BEREAN's AFTER SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM
Berean Academy offers the highest possible level of private music instruction. Our music faculty fosters a strong, well-rounded understanding of music while nurturing the gifts that God has given each student. All our after-school music faculty are highly accomplished musicians and performers on their instruments. Each performs regularly with various groups in the greater west Florida area. Lessons will be provided on campus in the upper school wing of the building. Parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from all lessons. If you have questions email Rich Van Voorst at richardvanvoorst@gmail.com.
Berean students may pursue private instruction with these teachers:
 DAN HARRISON / Guitar, Classical Guitar, Jazz Guitar
Check back for Dan's bio.
 EMILY GAIL HOWELL / Voice & Jazz Voice, Musical Theatre
Emily earned a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of South Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Theater minor from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has enjoyed teaching private voice and acting lessons for ten years, as well as teaching in schools ranging from preschool to the college level. Emily Gail has directed stage productions and continues to actively perform in the Tampa Bay area. She has been a member of the Master Chorale for seven years and has performed in Opera Tampa productions. She loves singing jazz and swing music with local and visiting musicians. Emily Gail is thankful for the opportunity to share her joy in a God honoring environment. Her teaching style emphasizes healthy singing habits which lay the foundation for any music genre.
 DANIEL JOINER / Classical & Jazz Piano
Daniel is a graduate student at the University of South Florida. While working as a graduate assistant at USF, he is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies in Piano Performance. While attending high school in DeLand Florida, he studied jazz and classical piano with Harold Blanchard. Daniel continued to study classical piano with Dr. Michael Rickman at Stetson University, where he received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. While at Stetson, he received several awards, including first prize in the Wednesday Music Club Competition, the Peggy Cassel Scholarship Award, and Runner Up in the Stetson University Concerto Competition. After graduation, he served as the Director of Music for Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church. In addition to his involvement in music ministry, he accompanied music students at Stetson and performed extensively with his jazz trio. In 2007 they released a CD, “The Daniel Joiner Trio: A Different Standard.” Daniel also served as an adjunct faculty member at Stetson, teaching aural training and functional keyboard. Daniel and his wife, Danielle, currently reside in Lutz Florida.
 DANIELLE JOINER / Classical Flute & Piano
Danielle's goal as a music educator is to instill an appreciation for music, a gift of God to enjoy and use for His glory. She is a fun-loving teacher who is serious about cultivating a love for music in children and adults. Danielle attended Stetson University, where she studied piano with Dr. Michael Rickman and flute with Dr. Jean West. During her years at Stetson, she played in the Stetson University Orchestra and Band, and was a member of the Florida Flute Association as well as Sigma Alpha Iota. After graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano and Flute Performance with an outside emphasis in Psychology and a minor in Spanish, Danielle moved to Port Orange where she began her teaching career. She worked as a Montessori Pre-school assistant and taught piano and flute lessons. Danielle is now working at Adams Pianos and teaches piano and flute lessons at The Center, located at Idlewild Baptist Church. She plays the flute during weekly worship and is a part of the church’s flute choir. She is now an active member of MTNA and will be a judge for a local music teacher’s association this February. Danielle often performs with her husband, Daniel Joiner.
 SARAH MINGLE / Classical Piano
Sarah is a teaching assistant at the University of South Florida School of Music where she is pursuing her Master of Music in Piano Performance. She is a student of Svetozar Ivanov. Sarah received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance summa cum laude from the Greatbatch School of Music at Houghton College (Houghton, New York), where she studied with William John Newbrough. In addition to her activities as a frequent solo performer, Sarah works as a collaborative pianist and private piano instructor. She also serves as the accompanist for the Tampa Bay Children’s Chorus. Sarah performed with the Central Florida Orchestra as the winner of the 2007 Young Artists Competition. Recent awards include the Jacques Abram Music Scholarship and the Theodore Presser Foundation Scholarship. Sarah was also selected to the Music Honor Society Pi Kappa Lambda, Zeta Omicron Chapter, and to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.
JOHN THOMAS / Drums & Jazz Drums
Check back for John's bio.
 RICHARD VAN VOORST / Saxophone, Jazz Saxophone, Jazz Improvisation
Richard is Director of the Berean After School Music Program. He is an instructor and teaching assistant at the University of South Florida where he is finishing a Master of Music in Jazz Composition and Jazz Performance. He received his B.M. from Hope College in Holland, Michigan where he was awarded the Distinguished Artist Scholarship. An active saxophonist and composer/arranger primarily in the Tampa Bay area, Rich has performed all over the United States as well as in Europe, where he performed at the Vienne, Montreux, and North Sea Jazz Festivals. He has accompanied and recorded with such artists as Richard Davis, Jack Wilkins, Steve Davis, Jim McNeely, “Blue” Lou Marini, Chris Vidala, The Dan McMillian Jazz Orchestra, and The Don Juceum Orchestra. Rich also directs and performs with his own groups, The Mars Trio, The Van Voorst Jazz Quartet, and The Forefront regularly. As a composer, Rich studied under renowned composer Chuck Owen at USF and has experience writing for big bands, various jazz combos, orchestras, choirs, worship ensembles, as well as other chamber groups. In 2006, he was selected by the Center for Jazz Composition at USF to arrange a piece for Karrin Allison for the Jazz Masterworks Series. In his spare time, Rich enjoys gourmet cooking, good conversation over a fresh cup of coffee and spending time with his wife. For more on Rich go to his website at VanVoorstMusic.com.
 MATTHEW WENGER / Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Jazz Bass
Matthew Wengerd is a Graduate Student and professional bassist based in Lakeland, FL. He is presently pursuing his Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies at the University of South Florida. He has served as principle bassist for two orchestras and has served in various jazz ensembles, and rock bands since picking up the bass in 1995. He has taught orchestra in the Polk County School District as well as at Southeastern University in Lakeland. Presently, he is focused on finishing his degree and performing with the Matthew Wengerd Trio and an as-yet-unnamed quintet based at the university. Find out more about Matthew at MatthewWengerd.net.
The goal of glorifying God spares Christian artists...
from either overvaluing or undervaluing their artistic experiences.
- Leland Ryken |
