Alice-Margaret Byerts (Director/Piano/Voice)
A native of Sanford, Florida, Alice-Margaret graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Stetson University in 1987 where she studied voice with Dr. Lloyd Linney and piano with Dr. Michael Rickman. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Alice-Margaret has taught hundreds of students to enjoy not only the piano and voice but music in general.
Alice-Margaret is a retired church accompanist with over 30 years experience having been instrumental in developing both vocal ensemble groups and praise bands/teams and continues to accompany for local college and school-aged students.
As founder and director of Lochwood Academy for the Performing Arts, Alice-Margaret ensures that all students are provided a high-quality musical/performing education in a nurturing community with professional teachers and performances.
Alice-Margaret is married to Dean and has 2 daughters, Mindy and Ginny. During her spare time, she likes to bake, cook, travel, camp and spend time with her dog, Roxie.
Mindy Byerts (Office Manager/Clarinet/Piano)
Ginny Anderson (Communications Manager/Oboe/Piano/Flute)
Virginia (Ginny) Anderson graduated from Stetson University in 2011 where she performed with the Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band. Additionally, Virginia has performed with the North Carolina Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and Southern Winds.
A native of Sanford, Florida, Virginia was homeschooled when she began oboe lessons with Dr. Ann Adams of Stetson University in the fifth grade. After completing her Bachelor of Music in oboe performance as a William E. Duckwitz Talent Scholar at Stetson, Virginia continues to build her private studio at Lochwood Academy.
As a soloist, Virginia has been featured with the Stetson University Community School of the Arts Choir, Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) Women's Choir and various touring and local school choir concerts. She has been a finalist in the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition as well as the Ocala Symphony Concerto Competition. In June 2011, Virginia was selected to play in the International Double Reed Society Convention master class with Richard Woodhams in Tempe, Arizona.
In addition to her solo and orchestral experience, Virginia has performed with various chamber groups throughout high school and college. She has been immersed in classical music her entire life. Virginia's mother, Alice-Margaret, was a graduate of Stetson University and teaches piano privately to a studio of over 80 students.
Virginia served as a counselor for the Stetson University Double Reed Summer Workshop for six years, after attending for eight years. When not performing, teaching or making reeds, Virginia Anderson enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 daughters & furr babies, watching movies and listening to film soundtracks.
Alejandro Imana (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukuklele)
Alejandro Imana is a guitarist from Orlando, Florida that specializes in Jazz and Classical styles of guitar. After studying Jazz guitar with Stephen Luciano at Seminole State College, he went on to pursue Classical guitar at Stetson University and was learning under Stephen Robinson, a world renown classical guitarist. Alejandro aspires to teach and perform in the central Florida area and become a supporting role in his music community.
Shana Parrott (Tiny Thespians, Musical Theatre I & II, Drama I & II, Acting, Tap)
Shana Parrott comes to Lochwood with over 7 years of teaching children and teenagers in the Performing Arts. Growing up in Musical Theatre, Show Choir & Dance, Shana developed a passion for the Performing Arts at a very young age. She had the joy of doing Community Theatre up until High School and started assisting Dance Classes when she was 16 years old. After finishing High School Shana taught dance for 2 years, while focusing on mastering her crafts before moving to New York City to pursue her dreams. Shana is kind of a Lochwood Alumni if you think about it, as Mrs. Byerts was her voice teacher before moving to New York City, and can attest Mrs. Byerts is an amazing educator & cheerleader to all her students. She was overjoyed to see Mrs. Byerts open Lochwood. Shana was accepted into Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester in 2011 where she got to work and train with the industry’s top professionals, have exposure to talent agencies, and workshop/ perform dance pieces from professional choreographers. Upon finishing the program Shana decided to stay in New York City and spent her first two years performing in Off Broadway productions, Improv Shows, and Stand Up Comedy Shows. Her last two years were spent writing music and performing in a Folk Rock Band all around the Tri State area.
Upon leaving New York City, Shana took a couple months of self discovery to move out to California to get her yoga teaching certification. When arriving back to Florida Shana began to teach yoga, fitness classes, dance and choreograph for an Award Winning Dance Competition Team. As well as teaching in the Kids Ministry at Discovery Church. After 5 years Shana veered towards only teaching fitness classes as a Lead Instructor for a change of pace, but realized after time how much she missed teaching Children. Through a very transformative couple months after 2020, Shana had given up on the idea of teaching again as she started to pursue a career in the Funeral Industry. God has a plan for everything though, and when Mrs. Byerts dropped into her DM’s and they met up about teaching for Lochwood, she knew this was an answer to a 5 year old prayer she couldn’t run away from. Shana is beyond excited to be able to share her passion & education for Theatre and the Performing Arts with Lochwood Academy’s students, and can’t wait to see your children grow. Her purpose for every child or teenager that walks into her classes is to not only nurture their passion, but engrave into their minds that they have been given a gift for a reason and to never doubt what they have been made capable for, and of course always feel loved no matter who they are. Shana understands the importance of what a passionate and supportive educator can do for a child’s confidence, drive & mental health, and promises to give your child the best experience and education possible in her classes. When not teaching you will find Shana enjoying her Husband & 4 year old Daughter, caring for families at a Funeral Home, or serving at Action Church on the Online or Worship team.
Sydney Leduc (Voice/Piano)
Sydney Leduc began her musical journey through piano lessons at the age of 7. After joining choir in Middle School, she fell in love with singing and went on to pursue voice lessons as well. A previous student of Alice-Margaret, Sydney is thrilled to return to Lochwood Academy and teach where her love for music flourished. Her rich musical experiences throughout middle and high school, such as private lessons with Alice-Margaret, singing in various solo voice competitions, and being a member of FMEA All-State and Carnegie Honor choirs led her to pursue music in higher education.
As a William E. Duckwitz talent scholar, Sydney continued her voice studies at Stetson University under the guidance of Jane Christeson. An active member of Stetson’s musical community, Sydney has been able to sing with Stetson’s Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, and Choral Union throughout her 4 years. She has also sung as a choral scholar with multiple churches throughout Central Florida, currently serving at Markham Wood’s Presbyterian Church in Lake Mary.
Sydney enjoys teaching students of various ages and skill levels. Her goal, as an educator, is to help cultivate each student’s unique talent and love for music. After completing her internship at Apopka High School this fall, Sydney will graduate from Stetson University in December with a Bachelor’s degree of Music Education. She is extremely excited to be certified to teach Music K-12 and looks forward to continuing teaching privately, as well as having her own classroom in the future.
Away from teaching, Sydney enjoys attempting to teach herself guitar and ukulele, hanging out with her dogs Sadie and Maple, playing volleyball, hiking, traveling, watching movies, and trying to perfect her banana bread recipe.
Eva Taurins (Violin/Viola)
Eva Taurins has been playing the viola and violin for 13 years. She has participated in orchestras such as Florida All-State Orchestra on viola in 2022, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Winter Park Chamber Music Academy. Eva is a three-time winner of concerto competitions at Winter Park Chamber Music Academy. She hopes to continue playing and studying viola through college, participating in orchestra and ensembles wherever possible. Eva is also a part of the Sanford Mayor’s Youth Council and the National Honors Society of Seminole High School.
Levin McCoy (Percussion)
Levin is in high school but was highly recommended to us by his own private teacher and others in the music arena. He has been a percussionist in the All-State Band for Florida for several years which is a huge accomplishment as there are only 6-10 chosen each year from all over the state. He is studying not only the drum set but also all of the orchestral percussion instruments as well, so his students are well-rounded percussionists/musicians.
Kimberly Aspiazu (Piano)
Justin Carson (Guitar)