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Hello
Welcome
Hi! My name is Daphne Dawson. Music is my passion. My mission is to help all of my students find their passion!
About my Studio
My Background
I have a Bachelor's Degree in music from Florida Southern College and over 25 years of teaching experience. I am a third generation Matthay student with training in highly skilled techniques that can help you become an artist at the piano. I am an avid performer with both my church choir and in the Volusia Community Symphony. As an instructor, advancing my own performing skills is key to being a good teacher.
Sharing my Passion
I am a strong believer that everyone should be able to have a life of music. That's why I studied to became a teacher. Whether you're a just a beginner or an advanced student needing guidance, let's explore music together.
My Classes
I offer both group and private lessons, both in-person and virtual. I work with each student to develop a personalized plan for lessons including theory, technique, improv, and performance.
My Students
I work with students of all ages and levels, from preschool to adult. I teach beginners as well as advanced pianists and can prepare students for college auditions. I also work with many students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, processing disorders, and autism. I am also a provider for the Gardiner scholarship.
Our Teachers
Sharla Mercado
Sharla provides superior piano lessons for students at the studio. Sharla has a BM in piano performance from Stetson and a MM from Conservatory at UMKC. She has a minor in voice and organ from Stetson. Sharla has served as an officer for the Volusia County Music Teachers Association for many years and takes an active role in performing throughout the community.
Iris Lancaster
Mrs. Iris is an exciting addition to our teaching staff and will be teaching piano. Iris is a degreed instructor with a Bachelors Degree in secondary education with a music education focus from Crown College in Tennessee. She has taught music for over 10 years. She has been an accompanist since she was in middle school, accompanying choirs, soloists, and ensembles.
Isabelle Jagers
Isabelle is 18 years old and has lived in DeLand for 11 years. She is in her senior year of high school and will be attending Southeastern University, working towards a music education degree. She has been taking private piano lessons for about 10 years. Isabelle is excited to meet the young pianists and teach beginning and preschool piano.
Sims Kline
Sims Kline, an Orlando native, has extensive experience playing the piano in restaurants, retirement centers, churches, and other venues in Volusia county. He studied piano with Iris Daniel Engel and Don Sellers and has performed frequently with jazz bands and vocalists. Sims coaches students on basic methods of playing popular songs, emphasizing the chord approach and improvisation. He served as Reference Librarian and Director of the Stetson University Library.
Joe Gilabert
Joe is our awesome guitar instructor. Joe is a graduate of both Musicians Institute and of Berkeley College of Music. He has been a guitar teacher and performer for many years. He will be bringing classical theory and technique as well as popular repertoire to every student!
Samuel Aldana
Samuel Aldana, a student in music performance at Stetson University, has been passionately pursuing the violin for 14 years. He began his musical journey at the Doral Conservatory Academy and later at the MusicAll Youth Orchestra, the South Florida Youth Symphony and the Doral Symphony Orchestra. His hard work has taken him to different stages worldwide, including the Giovanelli Festival in Italy, the Summa Cum Laude competition at Vienna’s Musikverein, and Carnegie Hall as part of the Honors Performance Series in 2022 and 2023. Most recently, he participated in the Killington Music Festival in Vermont in 2024. Aspiring to become a soloist, orchestral musician, and college professor, Samuel is dedicated to advancing his artistry and achieving excellence in his musical career.
Noah Andreason
Noah Andreason is a music performance student at Stetson University, who has played the trumpet for over 10 years. His musical ambitions began in fourth grade in his elementary school band, and this early exposure to music led to his current career path. He has played in his school bands, taken lessons with top-notch musicians, performed in churches and other local events, and received many accolades. He was selected for six consecutive years (2018-2023) to play in the Volusia All County Band and for four years to play in the Florida All State Band (2019-2022). Most recently, Noah has been a 2-year recipient of the Ryan Anthony Memorial International Trumpet Guild Scholarship for Students (2024 and 2025). Noah is a passionate musician who not only seeks to achieve musical excellence, but also to use music as a vehicle to inspire people to connect with music and with one another. Noah strives to create a friendly and welcoming environment for his students so that he can help them connect to the world of music.