Ramblin Rhodes Music proudly introduces our teachers.
Joe Rhodes
Joe Rhodes is one of the owners and says, "I waited fifty years to open a music store. Maybe now I'll find out what I want to be when I grow up!" Joe attended University School in Nashville, Tennessee where he learned vocals, trumpet, and guitar. He had his first band that did paying gigs at ten years old, and started teaching guitar when he was fifteen. He attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, studying English and Psychology and taking music theory courses, classical music appreciation, and worked in various bands. After getting married he worked in Nashville's recording studios as a hired guitar gun, playing and recording music with Emmylou Harris and others. He toured the U.S. with rock, gospel, blues, and country bands and taught High School English and Music.
In Florida Joe managed piano and organ stores for twenty years, did Florida concerts with Diane Semonski of the Lawrence Welk Show, and helped raise his three children. He looks forward to the new challenge of making a successful music school, performance center and retail store.
Jason Rhodes
Jason Rhodes is one of the owners. When he was a little boy he grew up helping his dad in Tennessee recording studios, sometimes falling asleep behind the mixing board. He learned guitar and drums, playing in the marching band at East Lake High School in Pinellas County. He attended U.S.F. and eventually landed a job in the music industry where he worked in retail for twelve years. Jason teaches drums and keyboards and also has an extensive background in teaching and playing organ. He is married and has four children to keep him busy when he's not working at Ramblin Rhodes Music.
Jason's warm personality and humor make him a favorite with parents and children. His extensive training and sound knowledge of music make him an excellent teacher and savvy businessman.
Laurene Rhodes
Laurene grew up with a love of the arts. She attended Germaine School of Photography in New York City and has done extensive photographic projects. She was smart enough to marry a music man, (Joe Rhodes), and quickly became immersed in the world of performing and recording, doing publicity photos for the various bands.
Cristine Rhodes
Surrounded by music as a child, Cristine's journey in music began when she was four years old with piano and voice lessons. When she was ten she added clarinet to her music repertoire and for the next several years played with her school marching band. Eventually switching from piano to organ she worked in retail stores teaching, selling, and managing for fifteen years. Cristine feels she has found her passion in music and teaching.
She is the mother of three children and has seen firsthand how even very young children respond to music. She home-schooled her children for five years in all their subjects. That experience plus her musical background have inspired Cristine to create a music curriculum for two to five year old children. The Ramblin Rascals has been a success in our music school from the beginning.
Shawna Horvath
Born with a love for music Shawna began her muscial exposure at the age of four in the University of Minnesota's Musical Trolley program, now known as the McPhail Center for Music, and hasn't looked back since. With voice & piano as her passion she began her classical piano training at the age of 6, with Maria Rantapaa, and joined the children's choir at the University of Minnesota at seven years old.
Her High school years were filled with musicals, choirs, and singing in Seven-A-Side, an A Cappella group in Canada. She was awarded a full scholarship to Skirringsaal Folkehoyskole in Norway in 1984.
"I think my strength teaching younger children lies in the realization that each child learns differently. Adapting lessons to cater to the way the child learns really helps them to grow & understand the world of music more quickly thus giving them a sense of accomplishment & enjoyment".
Jason Solanes
Jason Solanes began learning guitar at the age of 13, taking lessons from a nun at a Catholic school. A year later, he began teaching the class in place of the original teacher. Over the years that followed, he learned many styles of music including country, blues, folk, classic rock, and metal. He graduated from Jesuit High School and is currently attending USF seeking a bachelor's degree in physics. He has been playing local concerts for 4 years and continues playing with bands of many styles. He is currently recording a solo album consisting mainly of blues and folk. His influences consist of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Rick Derringer, Frank Zappa, John Hiatt and his loving Aunt Wanda.
Chelsea Miller
Born into a family of 9 children, Chelsea Miller started learning piano at 6 years old. Two years later she began taking violin lessons in addition to her piano which helped her progress rapidly. Chelsea was home schooled most of her life which allowed her time to devote herself to her musical studies. At the age of 11 she became a street performer in San Francisco, CA. At the age of 15 she began playing in adult orchestras by request. Chelsea studied under Elan Chalford for several years and began teaching violin lessons at the age of 16. She plays with her own bluegrass/folk band, The Maggie Valley Band, as well as studio recording, weddings, & other events. Chelsea teaches the Suzuki method of violin and so she plays all types of music from classical to bluegrass.
Sharon Braman
Bodie Alsip
Alex Llauget
Mikki Behner
Bob Jones
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