Community Music Conservatory

Jack Covell is a seasoned performer and educator with over 50 years of musical experience, in a variety of backgrounds.

As an educator, Jack has been professionally teaching since 1970. His educational experience includes public school, private school, collegiate level instruction, and private instruction. He has also served as a clinician to several educational institutions throughout Florida, a musical theater director, and an ensemble director for community programs!

As a Performer, Jack is multi-faceted! His guitar background includes experience in Jazz, Rock, classical, and bluegrass music, and he is also experienced in Bass and Mandolin. Outside of his string playing, Jack is also proficient in Woodwind Instruments, including Flute, Saxophone, and Clarinet!

Jack holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, a Master’s degree in Gifted Education, and is a member of the Florida Bandmaster’s Association.

RICK HAJDUK has had a multi-decade career as a performing musician, arranger, private instructor/ tutor, and audio recording/ F.O.H. sound engineer. Beginning at the age of seven learning to play woodwind instruments, Rick found his passion when he added the trumpet to his musical training. Since that time, his life has been interconnected with a deep commitment to music. Rick’s professional performances include Big Bands: beginning with The Woody Herman Band and continuing through the years with notable others among those being The Tommy Wills Orchestra, Eddie Howard, and The Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra. Notable performance events include the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby Governor’s Ball, the Indianapolis Jazz Festival, The Jazz Kitchen, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In addition, Rick had the staff lead trumpet position at Beef and Boards Theater in Indianapolis , while at the same time, running his own group, The Funk Quarter, which was a jazz funk improvisational collective of premier Indianapolis sidemen. He was an arranger and trumpet player for Latin groups Orquesta Bravo and Grupo Tumbao, which performed educational concerts along with the Summer Music Festival at Fountain Square in Cincinnati, Ohio. As an instructor, Rick tutored trumpet students in the Zionsville, Indiana schools for eleven years working with students from fifth through twelfth grade, along with many individual private students. He earned his Master of Arts in Music Degree at Ball State University and A Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Berklee College of Music. Rick studied with well renowned instructors including: William Adam and Dominic Spera (Indiana University), Marvin Perry (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra), Paul Everett (Muncie Indiana Symphony), Larry MacWilliams (Jazz Studies at Ball State University), John Coffey (Boston Symphony) and Ray Kotwica (Trumpet with Schubert Theater, Boston) Upon relocating to Ocala, Rick is continuing his pursuit of bringing music and trumpet playing to students of all ages so that they, too, are able to pursue their own passions for music in their lives.

Since his days in middle school, Logan has been deeply passionate about the Double Bass. This lifelong journey has been marked by countless hours of practice, performance, and continuous growth. Logan’s formative years were spent at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA, an institution that provided him with invaluable guidance and nurtured his artistic development. Complementing his time at Walnut Hill, he pursued a dual degree at the New England Conservatory of Music in downtown Boston, a transformative experience that allowed him to study under the mentorship of esteemed members of both the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. These experiences have endowed Logan with a deep understanding of the double bass and refined his abilities as a collaborative musician.In addition to his performance career, Logan has experience teaching both double bass and electric bass to students of all ages and skill levels. He brings this expertise and enthusiasm to the Reilly Arts Center, where he is excited to welcome new students and inspire the next generation of bassists. Logan is committed to helping his students develop their own passion for music, guiding them through their musical journey with personalized instruction and unwavering support.Logan has recently joined the Ocala Symphony for the 2024-2025 season, and is also a subbing bass player for The Florida Orchestra in Tampa.

Mrs. Sharilynn Horhota currently serves as the General Music Instructor at Victory Academy and has maintained a private flute studio for over 30 years. She has worked with students in Marion County middle and high schools as a woodwind clinician.

She earned her Associates in Music from Grand Rapids Junior College and studied with Darlene Dugan, nationally recognized for flute choir conducting. Mrs. Horhota earned her Bachelors in Flute Performance from Hartt School of Music, where she studied with John Wion, principal flute of the New York City Opera. She held the position of principal flute in the Hartt Wind Ensemble and the Hartt Repertory Orchestra. Mrs. Horhota participated in summer masterclasses with Julius Baker, principal flute of the New York Philharmonic, and received additional lessons from Brad Garner, former professor of flute at Julliard and The Cincinnati Conservatory. Following her graduation, she pursued further studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, where she played in the Sibelius Academy Orchestra and the Academy Repertory Orchestra. Her studies at the Sibelius Academy were under the guidance of Liisa Ruoho, an international flute soloist and pioneer instructor utilizing Alexander Technique in flute pedagogy.

Mrs. Horhota’s performance experience includes engagements with the Norwalk Symphony, Greenville Symphony, Bridgeport Cabaret Theater, First Baptist Church Orchestra, Florida Philharmonic Symphony, Ocala Civic Theater, Nature Coast Community Band, Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band, Wings of Faith Holiday Ensemble, and the Blessed Trinity Church Psalt Ensemble. She possesses a particular affinity for both Latin music and jazz, having performed with Tuna (Latin Ensemble), Groupo Fusion, and a Latin trio. Additionally, Mrs. Horhota has showcased her talents with the Silver Band (jazz big band).

Mrs. Horhota is enthusiastic about commencing her collaboration with the Community Music Conservatory, where she aims to offer a distinctive learning experience that combines proven techniques from elementary education, insights from nationally recognized performers and teachers, past performance experiences in various music genres, and her self-developed methods. She eagerly looks forward to working with students ranging from children to adults.

Mr. Aaron Janosa is the Director of Music at North Marion High School, and oversees all aspects of the music department. He directs the “Colt Stampede” Marching Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band.

Mr. Janosa received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Certificate of Music Performance from the University of Florida. He actively performed in the UF Wind Symphony and Clarinet Choir, among other ensembles, playing under the baton of such conductors as Dr. David Waybright, Thomas Leslie, Christian Schulz, and Harvey Hermann. He recorded two albums on the Mark Custom label, one as basset horn soloist on Christmas Clarinets, and one as rotating principal on Masks and Machines. He studied clarinet under Mitchell Estrin, and has participated in masterclasses with artists Stephen Williamson and Julian Bliss.

Mr. Janosa’s professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education, Florida Music Education Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, and the International Clarinet Association.

Kathryn Poore has been teaching private violin and viola lessons since 1998, and has been playing viola in professional orchestras since graduating high school in 2001 as a core member and sub. She is currently the Personnel Manager and Principal Violist of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. She has a Master of Music in Viola Performance from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Music Performance, magna cum laude, from Columbus State University. Kathryn has also attended the prestigious Aspen Music Festival and School, 2003. As an instructor, Kathryn teaches each student as an individual. Everyone learns differently, and Kathryn really enjoys structuring lessons to best meet the needs of the individual. In addition to The Music Den, Kathryn also teaches lessons at Stetson University’s Community School of Music.

Laurie Rangel has had a love of music since she was a young child. She has played piano and organ since the age of 7 and participated in band programs throughout middle and high school. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music – Piano Performance, with a minor in education, from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She later attended Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia and completed Masters’ level courses in Music Education. She also holds a Masters’ degree in Supervision and Administration from University of Phoenix.

Laurie has been an elementary music teacher in public schools for the last 18 years here in Marion County. Previously, she taught middle school chorus in public school in Maryland. In addition, she has taught private piano lessons for over 30 years and is the Organist and Choir Director at Silver Springs Shores Presbyterian Church.

Ms. Rangel is married and has 2 grown children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and attending music performances of all kinds. She enjoys teaching music to all ages and has worked with students from ages 5-80+ throughout her musical career. Her belief is that anyone can learn to make music and hopes to instill a lifelong love and appreciation for music with her students.

Cody Ray attended Fort Clarke MS and Buchholtz HS before earning degrees in instrumental performance and music theory/composition from the University of Florida. In the past he has performed with the Coastal Symphony of Georgia among others, and is currently in his 15th season as Principal Tuba of the Gainesville Pops! Wind Symphony, as well as founder of the Tree City Brass. Mr. Ray serves the Gainesville community as a low brass specialist in Alachua County schools while offering private lessons for beginning to advanced brass instruments, bass guitar, beginning guitar, preschool to elementary piano and is pleased to bring his unique and energetic style of teaching to Ocala’s Community Music Conservatory.

Larry Rosoff has taught music lessons since 1985, with a focus on music theory and how that theory can be applied to give students the tools needed to play their favorite songs. With a BA in Professional Music, obtained from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, Larry has performed in numerous original, blues, and wedding bands, and has played solo piano and vocals for many years at various venues in New York and Florida. Since moving to Ocala in 2021, Larry has continued to perform at various events at On Top of the World.

Mr. Jimmy Sexton, born in Avon Park, Florida, began his music career at an early age. He participated in middle and high school band, receiving multiple superiors at the state level. He also spent time training with Drum and Bugle Corp.

He earned his associate’s degree from the College of Central Florida and then transferred to the University of Florida to study music education. He served as a member of the Florida Drum Line. He studied under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Broadway, Dr. Jay Watkins, and Dr. Chip Birkner. During his time there, he performed various recitals as well as performances with the UF University Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Sexton has spent time over the past ten years as a Drum Technician for Forest and Vanguard High Schools, as well as Howard and Grace Middle Schools. He actively plays in the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band in Marion County. Mr. Sexton has experience offering percussion lessons to primary, middle, and high school students. He previously offered private lessons through the First Baptist Church School of Music and Grace Christian School.

When Mr. Sexton is not offering lessons, playing for the worship band at church, or participating in other various musical endeavors, he enjoy spending time with his wife and three children.

A recent arrival in Gainesville, cellist Emily Austin Smith maintains an active performing and teaching career. She completed bachelors degrees in Cello Performance and English and a Masters Degree in Cello Performance and Pedagogy at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where she studied with Alan Stepansky, former Associate Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic. Emily has recently performed with the Fayetteville Symphony and the Duke New Music Ensemble, and as a substitute with the North Carolina Symphony and Carolina Ballet. She served as both cellist and Executive Director of WireTap New Music, a group she co-founded in Durham, North Carolina.

Emily has performed in a number of orchestral and chamber music festivals across the country, including Spoleto Festival USA, Weekend of Chamber Music, Texas Music Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, ENCORE School for Strings, and the Indiana University Summer String Academy. She has worked with members of the Takacs, Emerson, Cavani, Lark, Shanghai, Juilliard, and Jupiter Quartets, and has studied with Alison Wells, Amir Eldan, Brinton Averil Smith, and Eric Kim, and participated in masterclasses with Richard Aaron, Susan Moses, Gary Hoffman, and Jeffrey Solow. During her time at the Peabody Institute and The Johns Hopkins University, Emily was the recipient of the B&O Women’s Club Award in Performance and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society.

Emily has taught students of all ages and levels in a variety of settings, and has received Suzuki teacher training from esteemed pedagogues Dr. Tanya Carey and Ronda Cole. She completed her Master of Music degree in Cello Performance and Pedagogy at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was mentored by Bai-Chi Chen of the Peabody Preparatory Institute. While in Baltimore, Emily taught in the orchestral program at the Baltimore School for the Arts and was a regular substitute teacher at OrchKids, the Baltimore Symphony’s El Sistema inspired after-school orchestra program. Emily also served as an administrator at Kidznotes, an El Sistema inspired program in the Triangle region of North Carolina.

When she is not performing, teaching, or practicing cello, Emily enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with her husband and scruffy shelter dog, Lily.

Mrs. Thompson has always had an enormous love and passion for music. She studied music theory, sight singing, ear training, music literacy, composition and performance in College. Her love of performing started at age 15 when she performed in New York City in Eric Whitacre’s production “Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings”. From there she performed in cities around America such as New Orleans, Atlanta, Tampa and Disney World in Orlando. She has also played in marching band, wind symphony, jazz band and drum corps.

Performance was her main passion until she was given the opportunity to teach private lessons in College. This job changed her heart from wanting to perform, to instead desiring to teach and inspire children with music. She has taught Middle School and High School Choir at Ambleside School of Ocala for 5 years and has taught privately for 8 years.

Mrs. Thompson offers lessons in piano, voice, clarinet and saxophone.

Theresa Weatherly attended the College of Central Florida to earn her Associates degree before transferring to the University of Florida to earn her Bachelors in music education and certificate in horn performance. During that time, Miss Weatherly studied french horn performance under the guidance of Margaret Dixon at the College of Central Florida and Paul Basler at the University of Florida. Miss Weatherly has played the French horn as her primary instrument for over a decade, and has also spent a great deal of time playing the trumpet as her secondary instrument. While earning her degree, Miss Weatherly privately tutored both beginning and advanced students on french horn, trumpet, and other instruments. Miss Weatherly has played in a broad array of ensembles, such as the CF and UF wind symphonies, jazz band, brass band, trumpet ensemble, woodwind ensemble, musical theater ensemble, and even marched with the UF Gator Band. Theresa Weatherly now acts as the primary music teacher and music director at Grace Christian School.