Lesson Academy @ Markee

Lou began playing guitar at the age of 12 and started performing professionally while still in high school. In 1990, he was hired as the General Manager of F Sharp Music in Coral Springs, and a year later, he became their head teacher. In 1996, Lou opened A Major Music/Coral Springs Music, and in 1997, he founded the Floyd Experience, a Pink Floyd tribute band.

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A Major Music/Coral Springs Music operated for 20 years, becoming a community staple and providing a safe, family-oriented environment where children could learn and grow. Lou’s teaching methods combine music theory with performance, allowing students to learn by playing the songs they enjoy. He offers instruction from beginning to advanced levels, covering scale and chord theory, improvisation, technique, ear training, and live performance training.

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Since 2007, Lou has been running a Youth Rock Band, fostering friendship, musical interest, and a strong work ethic in young musicians. He teaches electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and bass guitar, covering most styles and genres.

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Larry brings 30 years of teaching experience, guiding students from beginner to advanced levels. As a third-generation piano instructor, Larry's musical journey began at the age of 3, and he now boasts over 35 years of performance and recording experience. In the late 1970s, he studied Jazz piano and advanced theory under recording artist Wally Cirillo and received classical training from Victor De Deigo at the University of Miami.

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Larry's career as a studio session player includes recording credits with RCA, BMG, and several independent labels. He is known for his excellent sense of counterpoint, fingering, improvisation, theory, and reading techniques. Currently, Larry actively performs with bands such as 49 Ford, Wild Eyed Cats, Forever After More, and YOLO.

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A.k.a. “Diane the Piano Teacher”

Diane has taught beginning, intermediate and advanced piano at Markee Studios since 2014. She has worked with students of all ages -- children, teens, and young adults -- on learning to read piano music, Classical techniques and artistry, learning to play from a rock chord chart, and mastering a few jazz tunes. Mentors students and encourages them to find their own voice on the piano.​

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Todd began his drumming journey at the age of 9, playing his first drum set alongside his older brother on guitar. Their first song was "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen. Throughout middle school, Todd continued to develop his skills, participating in various facets of drumming and percussion, including concert percussion and jazz ensembles that performed live frequently.

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In high school, Todd immersed himself in all areas of music, including marching band, jazz ensemble, and symphonic orchestra, all of which competed at a national level. He mastered a wide range of percussion instruments and became proficient in multiple instruments within the drum battery section during the marching season.

After graduating high school, Todd joined the Florida Wave Drum and Bugle Corps, marching on snare drum during the summers and touring across the US, performing in around 50 competitions. He spent two years with the organization and simultaneously taught marching percussion to various high schools in South Florida, propelling his drumming to a professional level.

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During his college years, Todd took numerous music classes to refine his skills for teaching. He also performed with a variety of professional groups across multiple musical genres.

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With 32 years of teaching experience, Todd has been instructing students from beginner to professional levels and has been a dedicated instructor at the studio for the past two years. He looks forward to helping future drummers reach their full potential.

Fred Pereira is a professional drummer and an incredible musician, who is well known within the international community from working with artists and bands from all over the country.

He has recorded, toured, and performed as a drummer with numerous artists and acts of all different genres such as; Cowboy Troy (Rap), Protocol (Jazz Band), Paulo Gualano (Brazilian Carnaval), Mitch Herrick (Rock), Bonn E Maiy (Country), Switchfoot (Alternative/Rock), Five Iron Frenzy (Ska Punk) and Sugar Ray (Rock) - just to name a few! Working with these artists gave him the opportunity to perform at live events like 99.9 Kiss Country Chili Cook Off and Riptide Music Festival. 

Fred is very passionate about his art and is ready to teach you any genre from rock to jazz!

Marko Ruffolo has been an Independent Recording Engineer and Producer for over 30 Years.

Although Rock (Classic, AOR, Punk, Metal, HardCore, Metal-Core) is his preferred Genre, Marko’s main body of work has been in Jazz, Smooth-Jazz, and Pop-Latin.

In addition to being creative behind the board, Marko enjoys playing Bass, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, and Programming on the various artists whose Projects he has worked on. He also plays Bass (and at times Guitar) for the San Isidro Anglo Music-Ministry.

Marko has the first published Pro Tools course called Pro Tools Up-N-Running.