Carrie Clarke is attending The University of South Florida as a graduate student, working
toward a Master of Music in Composition degree. Concurrently, she teaches private piano
lessons to students of all ages. She holds degrees in music from The University of Tampa
(2013, Magna Cum Laude) and Hillsborough Community College (2011). Passionate about
teaching music, she returned to HCC and attended the Educator Preparation Institute to
receive the certification to teach Music K-12 in Florida. Since then, she taught Elementary
Music (Grades 1 thru 5) in the Hillsborough County Public Schools.

Carrie received the University of Tampa Music Technology and Composition Award for her compositions, “Along the Gaviota Coast” and “Brass Quintet No.1.” Carrie is a member of the Music Teachers National Association.

Carrie was raised in Buffalo, NY, where she graduated from City Honors High School
(1979) with a New York State Regents Diploma as well as an Academic Music Diploma.
She enjoyed performing in several musicals in school and in the community (Art Park in
Lewiston NY) and singing in several choirs.

Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Matthew Heger is currently pursuing a Music Education Degree at the University of South Florida. He is completing his degree while interning as a Music Teacher and Band Director with two schools in Hillsborough County. Matthew is a talented instructor, who teaches piano, voice, and clarinet. During his time at USF, Matthew has been a member of the Symphonic Band, Clarinet Ensemble, and Chamber Singers, studying under esteemed directors such as Dr. Tina DiMeglio, Prof. Calvin Falwell, Dr. Asher Carlson, and Prof. Allyssa Jones.

Matthew’s community involvement includes playing with the Hillsborough Community College Band “Fanfare Concert Winds” and the Concert Chorus. He has also performed in the Musical Pit Orchestra for the production of “Carousel” and participated in the award-winning “Hurricane of Harmony” group at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Mid-Winter Convention held at the Grand Ole Opry in 2019. His early musical education included piano lessons with Betty Carrico, Rachel Fraser, and Renee Pendry while living in Pennsylvania and Illinois, where he also played both the piano and organ at church.

As a dedicated member of the National Association for Music Education, Florida Band Association, Florida Vocal Association, and Barbershop Harmony Society, Matthew is committed to fostering a love for music in his students. He has been recognized for his excellence with awards such as the “Semper Fidelis” Award for Musical Excellence by the United States Marines Youth Foundation and the Marine Corps League, as well as two Director’s Awards. In his free time, Matthew enjoys cooking, swimming, catching up on Disney movies and musical theater, spending time with friends, and traveling to visit family in Philadelphia and Dublin, Ireland.

Matthew is also a Rooted in Music administrator, assisting with scheduling and client inquiries.

Originally from North Carolina, Mason Kistler is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance at the University of South Florida. He has spent the past two years as a private music teacher, working with students of all ages, and also has experience leading summer camps and organizing group learning. Primarily a piano player, Mason has studied classical piano for the past eight years, but began as a clarinet player while in middle school and has also learned many other instruments. Mason composes and arranges music, working on multiple projects for his own enjoyment or for other commissions. In his spare time he loves to watch Star Wars, play video games, and even has a gaming YouTube channel. Mason keeps busy, but playing music is his passion!

Born and raised in Tampa, Ellianna Estrada graduated with honors from both Howard W. Blake High School for the Performing Arts studying piano and viola, and HCC with an Associates in the Arts majoring in piano, voice, and guitar. She is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology at the University of South Florida. Ellianna has been working as a private music teacher since 2020 teaching lessons on nine different instruments, with students ages three to thirty years old, and creating special arrangements for her individual students and groups on many instruments. Ellianna has been a member of many ensembles including the HCC Guitar Ensemble, HCC Chorus, and the Florida Philharmonia Orchestra in Lakeland. She has been studying classical piano for sixteen years, violin for twelve years, and guitar for nine years. She has recently started entering students in the National Piano Guild auditions, the Royal Conservatory of Music adjudications, and the National Federation of Music Clubs’ Festival with many of these students receiving top honors. She has devoted her life to music and loves to share the joy she finds in it. She enjoys instilling a great appreciation of all types of music in her students while also using music as a vehicle to teach valuable life skills. In her free time, Ellianna loves to bake, play dungeons and dragons, and attend open mics.

Born in Maryland and raised in Clearwater, Florida, Amanda Coleman is a dedicated music educator passionate about fostering creativity and musical growth in students of all ages. Specializing in voice, piano, and string techniques, she brings extensive experience from her roles as a teacher, intern, and performer. Amanda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Music Education at the University of South Florida, where she has refined her skills in vocal techniques, piano, songwriting, and performance.

As a Music Intern at the Patel Conservatory, Amanda led sectionals during the Choral Intensive Camp and provided individualized feedback to aspiring singer-songwriters. She also co-taught an 8-week Steelpan course at USF, introducing students to the instrument through apps like GarageBand and DrumsXD. 

As a classically trained soprano, Amanda has performed arias from Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Così fan tutte, as well as Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore. Recognized for her achievements, Amanda won the 2024 Music Category in Robbie’s Hall of Personal Expression Contest and was honored as a Lady in Film and Entertainment at the Sunshine City Film Festival (2024). She also received the Virginia Bridges Award for Excellence in Music Education in 2023. When not practicing or doing homework assignments, Amanda enjoys roller skating and baking sweet treats! 

Alexander Shaneyfelt is a first-generation American pianist raised in Texas. He is currently pursuing an associate degree in Piano Performance at Hillsborough Community College, with plans to further his music education. Alexander trained under Judith Cataldo at the Musical Arts Piano Conservatory in Tampa, where he earned a high school diploma in piano performance with high honors, awarded by the National Piano Guild. Specializing in classical piano, he is also an accomplished improviser, and composer for solo piano, orchestra, and chamber groups. He composes in both his free time and for larger projects; his work has been featured in short films, indie games, and live performances. Outside of music, Alexander enjoys language learning, literature, strength training, and film.