Meet Our Teachers

Raymond Nathan has been a drum teacher at Music Matters for 17 years! He is a self-taught drummer and percussionist, musician, and entertainer. Born in Montreal, Canada, he started playing drums at 5 AM on Christmas day when he was eight years old. At fourteen, his dreams, life, focus, and attention all changed on Sunday, February 9, 1964 at 6 PM, when he first saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. At that moment, he knew what he wanted to be, and was manically driven to be just like Ringo!

After another six years of following his dreams and passion, most importantly with hard work, dedication and focus in spite of enduring personal sacrifices and overcoming the numerous barriers of life's hurdles, he had already managed to tour around the world once, playing drums for some of the world's most popular international BIG NAME bands, acts, and personalities. 

Raymond has performed on some of the world's biggest and most prestigious stages, stadiums, opera houses, night clubs, cruise ships, and show bars. He continued to travel the globe performing across Canada, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, the Philippines, Japan, Papua New Guinea, and every possible exotic island and tourist resort in the Pacific Ocean.

As a result, due to his hectic, busy lifestyle, he forgot to have kids of his own. Subsequently, his life's career mission, dreams, and focus have now been directed toward today's youth. As a drum teacher at Music Matters, he would feel greatly fulfilled and rewarded if just one of his students went on to fulfill their dreams and have the same blessed life and experiences as a world class drummer, musician, and entertainer as he.

Raymond has been married to his beautiful wife Cathy, who is a wonderful human being, for 36 years.

Lillian is a pianist and music teacher with over 20 years of experience! She began piano studies at the age of seven, and with her discipline, perseverance and love for piano, she excelled and performed in several competitions. This influenced her desire to become a professional pianist. 

Lillian completed her bachelor’s degree in music and a bachelor’s in psychology at the Superior Institute of Arts of Havana. She also attended graduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi, obtaining a degree of Master of Music in Piano Performance. She has worked as a teacher and collaborative pianist at the Superior Institute of Arts in Havana, Music Conservatory at Polytechnic University of Managua, and the University of Louisville in Kentucky. 

She has developed her career as a teacher, solo pianist and accompanist, performing in more than 150+ recitals in styles ranging from classic music to contemporary and Latin American music. While teaching, Lillian helps promote the student’s personal interests in a patient, needs-based approach, making learning music motivating and fun. She welcomes students of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.

Born in Oceanside, Long Island, NY, John "Mitch" Mitchell discovered his passion for drumming at the age of 6, inspired by his father and starting out on a humble Daffy Duck drum set, he pursued music throughout his school years. He participated in the Lindenhurst Symphonic & Marching bands and various local ensembles. 

At age 22, John joined the Lindenaires Drum & Bugle Corps where he honed his rudimental drumming skills until the age of eighteen. Following high school, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy & played in the Navy band during boot camp. Afterward, he performed with classic rock bands, marching bands, and concert groups across Long Island while working at Grumman Aircraft for 20 years, building the iconic F-14 Tomcat. 

In 2002, John reconnected with the music scene teaching drums and leading the drumline at Millennium Academy. Over the past 7 years, John has dedicated himself to inspiring the next generation of musicians.

In addition, John has made it his mission to restore old drum kits & donate them to children eager to learn music. This ensures young musicians have the tools they need to explore their talent. His generosity has impacted students of all ages, fostering a love for music & the arts in his community!

What a wonderful, and generous act of kindness, John, and thank you for your service!

Jim Donaldson has been a part of the Florida music scene for over 20 years. Originally from Michigan, he studied jazz at the University of South Florida, where he was influenced by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Jimmy Page, and Joe Pass. He moved to New York City in the 90’s and was a part of the jazz scene there before returning to the Tampa Bay area. Jim plays for different groups in the Tampa music scene. He’s been touring with Colleen Orender for two years all over the state of Florida, and teaches guitar when he’s not on the road, in New Port  Richey where he currently resides.  

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Alsie holds her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of St. Augustine Conservatory of Music in the Philippines, her native country. She majored in voice and music education with a minor in piano. She also had her bachelor recital in voice. 

Alsie has extensive experience as a choir instructor, music teacher and musical director in educational and private sectors, instructing all ages. She has sung in concerts at the Lincoln Center in NYC and was proclaimed the 1979 national champion at the Literary Musical Vocal Solo contest in the Philippines. In 1994, she was awarded 1st place at the Philippines independence day vocal solo contest in NYC. Her talents have won many other musical events.

She has also performed in many theatrical and opera stage shows such as: The King and I, South Pacific, Madame Butterfly, and many others. She also won the Pasco Idol open contest in May 2010!

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With an extensive educational background, Linda became a teacher at McGill University in the B.Ed program in Canada, and also privately studied voice there for 7 years. She studied piano for 9 years and matriculated at the McGill Conservatory of Music. She studied Italian and performed operas in various languages. She continued voice studies with Carmen Mehta and Harriet Coyle.

With her great talent, Linda won the silver merit award at McGill for writing, directing, and choreographing an original musical. She sang the title song in another college production written by fellow McGill student, Galt McDermot, who also wrote the Broadway production, Hair.

Linda has been a member of ACTRA, SAG, ASCAP, BMI, and AGAC and has had her compositions performed and published with Bourne Music in New York, Warner Bros. in Hong Kong, and Magic Music in Canada. She did extensive television work with two major TV stations in Canada between 1979 and 1981 and hosted a CBC fall launch, did a pilot for the Linda Copperfield Show, and starred in a one-hour national CBC production where she was honored as one of 3 most promising young Canadian composers. She won an award when she researched and hosted a widely-acclaimed twenty-six show television series, Music International. 

While living in New York, Linda released two singles, and wrote and produced commercials at Soundspace Studio in New Jersey for 2 years. She also wrote and directed an original Christmas musical for the Show Palace in Hudson, Florida. 

Her past participation in choirs, ensembles, and awards for best conductor, enable her to work in many different venues, and is spectacular at teaching voice to many wonderful performers who are being noticed for their surprising agility! 

Linda has a very extensive musical background in film, commercials, television, Broadway, and more, and we are very proud to have her teaching at Music Matters!

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Sandra teaches violin and beginner cello.

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