Success Stories

Our students are our greatest recruiters. Read about their experiences at SACM.

Joey Mathison: violin, piano

One of SACM’s youngest violinists has consistently won scholarship awards, and performed in the Conservatory’s Honors Recital for the last 2 terms. Visit this link to hear Joey’s latest from in May, 2011. 

Joey has studied violin 4, and piano 2 years with Olga Kolpakova. He has been named the Florida Federation of Music Clubs Junior Convention State Winner for Violin Concerto (Junior 1-A Division)

Matt Gender: organ, carillon

Matt Gender, who studied organ at Saint Andrew’s Conservatory, is one of our success stories. Matt , who graduated from Oviedo High School, is currently a Junior studying organ, carillon, improvisation, and sacred music at the University of Florida. Matt remarks that Saint Andrew’s Conservatory “helped me to prepare and pass five successful university auditions.” Matt currently works as a substitute organist around Central Florida, and is a frequent performer at American Guild of Organists events. 

Kayla Mahnken: harp

Kayla has been playing the harp for five years. She began taking lessons with Verlon Eason at St. Andrew’s Conservatory, where she gained confidence in her abilities and was encouraged to share her gift with others. Kayla is currently attending Florida State University, where she is working toward a degree in editing, writing, and media, as well as minors in education and religion. She continues to take lessons with Mary Brigid Roman, Associate Professor of Harp at The Florida State University College of Music.