About Cynthia
Early Musical Training & Education
Cynthia’s lifelong dedication to music began at the age of nine when she started piano lessons in Yorktown, Virginia. Her passion for music continued throughout her childhood and adolescence, leading her to pursue advanced musical studies and a lifetime devoted to performance, education, and service through music.
Cynthia was accepted into the School of Music at East Carolina University, where she studied Piano Performance/Pedagogy, completing extensive coursework in keyboard technique, music theory, piano pedagogy, and classical repertoire. She also completed a minor in Organ Performance, developing skills in organ literature, hymn playing, and liturgical accompaniment that continue to support her work in church music ministry.
During her undergraduate studies, Cynthia had the privilege of studying advanced classical piano repertoire with the distinguished and world-renowned piano professor Dr. Henry Doskey.
Her studies in piano pedagogy were further enriched through her work with E. Gregory Nagode. His coursework focused on mentoring students in the Frances Clark Music Tree intervallic curriculum as a pedagogical approach for beginning students, which revolutionized music education. Through his guidance, Cynthia developed a strong understanding of sequential learning, effective teaching strategies, and the importance of building a comprehensive musical foundation for students of all ages.
Professional Piano Teaching Career
After graduating from East Carolina University, Cynthia returned to Yorktown, Virginia, where she established a private piano studio. Through her dedication to excellence and individualized instruction, her studio quickly became one of the most sought-after piano studios in the area.
In 1991, Cynthia relocated to Tampa, Florida, where she established her South Tampa piano studio. For more than three decades, she has taught students ranging in age from four years old through adulthood. Cynthia has extensive experience introducing young children to music through age-appropriate instruction while also guiding intermediate and advanced students toward higher levels of musical achievement. Her students have included beginning musicians, recreational pianists, adult learners, and advanced students pursuing challenging classical repertoire. Some have gone on to earn degrees in music.
Cynthia’s teaching emphasizes traditional classical piano study, keyboard technique, music theory, musicianship, sight-reading, ear training, and expressive performance. She believes that a strong technical and musical foundation enables students to develop confidence, artistry, and a lifelong enjoyment of music.
Over the years, she has had the privilege of helping students prepare for recitals, evaluations, auditions, church performances, and personal musical goals. Her greatest reward as a teacher is witnessing students grow not only as musicians, but also in discipline, confidence, and self-expression.
Graduate Studies & Higher Education
Committed to continued professional growth, Cynthia returned to school in 1998 to pursue a master’s degree in music with concentrations in Performance and Pedagogy.
During her graduate studies, she expanded her musical knowledge through study with respected educators and performers, including Averill Summer, founder of Tampa Bay’s Children’s Chorus and wife of Robert Summer, founder of the Master Chorale, as well as Chadd Merrigan and Sang-Hee Lee. These experiences further strengthened her performance skills, teaching philosophy, and dedication to musical excellence.
In addition to her work as a private music educator, Cynthia served as an Adjunct Professor of Humanities at Strayer University Global Campus from 2006 to 2016. Teaching adult learners in a collegiate environment broadened her experience as an educator and mentor, allowing her to inspire students through interdisciplinary studies, critical thinking, cultural understanding, and lifelong learning.
Church Music Ministry
In addition to her private teaching career, Cynthia has had an extensive ministry in church music spanning many years. She has served as a Music Director, Cantor, accompanist, organist, and collaborative musician for Protestant and Catholic congregations in North Carolina, Virginia, and throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Her ministry positions have included leadership roles in a variety of church settings, where she has been responsible for liturgical planning, directing music ministries, accompanying choirs and soloists, and preparing sacred music for worship services and special liturgical celebrations.
Currently, Cynthia serves as Music Director and Cantor at Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. In this role, she leads the parish music ministry through liturgical planning, accompaniment, vocal leadership, and the preparation of sacred music that enhances worship and fosters congregational participation.
Her background in piano performance, organ studies, choral collaboration, and worship leadership allows her to bring both musical excellence and spiritual sensitivity to her ministry.
Leadership & Community Involvement
Beyond teaching and performing, Cynthia has remained actively involved in the musical community through leadership, adjudication, and service.
She has served as a piano adjudicator for student evaluations, providing encouragement and constructive feedback to young musicians as they develop their skills and confidence. She is a past Junior President of Friday Morning Musicale, where she supported educational and performance opportunities for young musicians.
Cynthia also served as Co-Chair of the Bay Ridge Federation Evaluations and has worked extensively as an accompanist for students participating in band and orchestra Solo and Ensemble Festivals. These experiences reflect her ongoing commitment to supporting music education and encouraging the next generation of performers.
Teaching Philosophy & Studio Approach
Cynthia’s studio is built on the belief that every student possesses distinct musical potential that can be developed through expert guidance, structure, and long-term artistic mentorship. Her teaching integrates rigorous technical training, musicianship, and expressive artistry within a disciplined yet encouraging environment.
Instruction is highly individualized. Each lesson is carefully tailored to the student’s age, goals, and level of advancement—whether introducing foundational skills to a young beginner, supporting an adult returning to piano study, or refining the artistry of an advanced pianist. The focus is always on building a strong technical foundation while cultivating musical depth, confidence, and interpretive expression.
A defining feature of Cynthia’s studio is its emphasis on continuity and long-term development. As an established educator with decades of experience in the same community, she provides consistent, uninterrupted instruction that allows students to progress with clarity and direction over time. This stability fosters a rare level of trust, depth, and refinement in the teacher-student relationship.
Students benefit from sustained mentorship in which the teacher develops an in-depth understanding of each student’s strengths, challenges, and artistic potential. This continuity allows for more precise instruction and more meaningful musical growth, which is not always possible in environments with frequent teacher turnover.
Student success is also supported by a committed home environment. Consistent practice and parental engagement are essential to maintaining momentum and achieving long-term results. When teacher, student, and family work in partnership, progress becomes more focused, efficient, and rewarding.
Families can expect a high level of professionalism, clear communication, and a studio culture centered on excellence, consistency, and artistic growth. Lessons are designed not only to develop pianistic skill, but also to cultivate discipline, focus, and artistic maturity.
With advanced training in piano and organ performance and decades of pedagogical experience, Cynthia offers a depth of instruction grounded in both artistry and educational expertise.
At its core, this studio represents a commitment to excellence and enduring musical development—offering students not simply piano lessons, but a sustained artistic journey marked by refinement, achievement, and a lifelong appreciation of music.
Cynthia’s lifelong dedication to music began at the age of nine when she started piano lessons in Yorktown, Virginia. Her passion for music continued throughout her childhood and adolescence, leading her to pursue advanced musical studies and a lifetime devoted to performance, education, and service through music.
Cynthia was accepted into the School of Music at East Carolina University, where she studied Piano Performance/Pedagogy, completing extensive coursework in keyboard technique, music theory, piano pedagogy, and classical repertoire. She also completed a minor in Organ Performance, developing skills in organ literature, hymn playing, and liturgical accompaniment that continue to support her work in church music ministry.
During her undergraduate studies, Cynthia had the privilege of studying advanced classical piano repertoire with the distinguished and world-renowned piano professor Dr. Henry Doskey.
Her studies in piano pedagogy were further enriched through her work with E. Gregory Nagode. His coursework focused on mentoring students in the Frances Clark Music Tree intervallic curriculum as a pedagogical approach for beginning students, which revolutionized music education. Through his guidance, Cynthia developed a strong understanding of sequential learning, effective teaching strategies, and the importance of building a comprehensive musical foundation for students of all ages.
Professional Piano Teaching Career
After graduating from East Carolina University, Cynthia returned to Yorktown, Virginia, where she established a private piano studio. Through her dedication to excellence and individualized instruction, her studio quickly became one of the most sought-after piano studios in the area.
In 1991, Cynthia relocated to Tampa, Florida, where she established her South Tampa piano studio. For more than three decades, she has taught students ranging in age from four years old through adulthood. Cynthia has extensive experience introducing young children to music through age-appropriate instruction while also guiding intermediate and advanced students toward higher levels of musical achievement. Her students have included beginning musicians, recreational pianists, adult learners, and advanced students pursuing challenging classical repertoire. Some have gone on to earn degrees in music.
Cynthia’s teaching emphasizes traditional classical piano study, keyboard technique, music theory, musicianship, sight-reading, ear training, and expressive performance. She believes that a strong technical and musical foundation enables students to develop confidence, artistry, and a lifelong enjoyment of music.
Over the years, she has had the privilege of helping students prepare for recitals, evaluations, auditions, church performances, and personal musical goals. Her greatest reward as a teacher is witnessing students grow not only as musicians, but also in discipline, confidence, and self-expression.
Graduate Studies & Higher Education
Committed to continued professional growth, Cynthia returned to school in 1998 to pursue a master’s degree in music with concentrations in Performance and Pedagogy.
During her graduate studies, she expanded her musical knowledge through study with respected educators and performers, including Averill Summer, founder of Tampa Bay’s Children’s Chorus and wife of Robert Summer, founder of the Master Chorale, as well as Chadd Merrigan and Sang-Hee Lee. These experiences further strengthened her performance skills, teaching philosophy, and dedication to musical excellence.
In addition to her work as a private music educator, Cynthia served as an Adjunct Professor of Humanities at Strayer University Global Campus from 2006 to 2016. Teaching adult learners in a collegiate environment broadened her experience as an educator and mentor, allowing her to inspire students through interdisciplinary studies, critical thinking, cultural understanding, and lifelong learning.
Church Music Ministry
In addition to her private teaching career, Cynthia has had an extensive ministry in church music spanning many years. She has served as a Music Director, Cantor, accompanist, organist, and collaborative musician for Protestant and Catholic congregations in North Carolina, Virginia, and throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Her ministry positions have included leadership roles in a variety of church settings, where she has been responsible for liturgical planning, directing music ministries, accompanying choirs and soloists, and preparing sacred music for worship services and special liturgical celebrations.
Currently, Cynthia serves as Music Director and Cantor at Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. In this role, she leads the parish music ministry through liturgical planning, accompaniment, vocal leadership, and the preparation of sacred music that enhances worship and fosters congregational participation.
Her background in piano performance, organ studies, choral collaboration, and worship leadership allows her to bring both musical excellence and spiritual sensitivity to her ministry.
Leadership & Community Involvement
Beyond teaching and performing, Cynthia has remained actively involved in the musical community through leadership, adjudication, and service.
She has served as a piano adjudicator for student evaluations, providing encouragement and constructive feedback to young musicians as they develop their skills and confidence. She is a past Junior President of Friday Morning Musicale, where she supported educational and performance opportunities for young musicians.
Cynthia also served as Co-Chair of the Bay Ridge Federation Evaluations and has worked extensively as an accompanist for students participating in band and orchestra Solo and Ensemble Festivals. These experiences reflect her ongoing commitment to supporting music education and encouraging the next generation of performers.
Teaching Philosophy & Studio Approach
Cynthia’s studio is built on the belief that every student possesses distinct musical potential that can be developed through expert guidance, structure, and long-term artistic mentorship. Her teaching integrates rigorous technical training, musicianship, and expressive artistry within a disciplined yet encouraging environment.
Instruction is highly individualized. Each lesson is carefully tailored to the student’s age, goals, and level of advancement—whether introducing foundational skills to a young beginner, supporting an adult returning to piano study, or refining the artistry of an advanced pianist. The focus is always on building a strong technical foundation while cultivating musical depth, confidence, and interpretive expression.
A defining feature of Cynthia’s studio is its emphasis on continuity and long-term development. As an established educator with decades of experience in the same community, she provides consistent, uninterrupted instruction that allows students to progress with clarity and direction over time. This stability fosters a rare level of trust, depth, and refinement in the teacher-student relationship.
Students benefit from sustained mentorship in which the teacher develops an in-depth understanding of each student’s strengths, challenges, and artistic potential. This continuity allows for more precise instruction and more meaningful musical growth, which is not always possible in environments with frequent teacher turnover.
Student success is also supported by a committed home environment. Consistent practice and parental engagement are essential to maintaining momentum and achieving long-term results. When teacher, student, and family work in partnership, progress becomes more focused, efficient, and rewarding.
Families can expect a high level of professionalism, clear communication, and a studio culture centered on excellence, consistency, and artistic growth. Lessons are designed not only to develop pianistic skill, but also to cultivate discipline, focus, and artistic maturity.
With advanced training in piano and organ performance and decades of pedagogical experience, Cynthia offers a depth of instruction grounded in both artistry and educational expertise.
At its core, this studio represents a commitment to excellence and enduring musical development—offering students not simply piano lessons, but a sustained artistic journey marked by refinement, achievement, and a lifelong appreciation of music.
Professional Organization Membership
- The American Organist Guild (2000 – 2004)
- The National Music Teachers Association Virginia (1984 – 1989), Florida (2000-Present)
- The National Guild of Piano Teachers (1985 – Present)
- The Friday Morning Musicale (1993 – Present)
- The National Federation of Music Clubs; Virginia (1984 – 1991) Tampa (1992-Present)
Professional Associations
Florida State Music Teachers Association
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Nationally Certified Teacher of Music
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Florida State Certified Teacher of Music
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National Guild of Piano Teachers
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National Federation of Music Clubs
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