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. Josh Evans - PIANO
My name is Joshua Evans. I am completing a music education major at the University of South Florida. My main instrument of study is jazz piano, but I love teaching many styles of music including pop, ragtime, Christian, blues, and more. Piano is one of my passions in life and I’m so glad to have the opportunity to teach it to others.
Things I like:
Superhero movies/shows. Batman is my favorite Superhero.
Going to amusement parks and riding rollercoasters.
Making lasting relationships with people.
Anything with Barbecue sauce on it. Even fruit!
Things I don’t like:
Tall water slides. I have a fear of slipping off the side and falling.
Pineapples on pizza.
Being in cold weather. I am a Floridian to the core.
Mrs. Sarah Avriett - PIANO
My name is Sarah Avriett and I have over 18 years of experience teaching piano. One of my favorite memories growing up was my parents surprising me with a new acoustic piano in our living room on my 10th birthday. Best gift ever! I’ve been addicted to playing piano from the moment I started lessons all those years ago, and I love watching my students develop a love for playing this amazing instrument just like I did.
My husband Trent and I have four awesome kids: Micah, Elise, Ethan and Claire, a cat named Mister and a dog named Keke.
Things I like:
Houseplants
Any kind of cheesecake
Reading Mystery Novels
Things I don’t like:
Seafood
Hallmark movies
Folding laundry
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 started playing piano when I was 16 years old and I started playing guitar when I was 11 years old. 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!)
Miss Gabriella Alberece - PIANO
My name is Gabriella Alberece and I am an ecomonics student at the University of South Florida! I’m from Homosassa, a small Floridian town of nature and community. Music is a huge part of my life and I have taken lessons and played the piano for over 10 years. I love being a part of the worship team at my church! Playing piano has brought so much joy to my life and many opportunities, and I’m love sharing this passion with my students!
Things I like:
Pickleball
Re-reading books and re-watching movies
Quality time with my family and friends
Things I don’t like:
Smelly blankets
Empty air fresheners
Long walks with heavy bags! :)
Mr. Ethan Eckhard - PIANO, DRUMS
My name is Ethan Eckhard and I graduated from the University of Colorado-Denver with a bachelors in Music Business and studied jazz performance on drums at University of Denver. With a decade of experience on the piano, I've honed my skills in jazz, blues, pop, and church music. To me, music is a lifelong passion and a means of creative expression. Whether it's through teaching, composing, or performing, I'm dedicated to fostering a love for music and helping individuals discover their unique musical voice.
Things I like:
Making music with friends
Video Games
My cat, Meow Meow
Things I don’t like:
Frogs
Mosquitoes
Waiting in lines
Ms. Daniela Calicchia - PIANO
My name is Daniela Calicchia. My whole life has involved music since I first started in a piano academy at age 5. My journey took different paths from starting with classical, getting my bachelor in Music Production and then getting my Master in Music Education. My main instrument is piano, though I own many others such as guitar and ukulele. I enjoy listening to any kind of music and seeing the impact of it in film or games. I love sharing this excitement for music with my students!
Things I like:
Dogs ! I have two and I’m also a dog trainer
Love to travel
TV Shows
Cooking! I come from an Italian family where the cooking never stops!
Things I don’t like:
Cold weather is not my thing!
Crazy city life
Crumbl Cookies
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!
Mr. Stone Gill - PIANO, VOICE, DRUMS
My name is Stone Gill and I’m a student at University of South Florida’s Contemporary Commercial Music program! I’m a vocalist who is also very passionate about piano and drums! I’m so excited be able to share that passion with others!
Things I like:
Songwriting
Going on a long run
Sushi!!
Things I don’t like:
Heights! (I’m holding on for dear life everytime I’m in a plane!)
Washing dishes
Mondays… :)
2023 Spring Recital Teacher Trio