASHLEY CARR MCNAIR (Director of Dance)
BIRTHPLACE: Fort Wayne, Indiana INTERESTING FACT: Took classes from judges on the show, "So You Think You Can Dance"
Please see the "DANCE" page for in-depth bios about Ashley and the rest of the WSOTA Dance Staff.
EDUCATION: BA Business, University of North Florida; Certified in Vocology from the National Center of Voice and Speech in Denver, Colorado; Certified in Somatic Voicework, The LoVetri Method (tm)
EXPERIENCE: 40+ years teaching, 50+ years performing.
INTERESTING FACT: Vocology is a new discipline in the area of voice science. To date only about 100 people are certified worldwide. Judy has performed solo in opera, oratorio, jazz cabaret and musical theater.
BARBARA BROACH (Piano/Keyboard) BIRTHPLACE: Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Home town - New Madrid, Missouri (famous for New Madrid earthquake fault)
EDUCATION: BA in English, University of Mississippi; MAT in English, Brown University
EXPERIENCE: TeachingPiano since 1989; Has also taught English in high school, community colleges, and as a second language in Japan. INTERESTING FACT: I married Robert Broach in 1968. We've lived in MS, VA, RI, Spain, Japan and now here. We have two grown children, Adrianne in Atlanta and David in the Virgin Islands. I'm an avid tennis player, reader and traveler. I also love to cook, especially dishes picked up on trips.
Barbara Broach (PIANO / KEYBOARD)
Pete Winders GUITAR
PETE WINDERS (Guitar)
BIRTHPLACE: Tampa, Florida
EDUCATION: BA in Psychology, UNF; BA in Music, UNF
EXPERIENCE: 20+ years playing, 10+ years teaching
INTERESTING FACT: Pete plays guitar in a band called "3" and is currently touring with Donovan Frankenreiter, where he as appeared on shows such as David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
VIOLETA RADLOVSKA ZEBEAU (Piano/Voice)
BIRTHPLACE: Sumy, Ukraine
EDUCATION: BM in Piano, University of Culture (Kieve Ukraine); BM in Piano, Musical College (Sumy, Ukraine)
EXPERIENCE: 40+ years playing, 25+ years teaching INTERESTING FACT: First performance was at the age of 4 1/2 as a soloist with a chorus.
Violeta Radlovska Zebeau (PIANO / VOICE)
Meagan Curtis (DANCE)
MEAGAN CURTIS (Dance)
BIRTHPLACE: Waldorf, MD
INTERESTING FACT: I was a member for the NFL - Washington Redskins Junior All Star Dance Team.
Please see the "DANCE" page for in-depth bios about Meagan and the rest of the WSOTA Dance Staff.
JORDAN MIXSON (Violin)
BIRTHPLACE: Jacksonville, FL
EDUCATION: BA in Music, UNF (2010)
EXPERIENCE: Performing Violin Since 1997, Teaching at WSOTA since 2007
INTERESTING FACT: I love to write my own music in my free time.
EXPERIENCE: In the music business for over 20 years, teaching Kindermusik since 2004.
INTERESTING FACT: Jennifer is the Vice President of Worship Concepts Network, Inc. She is also a Worship Leader, Songwriter and Conference Speaker.
Jennifer Bassett (KINDERMUSIK)
Jeff Reynolds (GUITAR)
JEFF REYNOLDS (Guitar)
BIRTHPLACE: Jacksonville, FL
EDUCATION: Paramedic / Firefighter
EXPERIENCE: 45 Years Performing, 20 Years Teaching
INTERESTING FACT: 18th Century History Re-Enactor, French & Indian War Period
ANNA CRISTODERO (Woodwinds)
BIRTHPLACE: Long Branch, NJ
EDUCATION: AA in Music, UNF; BA in Music Education, UNF
EXPERIENCE: Performing since 1978, Teaching since 1987
INTERESTING FACT: Started with WSOTA (then Suzuki Talent) as a student in 1986. I have known Kyle Wehner since he was eight years old.
Anna Cristodero (WOODWINDS)
Rick Benedetto (BRASS / GUITAR)
RICK BENEDETTO (Brass/Guitar)
BIRTHPLACE: Salisbury, MD
EDUCATION: Attended FSU, UNF and UCF
EXPERIENCE: Teaching since 2003. Rick was a member of the Jazz Band for Tokyo Disney and toured with the musical show "Blast." He also toured with KC and the Sunshine Band from 2006-2009 and American Idol, Fantasia Barrino from 2009-2011.
INTERESTING FACT: Tours with American Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino
DANAE CAREY (Dance)
BIRTHPLACE: Jacksonville, FL
INTERESTING FACT: I was home-schooled Kindergarten through 12th Grade.
Please see the "DANCE" page for in-depth bios about Danae and the rest of the WSOTA Dance Staff.
Danae Carey (DANCE)
Kourtney Taylor (FRONT OFFICE STAFF)
KOURTNEY TAYLOR (Office Staff)
BIRTHPLACE: Jacksonville, FL
EXPERIENCE: WSOTA employee since 2008
INTERESTING FACT: I love the outdoors. My hobbies include hunting, riding motorcycles and swimming. I've also been skydiving...scary, but exciting!
LAURA TAWNEY (Store Manager)
BIRTHPLACE: St. Paul, MN
EXPERIENCE: Wehner's Music & Dance Supply, Store Manager since 2008.
INTERESTING FACT: I have two teenage boys and have been married for 16 years. My boys are both in the school band, one on Saxophone and the other on Baritone.
Laura Tawney (SUPPLY STORE MANAGER)
JENNELLE COMISKEY (Pottery)
BIRTHPLACE: Orange Park, FL
EDUCATION: BS in Ceremic Arts from FSU; minor in music, piano at FSU
EXPERIENCE: Working with pottery since 1995, teaching ceramics and pottery since 2001.
INTERESTING FACT: The furthest I've shipped a pottery order is Bulgaria. I know Sign Language and I am in the process of earning graduate degrees in Art Education, Art Therapy and Deaf Education.
ROBERT ZIELINSKI (Violin/Fiddle)
BIRTHPLACE: Lakewood, Ohio
EDUCATION: North Carolina School of the Arts; Cleveland Institute; Interlochen Arts Academy; Suzuki Certified through East Carolina University.
EXPERIENCE: Played violin since 1975, teaching since 1992.
INTERESTING FACT: Started Suzuki violin at age of three. My car runs on vegetable oil and gets 55 miles per gallon.
Robert Zielinski (VIOLIN / FIDDLE)
Faye Tarin (GUITAR / FIDDLE)
FAYE TARIN (Guitar/Fiddle)
BIRTHPLACE: Tifton, Georgia
EDUCATION: WSOTA, 1995-1999
EXPERIENCE: Performing Since 1998, Teaching Since 2003
INTERESTING FACT: Plays Fiddle and is the lead vocal in "The Blue River Travellers," a bluegrass / gospel band, which has recorded one CD already. Also volunteers weekly to play for seniors and veterans.
Samantha Strickland (Dance)
BIRTHPLACE: Jacksonville, FL
INTERESTING FACT: I love photography!
Please see the "DANCE" page for in-depth bios about Samantha and the rest of the WSOTA Dance Staff.
Samantha Strickland (DANCE)
Clinton Weinberg (VOICE / PIANO / FLUTE / LOW BRASS)
Clinton Weinberg (Voice/Piano/Flute/Low Brass)
BIRTHPLACE: Jacksonville, FL
EDUCATION: BM Voice, UNF; Master of Worship Studies, Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
EXPERIENCE: Clint has taught in the public and private school systems of Duval and Nassau County and was the former director of music for children’s programs at Theatre Jacksonville. Clint also held a faculty position with the Jacksonville University Academy of Music where he served as voice and flute instructor. A frequent oratorio and concert soloist throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, he was a featured guest soloist with the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Orchestra at the annual Jacksonville Landing Tree Lighting in 2004. Clint is a also proud member or N.A.T.S. INTERESTING FACT: Worked as a singing server at Bravo! Ristoranté, where he performed musical theatre and jazz favorites.
