PRESIDENT & CEO, MASTER INSTRUCTOR (VOICE, PIANO)

Roseann Tota holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Marywood (Scranton, PA), graduate training from The Aaron Copland School of Music, (Queens, NY) and a Bachelor of Music with dual certification in Music Education and Kodály Musical Training from the Hartt School of Music, (Hartford, CT). She has taught grades K-12 music in both private and public settings and has been a guest clinician for District Choral festivals. She is proud to have been the strong force behind developing the Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida.

Her students go on to attend the most prestigious universities and conservatories. They enjoy lasting careers including: Broadway, National Tours, recording contracts, film and television credits, operatic, classical and church performances, as well as voice professors and music educators.

HEAD OF THEATRE, STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (VOICE, GUITAR, BASS GUITAR, UKULELE, PIANO, DRAMA)

Nick Orfanella is an accomplished actor/singer/musician. On the New York stage, Nick has appeared professionally at The Manhattan Repertory Theatre, The June Havoc Theatre, MARS Theatricals, The Midtown International Theatre Festival, TheatreWorks/USA, and The Abingdon Theatre. Nick was featured in the National Tour of Henry and Mudge where he had the honor of performing at many of the nation’s most historic venues, including the legendary Paper Mill Playhouse. He has appeared regionally at Stages St. Louis, freeFall Theatre, the Reduxion Theatre, the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, Oklahoma Children's Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse, Skyline Theatre Company, and Artistree Theatre. Favorite credits include tick, tick…BOOM! (Jon), Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), Hair (Berger), and multiple productions of Fiddler on the Roof as Motel the tailor, a role which garnered him a BroadwayWorld award nomination. As a voice actor, Nick has narrated several audiobooks, recorded radio spots, and voiced various video game characters. Nick is a proud graduate of Oklahoma City University and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre.

HEAD OF VOICE, MASTER INSTRUCTOR (VOICE)

Ariana Jackson is a graduate of Oklahoma City University, obtaining both a Masters of Business Administration and Bachelors of Music in Musical Theatre. She has spent her post graduate years working in higher education, arts administration and non-profit management in New York and Oklahoma. After graduating with her Bachelors, Ariana interned with Charlotte Wilcox Company in New York City and was proud to be a part of the management team for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway. While completing her Master’s degree, Ariana was thrilled to have been a founding member of Fresh Paint Performance Lab, a company which engaged artists, composers, dancers, and musicians of all genres to develop new, original work in Oklahoma City. Most recently, Ariana has served as the Coordinator of the Performing Arts Academy at Oklahoma City University, which fueled her love of music and theatre education and inspired her move back to Florida. Ariana is thrilled be back in Florida near family with her husband, Thomas, their daughters, Giuliana and Sienna, and their golden retriever, Vegas to become a part of the TOTA Conservatory team!

HEAD OF DANCE, STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (DANCE), ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

Elizabeth Morgan is a Tampa Bay Area native, where she was thrilled to develop a love for the arts while training with Harmony Studios, Florida West Ballet, Bay City Ballet, St Petersburg City Ballet, and Singcerely Yours Music Studio. Elizabeth has performed in/served as dance captain in professional regional theatre productions, including A Funny Thing…Forum, South Pacific, Curtains, and more. She has also toured with Stages Productions, performing children's theatre productions at The Straz Center, The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and The Mahaffey Theatre, among others. Her other professional credits in “the business” include roles in stage management, administrative assistance, and of course, teaching. She is so happy to be able to continue her career in the ever-flourishing arts community that is Tampa Bay!

HEAD OF BILLING
STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (VOICE, PIANO)

Jonah Morgan has explored the world of music from a wide variety of perspectives. As such, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Musical Studies from the Berklee College of Music. His studies ranged from Music Education, Production, and Performance, to Copyright Law, Finance and the Music Business. Jonah has also participated in multiple choruses, vocal ensembles, theatrical productions, and bands throughout his educational experience.
He was thrilled to join the Vocal and Piano studios of Roseann Tota in 2012 and to have gained a tremendous passion for Music Education through her instruction. Going forward, Jonah hopes to provide high-quality musical experiences for each of his students. Music is a developmentally rich union of math and poetry that is shared through human connection and creativity; there is nothing like it, and no better tool for growth. Jonah is elated to be a part of the TOTA Conservatory team and to grow along with it!

STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (VOICE, PIANO), ACCOMPANIST

Shaila Ghanekar is a Palm Harbor native and a current student at the Yale School of Medicine. She developed her love for the arts while training in classical piano for 18 years under Kinuyo Englebrecht and in voice and acting under the tutelage of Roseann Tota. Shaila has served as the music director and accompanist for many of TOTA’s musical productions, including Into the Woods, A Christmas Carol, Willy Wonka, and Matilda the Musical. She has also accompanied TOTA’s various performance groups, including the Ambassadors of Sound. Shaila is truly grateful for the ability to combine her passions of science and music as a member of the TOTA Team!

MUSIC DIRECTOR, ACCOMPANIST,
MASTER INSTRUCTOR

Aaron Cassette is currently a music and theatre educator with Pinellas County Schools serving as the Middle Years Program Director of Performing Arts at James B. Sanderlin IB World School.
Aaron holds a BA in Education from Western Michigan University and a MA in Music Education from Florida State University. Originally from Southwest Michigan, Aaron has served as music educator for many schools in the Midwest as well as musical director for professional, regional, university and community theatres in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida. He also created a private teaching studio in Michigan with nearly 50 students in piano. An accomplished accompanist, Aaron has worked with both student and professional musicians for more than 30 years. Aaron has been living in St. Petersburg, Florida since 2010 where he has worked consistently in music education and has performed in a wide array of venues.

STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (VOICE, PIANO)

Jennifer Gray is so happy to be a part of the team here at TOTA! Jennifer brings 13+ years of private lesson teaching experience along with being an accomplished accompanist and music director. She holds a Minor in Piano Performance along with a wealth of professional experience as a pianist and singer. She is Principle Pianist with the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra, is frequently booked as a pianist for nationally touring artists, lead singer with her jazz band Spellbound, performs often as a solo pianist or singer for many private and corporate events, and is in high demand as an accompanist for school events. She brings passion and enthusiasm to her teaching style, and is honored to guide students along their journey of reaching their full potential as performers.

STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (PIANO)

Tara Richards Swartzbaugh is a faculty member at the University of Tampa where she is a Piano and Theory instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from The University of Tampa, and a Master of Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Texas Woman’s University. She teaches piano and theory at The University of Tampa Students, where she is also a Music Department Staff Accompanist. She is the South Tampa Chair of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and hosts their annual auditions. Mrs. Swartzbaugh is also the Chancel Choir Director and Organist at First Presbyterian Church in Brandon. She serves as Musical Director and accompanist for The University of Tampa Department of Speech Theater and Dance, as the director of the OPUS Broadway/Pop group, and as the accompanist for the H. B. Plant High School Choral Department. Tara is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota (music), Alpha Psi Omega (theater), the American Guild of Organists, and the American Choral Directors Association. She lives in South Tampa with her husband Bill, and their six cats.

STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (DANCE)

Christopher Liddell is known for his trademark sassy-wisdom as he conducts national and international workshops aimed at teaching performance, career, and life skills. Serving as a director and choreographer for Ruth Eckerd Hall, Tampa Ballet Theatre, and various arts organizations, Chris has created over 50 successful shows since relocating to Florida. Before that, he spent eleven years in NYC working professionally on Broadway, at Lincoln Center, and running his dance company, "Le Troupe Liddell!". He is a teaching-artist having been on faculty at the prestigious NYC dance studio, Steps on Broadway; he has also been a guest teacher with Yale University. Chris is now based out of beautiful Clearwater, FL where he has recently been enjoying a spree of successful and enriching productions while his students continue to be accepted into top performing arts programs such as NYU Tisch, Oberlin, ABT, Prix de Lausanne, ArtsEd London, etc.

STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (DANCE)

Eileen Lee is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where they obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and a Dance Minor. Born and raised in the St. Pete-Clearwater area, Eileen started studying dance at four years old. They discovered their love for musical theatre in their teenage years and began studying with Roseann Tota at the TOTA Conservatory. While in college, Eileen discovered their passion for choreography and has since worked as a choreographer on productions at UCF, Orlando Family Stage, and public schools in the Orlando area. As a performer, their favorite credits include Peter and the Starcatcher (Peter), Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), Working (Dolores Dante), and Bright Star (Florence, Ensemble). Eileen brings creativity and a passion for theatre history to their teaching style, and is proud to be working with the TOTA team!

STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (VOICE)

Alliya Chaffin is a Palm Harbor native and former student of Roseann Tota. She began her education at Oklahoma City University for a B.M. in Musical Theatre. During her sophomore year, she realized her passion for Music Education and transferred to the University of South Florida. Alliya is truly excited to continue her journey as a member of Tota Conservatory!

STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (COSTUMES, PRODUCTION DESIGN)

Marisa George found her love for the arts at a very young age when she developed a love for dance. As a young adult, she discovered her love of creating and sewing, inspiring her to design costumes, props and sets around the Bay area. She has designed costumes and props for shows such as The King & I, Shrek, Into the Woods, Anything Goes, The Beverly Hillbillies, Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and Willy Wonka. Her set designs have been seen in Elf, The Little Mermaid, Matilda, Seussical, Frozen, Into the Woods, Aladdin, 101 Dalmatians,and A Christmas Carol. She also designs children’s church stage sets, conference stage sets and dance competition costumes. For Marisa, joining the TOTA team has been an opportunity of a lifetime; she is extremely excited to help students develop their love of the arts through art and sewing. She believes showing them the importance of these skills in the theater arts world will make them more well-rounded. Marisa firmly believes that the arts are critically important to the developmental process and is thrilled to be part of TOTA, where the emphasis is focused on teaching students skills that will last a lifetime.

STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (DRAMA)

Makenzie Degenhardt is a Clearwater native that is thrilled to be getting back to both her Florida and theatrical roots. A graduate of Greensboro College, Makenzie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a focus in Acting and a minor in Dance. After graduating in 2018 she traveled to New York where she gained invaluable experience auditioning and working with directors at NYU and Marymount Manhattan College. After returning home in 2020, Makenzie spent time in event planning and hospitality. She is very excited to be bringing her skills to the TOTA team.

STUDIO INSTRUCTOR (VOICE, PIANO)

Amy Fee is a graduate of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music with degrees in music and theatre. After college, her performing career took her across the country to play roles in shows such as Cats, 42nd Street, Crazy for You, Chicago, Sweet Charity, Swing, Showboat and Evita. Favorite credits include the National Tour of Cats (Demeter), the International Tour of Grease (Jan/Dance Captain) and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Amy moved back to the Tampa area to pursue her love for teaching high school dance, music and drama. Continuing her stage work with local theatre companies, Amy has directed, music directed and/or choreographed shows such as Young Frankenstein, The Addams Family, A Chorus Line, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Crazy for You, Pippin, South Pacific, Godspell and Singin’ in the Rain. Local performing credits include Sweet Charity (Charity), A Chorus Line (Cassie), Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary) and The Addams Family (Morticia). She is thrilled to work with the amazing TOTA family, passing on her passion for the arts to the next generation!

ACCOMPANIST

Justin Havard is an accomplished director, pianist and singer who has spent the last 13 years making music in the Tampa Bay area. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, he received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Choral Music Education from Florida State University with an emphasis on Piano. He was the collaborative pianist for the Florida All-State Men’s Choir in 2017 and 2018, and he has played for many national tours including The Book of Mormon, Wicked and Spamalot.

During his 13 years as the choral director at Palm Harbor University High School, they gained recognition and honors both statewide and nationally. Mr. Havard is particularly known for his work with Acapella Groups and Musical Theatre, and he has presented at both the Florida Music Educators’ Association Conference and the Florida State Thespian Conference.

Mr. Havard is currently a Staff Accompanist and Professor for the Voice/Choral Department at the University of Louisiana Monroe.