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.

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Joellen Fletcher (band instruments)

My name is Joellen (sounds like Joe-Ellen) and I teach band and orchestral instruments as well as teaching general music studies. I graduated from Kent State with a degree in Instrumental Music Education in 2010 and have worked at FireFly since March of 2011. I specialize in Saxophone and Clarinet but I can play literally every instrument to at least a high school level; because eventually I will become a band or orchestra director for a public school district. I love seeing my young students progress each week as they are all eager to learn more about music and their instruments. I’m a very cheerful and colorful person so I like to make my lessons as fun as possible so the students have a lasting memory of things I have taught them as they continue their musicianship down the road in their lives.

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Dan Porter (piano)

I began taking piano lessons at six and continued through high school where I was active in the school’s instrumental ensembles. While at Akron U, I played keyboards for a band that had recently released an album (now in the Local Artists section of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) and was opening for some well known musical acts of that time. That part of my career lasted for seventeen years and involved touring and recording as well other projects including radio commercials and video soundtracks. I’ve had the honor and privilege of sharing the stage and studio with a number of immensely talented people and continue to grow, both professionally and personally I currently work in sales for a satellite radio company, teach at Firefly, am active on my church Worship Team, play on radio commercials/video soundtracks, and occasionally perform live outside of church. I take the responsibility of teaching my students seriously, regardless of their goal musically, and hope that when the practice becomes laborious, it will be a labor of love as it has been for me (usually).

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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!

Here’s a few clips of Joe and Jeremy’s Gypsy Guitar project!

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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!

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Chris Coles (sax and clarinet)

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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Ruth Chapman (piano, guitar, and bagpipes)

Although I’ve only been at Firefly since September of 2010, I have enjoyed teaching and playing music for most of my life. When I was 8, I picked up the challenge of learning the bagpipes, and began playing them competitively. I have had the opportunity to play for churches, families, and special need camps throughout my musical career. Somewhere in the mix, I also picked up the guitar and piano. I use those instruments in leading worship and hope to continue doing that the rest of my life. Teaching is such a joy for me and I get excited thinking about where each student will go in their musical journey. I am also a student at the University of Akron hoping to pursue an education for occupational therapy with a minor in music.

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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!

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Kristen Kametz (voice)

I am a recent graduate of the University of Akron where I received my B. A. in Music. My primary instrument is voice. I love teaching, especially at Firefly, because it offers a ” no pressure” environment for students to discover their musical abilities.In my free time I sing with the Summit Choral Society’s Master Works Chorale, where I sing in the Soprano section.

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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!

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Reita Louis (piano and voice)

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:-)

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Angela Ulrich (administration)

I’m a receptionist/secretary here at Firefly and while I haven’t been behind the desk for too long, I’ve been taking lessons at Firefly Music School for around 10 years. I really love it here, not only because of the great teachers and music but because of the wonderful atmosphere as well. Aside from playing piano, flute and guitar, I also really love to dance: ballet, point, modern, and whatever other style I can pick up some moves from . I must say, though, the real focus of my life is my relationship with Jesus, and it’s in Him I find the strength and determination to do whatever it is I’m doing.

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Hannah Shaffer (administration)

Hi! I am a receptionist at Firefly. I am doing post secondary at the University of Akron this year. I would like to go to college and become a teacher for elementary students when I get out of high school. I love listening to almost any kind of music. A few of my favorite bands include Tobymac, Chris Tomlin and Francesca Battistelli. I danced for eight years when I was younger and now I ride horses. I love horses and I have an adorable three-year-old pony. My dream is to move to Colorado one day and own a huge horse ranch.

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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 (right), 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