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(904) 276-5557

The Studio

Since 2004, North Florida Music Academy has been a proud cornerstone of the Jacksonville, Orange Park, and Middleburg communities. Our dedicated team of instructors offers high-quality private music lessons for a wide range of instruments, catering to students of nearly all ages and skill levels. Whether you're interested in Piano, Voice, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Banjo, Mandolin, Ukulele, Violin, Viola, Cello, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, or Trombone, we have the expertise to guide your musical journey.

Our student body is wonderfully diverse, including:

  • Energetic Children: Excited to embark on their musical adventure.
  • Aspiring Adults: Those who’ve always wanted to play an instrument or regret not continuing their childhood lessons.
  • Seasoned Professionals: Looking to reconnect with their musical roots or learn a new instrument.

We deeply value our community, our students, and their families, and this dedication shines through in the successes of our students. Join us at North Florida Music Academy, where we nurture talent and inspire a lifelong love of music.

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Meet the Instructors

Glynda Smith

Studio Director & Instructor
Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello
Glynda Smith, our esteemed studio director, has been a pillar in the music community for over 35 years, specializing in piano, violin, viola, and cello instruction. "It's been my pleasure to prepare students for recitals, auditions, and performances at prestigious venues like LaVilla, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, and the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra," says Glynda. Her extensive experience includes teaching preschool music classes for a decade, leading keyboard classes for teens and adults, and serving as the first violinist in a premier Jacksonville orchestra. "Teaching music to all ages and levels remains a deeply rewarding career," she adds.

  • Favorite Composer: Bach
  • Additional Hobbies: Attending Concerts

Jennifer Goodwin

Instructor
Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Piano
Jennifer Goodwin is a vibrant member of the Orange Park music community, excelling as both an instructor and performer. Originally from Tennessee, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Sacred Music degree with honors from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. With over 15 years of experience teaching woodwind instruments and piano, Jennifer also enjoys performing in hand bell ensembles, women's ensembles, and her church orchestra. Her dedication has helped countless students succeed in FBA Solo and Ensemble, auditions, and both marching and concert bands.

  • Favorite Composer: John Williams
  • Additional Hobbies: Needle Crafts and Quilting

Chris Buck

Instructor
Drums, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Banjo
Chris Buck has been nurturing musical talent in the Jacksonville area for over 20 years. A passionate historian, Chris integrates music history and genre evolution into his lessons, providing students with a well-rounded musical education. An active musician in the community, Chris has performed with numerous professionals and bands. His students often go on to perform in bands, attend arts schools, and participate in jazz and concert bands.

  • Additional Hobbies: Comedian & Swing Dancer

Shaun Bennett

Instructor
French Horn, Trumpet, Piano, Percussion, Composition
Shaun Bennet graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in music theory and composition from Jacksonville University, where he studied composition, French horn, piano, and world percussion. Shaun’s diverse studies included a semester at the New Zealand School of Music, focusing on ethnomusicology, composition, and Maori music. He has performed with the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, the Saint Augustine Orchestra, the First Coast Pops Orchestra, and the Sterling Brass Quintet. Shaun is currently the full-time music teacher at Callahan Elementary, where he teaches K-5 music and leads an after-school chorus and steel drum program. He's been the president of the Duval County Elementary Music Teachers Association and a member of several prestigious music educator organizations.

Janice Reid

Instructor
Piano, Vocal
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