Monday, November 21, 2016






Playground Music Center

Guitar Instructor

Justin Rogers






Justin Rogers is a devoted musician. Upon graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2004, he moved to the Florida Panhandle where he performs over 250 shows a year with numerous acts, including Black Eyed Blonde, Mojiles, Schofield, The Dog Spankin Monkeys, The Playground Big Band, Hot Lava, TMJ Lockjaw, The B-Sides, Grape Drink, as well as many side projects and other smaller groups. When asked what style of music he specializes in, he says… EVERYTHING. He began playing the piano at 4, and once he picked up the guitar at 13, his life took a turn for the better. He performs jazz gigs, reggae gigs, rock gigs, classical gigs, hip-hop gigs, acoustic gigs, and whatever else the occasion calls for. Musicians are eager to play with him because he can play any style, appease any ear, and the listeners always want more. Notable venues Justin has performed include The Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, The IP Casino in Biloxi, Sky Bar in Auburn, The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Spinnickers in Panama City Beach, Wind Creek Casino in Atmore, The Swamp, Harry T’s, all Heleback locations, AJ’s in Destin, Harbor Docks, The Harbor Walk, Seville Quarter, Juanas, The Electric Cowboy, Tight Lines, just to name a few. He has performed in casinos, restaurants, bars, clubs, parties, festivals, funerals, weddings, and everywhere in between. His record label Pendulum Records is home to 5 artists signed to Pendulum Records, where Justin records, produces, and oversees the recording process of his own music and others wishing to release a CD to the world. He teaches music. He performs music. And he records music. Berklee has taught him the theory needed to excel in jazz and classical studies, and has enabled Justin to live life attempting to break musical boundaries in any genre of music he so desires. For booking, email Justin at jrrguitar@aol.com. His band The Dog Spankin Monkeys debut CD can be found for sale on ITunes.

To sign up for Guitar, Bass Guitar, or Banjo Lessons Contact Us for Lesson Availabilities.

Tuba Christmas @ The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort - Dec. 10, 2016 5pm


Kara Bishop, New Voice Instructor at Playground Music Center


Kara Bishop - Coloratura Soprano

Biography
In the very few years since making her professional debut, lyric-coloratura soprano, Kara Bishop, has firmly established her position among the Opera World’s brightest hopes for the future.

In Autumn 2011, immediately following completing her degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado - where she performed leading roles in Don Giovanni (Zerlina,) Elisir d’Amore (Adina,) and Cosi fan tutte (Despina) - Miss Bishop moved to central Germany. Performances as Poussette in Manon, brought her to the attention of international tenor star, Keith Ikaia-Purdy; he, in turn, promptly engaged her as principal coloratura soprano for his newly formed opera company “Opera et Cetera.” Since then Miss Bishop has been featured on German television, and has performed concerts all throughout central Germany, including notable invitations from the Wiesbaden Kurhaus, Theater Dolce - Bad Nauheim, the Johannisberg Schloss, the Biebrich Schloss and the Rheingauer Dom - each among the region’s most prestigious concert locales.

During this same brief period, Kara Bishop has earned a stellar reputation as a gifted lied and art-song recitalist. Through her critically acclaimed, thematically based recital evenings, Kara Bishop has succeeded in reestablishing in the Rheingau Region the “Salon Concert” tradition, once closely associated with the great coloratura singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The charm of these concert evenings has led to ever-increasing demands on Miss Bishop as a recitalist, and as a specialist in the nearly forgotten coloratura song literature once favored by Amelita Galli-Curci, Luisa Tetrazzini and Erna Sack. Composer Luigi Arditi’s lilting waltz-songs are particular favorites of Kara Bishops growing fan base.
In the summer of 2014, Kara Bishop was one of a select group of young singers drawn from throughout the world to appear with the Greek Opera Studio under the auspices of the Festival of the Aegean, in Syros Greece. In addition to performing the daunting fioratura of the Nightingale in Debussy’s L’Enfant des Sortileges, Kara Bishop performed extensive excerpts from Werther (as Sophie,) and Don Giovanni (as Zerlina,). The previous spring, saw Kara Bishop’s California concert debut in an Opera Gala performed with MET star, Eduardo Villa, presented on the campus of the California Opera Academy of the West. This past summer Miss Bishop was engaged to sing a concert tour in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Finally, Kara Bishop’s nimble voice, excellent musicianship and clear diction make her an ideal soloist in the sacred works of Bach, Handel and Mozart; demand for her in this repertoire has led to engagements throughout Germany and beyond.

Kara Bishop has attended master-classes and coaching from such renowned artists as Sue Patchell, Eilana Lappalainen, Graham Cox, Alexander Scherer, Kelly Kaduce. 

Kara Bishop is now accepting students at Playground Music Center in Fort Walton Beach, FL - Contact Us about available lesson times for more information.