Meet the School of Music Instructors

Rosaura Acampora (formerly Harrison) has taught violin and viola in the School of Music since 2006.  She began her career with the Orchestra Sinfonica Juvenil de Costa Rica, Conservatory of Music. She studied with the prestigious Alexander Prilutchi, distinguished pupil of Carl Flesch. She was awarded the Young Soloist Award from the National Symphony of Costa Rica at the age of 13. She has received numerous scholarships including: United Nations Interlochen (MI) Scholarship, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Scholarship, Florida International University. She has performed with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Lake Symphony Orchestra, and Lake Chamber Orchestra. Past performances include a Presidential concert at the White House and a Dignitary concert at the United Nations. She is currently the Concert Master for the Villages Community Philharmonic and Ocala Chamber Orchestra.
 
In 2007 Rosa was a guest violinist for the Pianistic Festival di Carrara in Italy. In 2008 she began a new orchestra, The Ocala Chamber Orchestra.

Rosa has her Associate of Arts degree in Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Performing Arts from Florida International University.  She is currently Adjunct Professor at College of Central Florida.

Erica Piferrer started playing violin at the age of seven.  She studied for five years in the Florida West Coast Symphony Youth program in Sarasota, FL.  For four years she played in the Alachua County Youth Orchestra in Gainesville, FL.  She also played in the Villages Community Philharmonic Orchestra for four yeasr.  In 2010, Erica was a recipient of the Harold Schwartz Music Scholarship from the Villages Opera Club.  She is a member of the Florida Schola Cantorum.  Erica graduated in 2011 with an Associates of Arts degree from CF.  She began teaching at the school of Music in August of 2009. 

Martie Ansorge has a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Voice and Flute from Kennesaw State University in Marietta, Georgia.  She has taught private lessons for over 35 years and has been with the School of Music and Peforming Arts since the fall of 1999.  Martie teaches all levels of instruction for flute and voice, beginning to intermediate instruction for piano and beginner instruction for band instruments.  She is a native of the Atlanta, Georgia area, moving to Ocala in 1981.  Before coming to the School of Music, Martie was the Minister of Music and Youth at Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church, later teaching music at First Assembly Christian School, where she started the band and choral programs.  Also, she has played flute and piccolo with the former Central Florida Symphony Orchestra (now Ocala Symphony Orchestra) and the Central Florida Philharmonic Orchestra.  Martie is a member of Music Teachers National Association.  She enjoys playing and singing for special occasions.

Beth Menendez began teaching piano at the School of Music in the Fall of 2006.  She has a Bachelor's Degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Elementary Education and Early Childhood.  Her college music courses included private piano, and she has enjoyed singing in choirs and ensembles.  Beth also plays the flute and performed with a flute trio for several years.  She is an experienced classroom teacher, including music instruction.  She is also a church volunteer, having worked in the areas of music, youth and children for over 25 years.  First Baptist Ocala is her home church.

Kathy Coleman has a Bachelor of Science in music education from Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Missouri (Baptist School), and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.  She has been a Music Specialist at Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts since 1997.  Kathy is a National Board Certified teacher in Early and Middle Childhood Music.  She belongs to the Florida Music Educators Association and the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association.  She has her Level 1 & 2 ORFF certification.  Kathy has taught piano for over 30 years and is First Baptist Church's pianist.  Kathy has been teaching in the School of Music off and on since 1997.

Mike Whitaker began teaching beginner and intermediate guitar and mandolin at the School of Music in the Fall of 2006.  He has been playing the guitar (acoustic and electric) since 1998 and the mandolin since 2003.  Prior to teaching in the School of Music he taught guitar privately.  Mike has been in numerous bands playing from heavy rock to folk music.  Mike is Para-Profressional at Ft King Middle School and is part of the worship team at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church.

David Ripple has been the Contemporary Worship Leader at First Baptist since Jaunary 2009 and started teach guitar in the School of Music in March 2009.  He was born and raised in Dunnellon, FL.

Micki Woods began teaching piano at the age of 16.  She took college level piano courses while earning her degree in Accounting.  Micki is a former music teacher at Redeemer Christian School.  She has been active in the music ministries of local churches as church pianist accompanying choirs, soloists and instrumentalists.  She teaches classical and sacred piano.  She is the wife of Billy Woods and mom to Lindsay, Taylor, Riley and Delaney.
  

Jeff Eekhoff started teaching guitar and piano for FBC's School of Music in August 2012.  He has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI.  Jeff has worked as a music teacher and as a worship leader. He has been teaching private lessons since 2004.  Jeff is currently the worship director at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church.

Kara Billig has a Bachelor of Arts in Church Music from The Baptist College of Florida. She is a local church pianist and began playing keyboard at age 16 for a local church. She has taught Kindergarten and 2nd grade at an Ocala Elementary School. She is the wife of Michael Billig and mother to Mary, Leia, David, and Jonathan. Kara began teaching piano for FBC's school of music in August 2012.

Marcell Estep started teaching drum lessons for FBC's School of Music in November 2012.  He is part of a praise and worship band in a local church and a fire fighter.

Lauren Wilson has resided in Dunnellon Florida for over 13 years. Lauren is currently in her sophomore year at the College of Central Florida majoring in Music Education. Lauren has been playing and performing music since she was a child.  Lauren joined the team of music instructors at FBC Ocala's School of Music in the spring 2013 teaching piano and violin.

Lauren was singing at the age of 3, and began learning the violin at the age of 5.  She has performed for weddings, funerals, nursing homes and other special occasions.  She has been a member of several orchestras; these include The Ocala Youth Symphony and The Villages Community Philharmonic Orchestra.  She was a special guest of The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Violin Virtuoso Joshua Bell.  Lauren knew early in her music training that she had a gift for teaching; she loves sharing her love of music to others and knowing she is contributing to another's happiness.  Lauren began teaching 5 years ago, and has had much experience with different learning styles and ages.  Her students range from 80's to under 10 years old.  Lauren believes that anyone can learn!  Concurrently, Lauren has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in February of 2013.  Lauren is an accomplished musician who not only loves music, but also wants to inspire others for many generations to come.