Teaching Artists

The Florida Orchestra partners with Pinellas County Schools to enrich music education across Tampa Bay. This unique partnership brings together orchestra directors and TFO Teaching Artists, whose dual expertise in performance and education gives them the unique position to perform with The Florida Orchestra while also mentoring young, pre-college musicians in the community. 

By working closely with string teachers of all experience levels, our teaching artists provide invaluable support in classroom structuring, foundational technical skill development, and artistic growth. They engage with teachers to discuss goals and develop tailored plans to enhance instruction. Throughout the year, teaching artists assist in group settings and work individually with students. As a result, string programs and educators have flourished, both in number and in quality, under this thriving partnership. 

“We’ve had a fledgling orchestra class the last few years and our TFO Teaching Artists have been AMAZING in helping me learn how to teach strings and my students play their instruments better. I feel like we are finally at a place where we are poised to be an actual string ensemble, and I would love more of their expertise. Either way I’m so grateful for the partnership between TFO and Pinellas county schools and how it supports my classroom.” – Melissa, East Lake High