Jeremy Jones (electric and acoustic guitar)

I’ve been teaching guitar and bass at Firefly for several years. I’m currently finishing up a Classical Guitar Performance degree at Akron University. Being a teacher at Firefly has made me realize that I am a drummer trapped in a guitar player’s body who played piano in a previous life and plays bass in an 80′s hair metal cover band in a parallel dimension! I really do enjoy helping students through the struggle of trying to learn to play, and experiencing the joy of seeing them finally “get it.” As far as listening to music goes, I pretty much like everything. As far as playing, I enjoy jazz and blues. I also enjoy hiking on local trails and spend a lot of time enjoying my son Augustyn. I like Firefly because it’s a very open and non-intimidating environment.

Carolyn Tobia (viloin and viola)

I’m Carolyn and I teach violin and viola at Firefly. I’m a third year student at Akron University pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. I love to play the violin and have even had the chance to play at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Lucas Foss. I’m also the youngest member to ever be inducted into the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra. I love to see my students smile as they overcome challenges and lock onto concepts. In my spare time I enjoy ice skating, swimming, knitting, and hanging out with my friends. I like Mediterranean foods and eventually want to visit Europe!

Tim Koborie (piano, guitar, and bass)

I arrived at Firefly via the most indirect path an individual could take: playing music, mixing/recording music, teaching music, CAD drafting then sound engineering, now I’m back to what I love and what I should’ve never gone away from…teaching and performing music! I started keyboards at 4, picked up the guitar at 15, was coerced into learning bass guitar at 38 and am a novice on just about every band instruments due to my former life as a music specialist in public & private schools. My musical tastes are all over the map (with the exception of most jazz, rap, and old country) but a great tune is a great tune regardless of genre. I do hold a special place in my heart for Progressive rock, ’80′s metal, New (Old) Wave, and Debussy. Why do I teach? Well, I’ve learned that if you ever want to find out just how well you really know something, then teach it. You’ll discover that your students will ask questions you’d never even thought of and learn from more angles than you could’ve ever imagined. In short, the best way to get better yourself is to teach others. When I’m not parked on a piano bench or playing with my family (Eileen, Shannon & Trevor… I love you guys!) I can be found working on/playing with classic cars (got a ’63 corvair convertible & ’70 Charger hotrod). Oh yeah, golf, tennis, and X-country skiing are up there too. As far as places to visit and favorite foods, I’d have to say (in no particular order); Scotland, Austria, Czech Republic (come on, Prague baby!), and pumpkin pie (if there was a land of pumpkin pie I would be there like yesterday).

Lauren Frattin (flute)

I teach flute at Firefly. I get such a kick out of seeing confidence grow in my students as they learn to play. In my spare time I enjoy skiing, painting, drawing, cross-stitching, and lately I’ve been getting into jazz. Someday I’d like to visit Australia because the culture seems really cool, and I do love potato chips, all kinds; they’re all good!

Joe Terrett (electric and acoustic guitar)

I’m a Jazz Studies Major at Akron University. I like jazz, bluegrass, even some metal. I really enjoy working with kids; they’re fun! In my spare time I enjoy mountain biking on trails, reading, and traveling. I would like to see pretty much all of Europe, and I think sauerkraut is good on just about anything!

Alexis Futrell (piano)

I teach piano here at Firefly. Although I am a Biology major at the University of Akron, I love to play the piano and love to teach it! I taught at Firefly for 2 years beginning in 2005 before getting married. I took a short break and lived in Missouri where my husband finished his degree. Just 2 days after graduating, we had our first son who is now 1 1/2 yrs old! We moved back to Ohio, and in July of this year, we had our second little “bonus to life”, a little girl! With two little ones at home I stay pretty busy, but when there is free time, I love to run or just spend time with a friend or the fam! My favorite place to travel to is the beach (where my husband and I got married!), and my favorite food is currently anything my mom cooks, especially chocolate chip cookies!

Jennifer Murphy (drums)

I teach drums/percussion at Firefly (and yes, I am a girl!). I’ve been playing drums for over 7 years. I was thrown onto my church worship band after my first year when one of our drummers stepped down and I’ve been playing there ever since. I’m trained in Latin, Jazz, a little funk, and (of course) Rock. I can also read and write drum music. I’ve been a dancer (Ballet, Modern, and recently Pointe) for about 12 years, where I was a ballet instructor for about 4 years. I am majoring in Fashion Design at Kent State University.

Chris Herald (woodwinds)

Hailing from Mansfield, Ohio, Christopher Herald holds his BM in Saxophone Performance from the University of Akron. Having been trained in both classical and jazz idioms, as well as being an accomplished woodwind doubler on flute and clarinet, Herald calls jazz improvisation his specialty. He has been awarded several distinctions, including an “Outstanding Soloist Award” at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in Chicago, winner of the Hank Marr Competition in Columbus, Ohio. Herald has performed across the United States, as well as internationally in Austria and Peru, wherein the latter he was a soloist with the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra. Herald has also been a featured soloist at the University of Akron, where he has been a featured soloist with the university’s orchestra and concert choir.

Kelley Fann (trumpet)

I teach trumpet at Firefly. I’ve studied trumpet at Akron University with Doug Huey, as well as private and independent study. I like classical, jazz, funk, punk, anything that makes me feel something! One of the things I love about teaching is how it challenges me to think about how and why I play the way I do, and it’s exciting when my students really “get” what I’m teaching. I also play bass in an all-girl punk band and play the cello in an eight-cello ensemble. I want to visit the whole world, and one of my favorite comfort foods is a peanut butter and pickle sandwhich

Elliot Wallace (drums)

Hello! I teach drums at Firefly. I am a senior at the University of Akron majoring in Percussion Performance. My life ambition is to be a highly active musician, performer and educator. I am highly devoted to my studies, which gives me perspective on the value of music education. I love teaching and the excitement and challenges that come with adapting to different learning styles, as well as the satisfaction of helping students obtain their goals. When I am not being active with music, I enjoy riding my bike, slapstick comedy (preferably live), and engaging in lengthy debates on just about any topic. I also like homemade pizza.

Bobbi Horvath (violin and fiddle)

I teach violin and fiddle at Firefly and love spreading the joy of music! I enjoy Scottish Fiddle, American Contra Dance, and Gypsy. I play locally with a celtic rock band called “The Mickeys” and a Scottish dance band called “Next in Line.” I enjoy gardening and furniture refinishing. The next place I’d like to visit is Spain, and I really like Vietnamese food!

Will Rawdon (guitars)

Hi, I’m Will. I teach guitar and bass at Firefly, I have been playing the two for about seven years and have been involved in music for twelve. Teaching is very fun and i love helping kids grow to appreciate music like I do. My favorite kinds of music are Blues, Metal, Classical, and Jazz Funk Fusion. When I’m not at Firefly I work construction in the summer and attend the University of Akron in the Fall, Winter, and Spring, where I major in Construction Engineering Technology. Well, there is a little bit about myself. Hope to see you soon!

Steve Miller (piano)

I teach piano at Firefly and I love spreading the word about music! I’m a junior year Jazz Studies major at Akron University. I enjoy Classical and Jazz and my favorite composers are Stravinsky and Chopin. Jazz artists… Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock! I like playing, listening to, and writing music. I hope to eventually visit Germany and check out the jazz scene there. And, if you must know, I like ketchup sandwiches.

Holbrook Riles (drums)

I’m a fourth year Percussion Performance Major at Akron University. Eventually I’d like to perform out on the road, do some studio work, do some arranging and composing, recording and so on. I love the fact that through teaching you can share the tradition of music and pass it down to others. When I’m not doing percussion I enjoy drawing, singing, and acting. Eventually I’d like to study music in cultures abroad in places like Trinidad, Brazil, Australia, and Jamaica. And I love grilled Alaskan salmon!

Egan Ammerman (electric and acoustic guitar and piano)

My degree is in Composition and Performance from Columbia College in Chicago. I like helping other people have fun learning music, and teaching helps keep me sharp. I play locally with my trio “Operations” at The Nervous Dog Cafe, The Wolf Creek Winery, Northside, and other places. I like jazz, funk, fusion, and latin music. Hobbies would be reading, working out, travel… I want to visit Braqzil someday. And, when I was much younger, I did enjoy eating ice cream with pepperoni on it!

Reita Louis (piano)

I’ve been teaching music most of my life and have a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Master’s in Piano Performance. I’ve lived here in Highland Square for over 30 years. My main hobby is stamp collecting, ever since my father got me interested way back in the 20th century. Some of my musical favorites are: Billy Joel, Mozart, Thelonius Monk, Johnny Mercer, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, the Clash, Jack White, and Ringo. My goal as a teacher is to help each student develop skills that they will enjoy all their lives. My favorite place to visit is Savannah, GA, and my favorite food is pretty much whatever somebody else will cook and clean up after:-)

Sarah Reichenbach (administration)

I work in the office at Firefly. I’m currently attending Kent State University majoring in Integrated Social Studies Education. I love listening to music of all kinds! Some of my favorites are Anberlin, Tim Hughes, and Keith Urban. When I’m not working or doing school, I enjoy reading, quality time with friends and coffee! Someday I hope to visit Greece and Paris and my favorite food is my Papa’s Greek lemon soup!

Steve Earl (piano, guitar, administration)

Music is such a gift to all of us. I teach piano and guitar, and work in the office. Above is a shot of Sarah and I in lessons, and me and my daughter Bethany when she came to work one day! I love to visit upstate New York, and love spaghetti.
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Firefly Music School
806 West Market Street
Akron, OH 44303