Get to know our piano instructors! Scroll down to read each instructor’s background and biography, and choose the teacher that best fits you and your needs.
“I have a passion for bringing out the best in my students and making instrument learning an exciting and enjoyable experience.”
My love of music started by learning the violin at the age of 5 in Daytona Beach, FL. Inspired by my grandfather, an avid violinist, I played in orchestras throughout middle and high school. In my teens, I developed a keen interest in the piano and taught myself how to play by ear. I went on to study classical piano under the tutelage of Dr. Frank Contreras and Wendy Bramhall at Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL, and earned a B.A. in Piano Performance in 2006. While in college, I played and performed in many venues and also developed an affinity for teaching others. After graduation, I returned to Sanford, FL and continued my music career by playing and directing music at several Central Florida churches and teaching private piano lessons. Over the years, I have played with the Seminole State College Jazz and Gospel ensembles. I am also part of a touring band which has been featured at several local events with keynote speakers such as Condaleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, and Channel 9 news anchor Vanessa Echols. I have taught music at the Pre-K, elementary and Junior High
levels and have taught private piano lessons for 15+ years to students from ages 4-80. In addition to the violin and keyboard instruments, I also play acoustic and electric guitar. I have a passion for bringing out the best in my students and making instrument learning an exciting and enjoyable experience. I look forward to being part of the Mindful Music Center team.
Teaching Stats:
- Over 23 years of classical piano training.
- Over 20 years of jazz piano training
- Taught over 100 piano students
- Degree in classical piano performance with training in church music liturgy
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
Desirae Salas
Owner of MMC
Piano and Voice
Instructor
“My greatest desire has become to share with my students the musical passion that I have been so fortunate to experience, while facilitating their overall growth and development.”
My passion for music was awakened when I first began receiving classical piano lessons at age five. My love of music and desire to create and learn continuously grew as I achieved my Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University. It was there that I also realized my passion for teaching! After completing my bachelor’s degree, I enjoyed two years of teaching pre-k through middle school music, elementary choir, and percussion ensemble as the music teacher at Summit Christian School, while also giving private piano and voice lessons. Although I loved teaching music to typical students, I began to realize that the need for music education went much deeper. So, I decided to continue my path in the field of education by obtaining a Master of Education degree in Exceptional Student Education at the University of Central Florida (2014). It was through my classes and internships at UCF, but most of all my experiences as a classroom teacher for students with autism, that I began to more fully understand the important role that music plays in the lives of all children — especially children with autism and other related disabilities. Now my greatest desire has become to share with students, with and without disabilities, the musical passion that I have been so fortunate to experience, while facilitating their growth and development not only musically, but physically, socially, emotionally, and academically as well.
Teaching Stats:
20+ Years of classical piano training
15 Years of classical voice training
Over 75 voice/piano students
Certified in Music Education and Exceptional Student Education
Certified in Early Childhood Development
Specializes with students with Autism and Down Syndrome.
“I found my love for teaching through choir, and my passion to teach my students music grows every day.”
I can’t remember a time in my life without music. I have been singing since I could talk and playing piano for over 10 years now. I studied at Jacksonville University in Choral Music Education and I am currently at the University of Central Florida for my master’s degree in Music Education. I found my love for teaching through choir and my passion to teach my students about music grows every day. I have been teaching piano and voice lessons for a little over two years now.
*Experience teaching neurodivergent students.
“I believe music can have a place in every person’s life, and it is my goal as a teacher to help everyone find a place for it in theirs.”
I’ve loved singing and have been fascinated by the piano for as long as I can remember. What started with a toy piano and made-up songs has blossomed into my passion for life. After a couple of years of bargaining with my parents, I started piano lessons when I was 11 for my birthday and added voice lessons a couple of years later, just before high school. When it came time for college, I had no doubt that I wanted to study music full time and I chose Voice as my primary instrument. After graduating with my Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance at the University of Central Florida, I get to be a music teacher for voice and piano and I love it! Although not every child will go on to music school as I did, I believe music can have a place in every person’s life, and it is my goal as a teacher to help everyone find a place for it in theirs. As a teacher, one of my highest goals is to foster a positive and healthy relationship between my students and their music so that they can enjoy all of the wonderful benefits it has to offer. I also aim to teach each student a solid background of fundamental music concepts, so that they can have the tools to explore anything in music that they wish throughout their life. I have been teaching for almost two years now and I can’t wait to continue my journey as a teacher at Mindful Music Center!