Instructors
Musicology offers various types of music lessons and workshops taught by some of Tampa bay’s finest musicians and instructors.
Peter Mongaya Hogsholm, Guitarist
Guitar Instructor and Owner of Musicology
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Mesmerized by the strange but uniquely beautiful sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Peter Mongaya Hogsholm picked up the guitar at the age of 14.
Peter is one of Tampa Bay’s most demand teachers and guitarists. As a native of Denmark, Peter attended Sankt Annae Gymnasium (a prominent fine arts and music high school in Copenhagen, Denmark). His musical palette was prepared for different styles of music such as funk, fusion, world music and jazz. Upon graduation Peter resided a half year in Manila, Philippines, where he played with Sony/BMI recording artists Kulay and jamming with South Border, a popular Philippine R&B group. Further studies include: Jazz Akademiet, Copenhagen and The Players School of Music, Clearwater.
Private studies with: Charlie Banacos, Ed Byrne, Mike Stern, Edward ‘Spanky’ Alford, Jeff Berlin, Tower of Power guitarist Jeff Tamelier, and Fareed Haque. Masterclasses with: Joe Pass, Steve Masakowski, Robben Ford, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Vic Juris, Randy Johnston, Pat Martino, Eddie Gomez, Ingrid Jensen, and Larry Coryell.
Peter has played guitar and toured with/for Rick Derringer, Frank McComb, Chuck Loeb, Jeff Kashiwa (Rippingtons), Richard Elliott, Cindy Bradley, Brian Simpson, Joey Sommerville, Joe Piscopo (from SNL),Walter Beasley, Alex Bugnon, Eric Darius, Four80 East, Paul Taylor, Shilts (Down To the Bone), Marcus Anderson, Jack Wilkins, Nils, Chuck Owen, BK Jackson, Euge Groove, Warren Hill, Due Voci(The music of Dianne Warren on HSN), Mike MacArthur Group, Shawn Brown, Leonard Jones, CeCe Teneal, Gospel artists: Melinda Watts, Marvin Sapp, Durwane Davis (Sunday’s Best, BET), John Wilds and Bobby Roman. Currently, when Peter isn’t pickin’ and grinnin’, he is the head of the guitar department at world renowned bass virtuoso Jeff Berlin’s Players School of Music, and is the proud owner of Musicology, a music school which goal is to ‘empower the musician within‘.
Pat Close, Drums
Drum Instructor
Pro drummer and teacher Pat Close resides in Clearwater, Florida. With 40 years teaching experience Pat is dedicated to sharing his vast knowledge of all drumming styles and techniques through his playing, teaching, and soon to be released instructional DVD ”Fast Hands For Drummers” which is guaranteed to help the beginner, advanced and pro drummers gain the ultimate in hand speed, control, endurance and flawless technique. Pat will also be releasing his solo CD entitled ”Rhythms Of My Soul” which highlights his true drumming abilities!
Lora Stoycheva, Pianist
Lora Stoycheva is an expert piano teacher with 27 years of experience. She was born in Bulgaria, started her piano studies at the age of 7, performed first in public when she was 8, participated in numerous venues and graduated with a diploma from the Bourgas Music High School. Lora continued her higher education at the Plovdiv Music Academy, where she developed her musical abilities in classical and contemporary piano, orchestra and choir. She also attained solid pedagogical skills and graduated with a Masters Degree in Piano Pedagogy in 1985. She spent 15 years at the Music High School in Bourgas, teaching students from 5st to 12th grade. During that time Lora perfected her pedagogical skills as a piano teacher, leading her students to success and becoming an accomplished musician and pedagogue. As an assistant principal with the Music High School she was also instrumental in the development of new musical education programs. Lora also completed her 2 year postgraduate studies at Sofia University in the Institute of Higher Teacher Education.
After moving to the United States Lora started working at Musicology in Clearwater, FL in 2007, as well as Piano Lessons in Your Home, Inc in 2008. Here she is working with students at all levels. Lora’s broad music repertoire and ability to teach many different piano methods allow her to adapt every lesson to the individual student, teaching theory, technique and performance. Lora also graduated in Pedagogy I and II with Christie Chiles Twillie in Chicago, specializing in students from the age of 5 through 14. Lora’s students have participated in 6 recitals at La Grande Hall Piano Gallery and at the Steinway Music Gallery in Clearwater. Lora’s knowledge and skills as a piano teacher and results oriented approach as a pedagogue are helping her students achieve their high performance and creativity goals.
Violin, Viola instructorDawn Cunningham, Violinist
Musicology’s violin and viola teacher! Dawn is passionate about teaching.
She is on a mission to help people express themselves musically. Dawn currently plays with the Tampa Bay Symphony orchestra.
Education
Venice High School. Venice, FL. String Orchestra (violin, viola, composition). Graduated in 2000.
Florida West Coast Youth Orchestra. Principal violist 1998-2000. Sarasota, FL.
Rollins College Hamilton Holt School. Winter Park, FL. Bachelor of Arts (Music Major- Viola Performance)
Awarded multiple awards and scholarships. Graduated in 2006.
Principal’s List, Fall 2004
Outstanding String Performer Award at Rollins College 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Nelson Music Scholarship, Spring 2002
Muncey Music Scholarship, Fall 2004
Quantrell Music Scholarship, Spring 2004
Carlos Music Scholarship, Fall 2003
University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL. Community orchestra member and Principal violinist 2005-2006.
East Carolina University (ECU) Greenville, North Carolina. 2008-2009. Study: Suzuki Pedagogy (strings)
Ben Plott, Guitar
Guitar Instructor
Benjamin D. Plott is a guitar instructor at Musicology in Clearwater, Fl. He was born in Santiago, Chile and grew up in Peoria, IL, where he started playing guitar at the age of 12. The first time he played at the Dunlap high school Battle of the Bands he was hooked, the band rehearsed for months prior to the show and then performed well! When Ben turned 18 he moved to Moscow, Idaho to study classical guitar at the University of Idaho. He was there from 2000 to 2002, after which he moved to Memphis TN with his band Undecided Jones. They were fairly successful in Memphis till the members of the band went in many different directions, and he decided to move to Florida. Upon arriving in Clearwater Ben has joined a number of local cover bands and formed my his original band The Trio! In 2005 he enrolled at the Players School of Music, and had his first introduction to jazz! He completed their 2 year certificate program in 2007, and has been playing and teaching full time ever since!
Michelle Sund, Voice
Voice Instructor
