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.
Mr. Jacob Patrick - PIANO
My name is Jacob Patrick, and I received my training at the University of South Florida in the Piano Performance area. I have been playing since 7 years old, after watching my older siblings take lessons, and have been hooked ever since. My main area of focus is in classical music, and I also enjoy teaching and exploring many styles of music! I have also played keyboard in the church music setting since high school. The piano has been a source of inspiration and joy in my life, which I hope to bring out in my students!
Things I like:
Building a new LEGO set!
Playing disc golf/ultimate frisbee with friends.
Cooking with my girlfriend!
Things I don’t like:
Olives.
Morgan Wallen!
Inflation.
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!)
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!)
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
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