Lindy Donia Bennett has been teaching violin, fiddling, and Suzuki violin students for 16 years. She holds a BM from DePauw University and a MM from Belmont University and is an SAA registered Suzuki Violin teacher trained by Susan Kempter and Martha Shackford. Lindy is a mother of two daughters who keep her laughing and in their spare time enjoy performing as a violin trio together. Currently Lindy is the Music Director at Fort Myers Christian School.

Mary is a classically trained vocalist and is currently working full time as the Vocal Director for FAOG Creative Team and leads the Worship Choir and frontline vocal rehearsals every week. She received her music degree in Church Music at Evangel University with an emphasis in voice. She has led worship for over 25 years. Her spirit and vocal talent is a gift to all who know her. Mary is a wonderful mentor and follower of Christ and will be impactful to her students in a significant way as God uses her in this ministry.

Kassandra Cooper, a Cape Coral native, is currently attending Florida Gulf Coast University. As a senior, she will soon be completing her degree in Music Education. She has been playing the cello for ten years and the violin for eight years. We are so excited to have Kassandra on the team!

Tarrah is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a degree in Elementary Education and she has completed Suzuki teacher training for piano books 1-3 as well as Music Together training. Over her 15+ years of teaching, she taught piano group classes, early childhood mommy and me classes, and preschool music appreciation classes. Tarrah also co-directed the yearly summer music camp at the Rockford College Music Academy. She moved to Florida in 2021 and is excited to work at the CAA!

Nicholas received his Bachelors in Music from Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, where he studied under Ian Goodman and specialized in jazz drumming. He toured with the Christian group “Mike Burns Band,” and has performed for President Bush and Joyce Meyer, as well as at Disney.

Mark Kobie is trained in classical guitar and voice and has worked professionally in music ministry for many years.  Mark developed and shaped LIFE TEEN out of Saint Andrews Church in Cape Coral making a large impact on the Youth Worship team.  Currently, Mark is serving at First Assembly of God as lead guitarist and also a vocalist.  Mark is thankful to be joining the SWFL Creative Arts Academy faculty and leading the next generation.

Since childhood, Carlos has loved music, singing alongside his mother during Sunday worship and knowing he wanted to pursue it for life. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida Gulf Coast University and has served on worship teams at several churches, growing as both a musician and believer. Carlos is excited to join Southwest Florida Creative Arts Academy as a voice and piano instructor.

Erin, an Indiana native, received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Ball State University. She has a background in musical theatre, classical voice, and piano. While at Ball State she was in several operas, won a scholarship to Austria for the Mozart Festival, and placed 2nd nationally in the NATS competition. Erin has experience both being the lead for musicals and in the Voice Director role for different shows.

Daniel was classically trained at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and studied Jazz Performance. He worked under Dr. John Packard and performed in two different Jazz bands. Daniel currently also serves as one of the front line vocalists at First Assembly of God – Fort Myers.

Ian Denson is the Worship Director at First Assembly. He has had the opportunity to perform with and direct orchestras, choirs, rock bands, and worship teams. He studied piano performance and pedagogy at Florida Gulf Coast University. While there he was selected to be part of a special piano pedagogy internship. Ian has worked as a middle school choir director, an assistant choral director and accompanist at the undergraduate level, and a private music teacher for over ten years.

Nicole received her Bachelors in Music Performance from Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, where she studied under Lisa Jaklitsch Westervelt. She has performed with the Port Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, as well as other groups in the SWFL area. She has enjoyed performing at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Center, and various churches all across Florida.

Jacey has loved music from a young age, and it was clear she would make it her career. She enjoys expressing herself musically through voice and piano in both classical and contemporary settings. With years of performance experience, she is excited to teach and lead the next generation of musicians. Jacey is an exceptional role model and woman of faith. She currently serves as a worship leader, as well as an assistant Sunday School teacher and VBS director in the Children’s Department at Calvary Assembly of God in Fort Myers.