Meet Our Instructors
Guitar, Bass Guitar and Ukulele
Ro Kane: Guitar, Vocals and Piano
Ro Kane graduated from Towson State University with a degree in Education and quickly fused her passion for teaching with her love for music. For 23 years Ro toured the Mid-Atlantic region as the lead female vocalist for one of Baltimore’s premier show bands, Ashtin Golt for which she arranged all vocal harmonies and choreography for the show. She started Blue Sky Entertainment group to expand her love for teaching music and began teaching piano which she’s been studying since the age of 6, teaching voice which she’s been performing since age 9 and studying most of her life, and teaching guitar which she’s been playing professionally for 20 years. She is currently performing in a vocal/ guitar duo with Nashville recording artist, Duffy Kane (Freedom Train Records) under the name Duffy and Ro.
As an instructor, Ro brings a unique performance based approach to teaching which enables her students to accomplish their performance aspirations and career goals. In collaboration with LimeLight Music School, Ro will also be starting a preschool music and movement program in addition to teaching, piano, voice and guitar to all ages.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Duffy Kane: Guitar and Ukulele
Duffy Kane is an American country blues-rock boogie rebel who plays a mean guitar, howls up a sandstorm and writes a helluva insightful lyric. He’s a thinkin’ man’s ax slinger with a lot of fret board facility and even more on his mind. After transferring years of classical violin studies into self taught guitar wizardry, the Weirton, West Virginia-native came up aping hard rockin’ yahoos like Ted Nugent and Black Sabbath. He swiftly graduated to the truly challenging fretwork of country and jazz players such as Jerry Reed, Brent Mason, Speedy West, Pat Martino, Mike Stern and all-in-one master Stevie Ray Vaughan. This rocketed his nimble pickin’ and chordal harmony chops to Mars. Today, Duffy Kane is a hard working perfectionist who spends a third of his day sheddin’ on guitar, a third devouring mind-expanding politico reading (“Atlas Shrugged,” for example) and the final third terrorizing audiences at night with his songs that are both instrumentally and lyrically stimulating. Thus the title of his sixth and latest independent CD, Dead Man Walking: songs of life challenges and conscience for an America under siege from the inside as well as diabolical outside forces. Duffy Kane came by his musical excellence natural via a father who was a concert pianist and a mother who at one time was a promising folk guitarist (she studied under Park Hill and Joe Negri). “I can’t say Mom was directly inspiring to me but she was exceptionally good,” Duffy confesses. “My father was an excellent pianist so I had classical music of the highest order drilled into my head from a man who sat in the basement playing it from the day I was born.” Duffy was first seduced by the guitar at age 4 while watching “The Beverly Hillbillies.” “There was a scene where Mr. Drysdale was pulling up to the bank in his blue convertible Lincoln Continental. The underscore was jazz guitar (played by Hollywood studio legend Perry Botkin, Sr.). The second that cool guitar floated out of the TV speakers, it spun my lil’ head around sittin’ on the floor playing with my matchbox cars.” In 1996, Duffy cut his first blues trio CD, Let Your Insides Do The Talking (PMC Records), in Nashville at 16th Avenue Sound, produced by Grammy-nominee Brian Hardin (Jerry Lee Lewis and Charlie Daniels). Keeping a grueling 250 nights-a-year touring schedule, Duffy played festivals and on stages with blues greats such as Johnny Winter, Big Jack Johnson, Tino Gonzales, Debbie Davies, and The Nighthawks – all while cranking out a succession independent releases: Live (1994),Promised Land (2009), Holy Ghost (2010) and Citizen Kane (2012). “I don’t consider myself an artist,” Duffy concludes. “I’m a craftsman. I want people to see me as a man who’s spent a lot of time looking into matters of the world and speaks the truth about what he sees.”
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Watch Duffy give a remote virtual guitar lesson:
Mike Lentino: Guitar, Ukulele and Vocals
Michael began learning music with piano lessons when he was 5 years old. He began singing in elementary school chorus and was invited to perform with the Maryland All-State choir in Middle School. He has also studied drums, music history, and theory, through private lessons. He received vocal, guitar, and drum instruction at Carroll Community College and began playing local acoustic shows in 2009. He started a band, Feedback, in 2012, and has performed his original music at Maryland venues including Rams Head Live, Fish Head Cantina, and Towson University.
Michael brings a unique balance of performance experience, technique, and theory in his approach to lessons. He seeks to inspire confidence and a passion for music in future singers, songwriters, and performers.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
John Dixon: Guitar, Bass and Ukulele
John Dixon is a very well-rounded guitar player and vocalist with 30 years of experience specializing in the Hard rock and Metal genres with additional experience gigging live in a Pop music group, playing anything from Taylor Swift to Snoop Dogg. With John’s knowledge of guitar, bass, baritone, ukulele, and vocal performance (both melodic and harsh), a very wide range of knowledge can be explored in your lessons.
John has composed his own music from the outset of his musical journey and will urge you to do the same while learning the music of your favorite artists. In addition to guitar and vocals, John is well-versed in lyric writing, structuring songs, home recording, drum programming software, and efficient home practice methods. In his workaday world, John has received extensive training in interpersonal communication, the gradient learning process and various effective teaching methods.
With John as your guide, your personal music goals will be discussed until fully understood before you start or continue your wonderful musical journey with the shared goal of your ultimate success and independence as a musician. And if you just want to come learn “Wonderwall” and “Smoke on the Water”, that’s fine.
Percussion
Jesse Magee: Drums
Jesse was born into a family who loved music. As a little boy, he became interested in playing the drums, listening to blues music and practicing the vocals and lyrics for every Seattle grunge band that came on the scene.
Later, he began performing songs at local coffee houses and asking local bands if they would mind a walk-on. The crowds roared for this young man who shook the venue without any warning!
At 16 years old, he was already an accomplished drummer. As a self-taught drummer, he was the envy of his peers and now one of the best drummers and drum instructors for children of all ability levels, specializing in children with disabilities. He is an upbeat, easy going musician who teaches in a relaxed style. Jesse says, “You can never be too old or too young to learn to play the drums”. Jesse has been teaching for over thirteen years.
Whatever the level of desire and ability, Jesse will take the drumming to the next level. He is the singer/songwriter of a very popular regional band called LeftStronger, and he performs his favorite grunge covers in his band GRUNGEology. He has been said to be the best singer on the East Coast by many industry professionals.
He writes all his songs with the drum beat in mind which makes them very melodic and catchy! His ability to teach to each student’s level is what makes him unique as he shares his talent.
Robert O'Neal: Band and Orchestral Percussion
Robert O’Neal is a 2013 graduate of Frostburg State University, where he studied Music. He is certified in Pre-K-12 Music and in Middle School Social Studies. A product of the Carroll County Public School system, Robert has participated in local music ensembles for years. He has played Percussion (Drums, Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, and other orchestral instruments), Piano (Acoustic and Electronic), and Trumpet in local music ensembles in the county and in Western Maryland. Robert is well-versed in classical, jazz, and rock styles. He is also an experienced actor, and has participated in Theatre at the high school and college level, as Assistant Director for productions at Century High School, and recently as Band Director at North Carroll High School. He currently is on staff at South Carroll High School.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Russell Hayward III: Drums and Percussion
Russell Hayward, III was born in La Plata, Maryland. The son of a drummer, Russell began his musical journey before the age of four. He received initial instruction by his father, Russell Hayward, Jr. who was a high school band director, as well as a seasoned musician in his own rite. At a young age, Russell often performed with his father’s high school band where he gained confidence, stage presence, and developed his own percussive technique. Russell attended school in Ann Arundel and Baltimore counties where he received additional instruction through the years from elementary school teacher, Harry Cocorus; high school assistant band director, Richard Poole; and Steve Conaway, who was the Drumline instructor for the Baltimore Colts Marching Band. There was not a time when Russell did not want to pursue a career in music. He burst onto the Baltimore music scene performing with more than 10 bands from 1997 to 2006 where he was able to network and showcase his skills and eventually become well-known in the local industry.Russell’s passion for music was not specific to one genre. During his career, he has mastered alternative funk/rock, pop, funk, punk, jazz, progressive rock, and fusion. While he has performed in various bands in the aforementioned genres, Russell has the skills to perform whenever and wherever needed regardless of the occasion and the type of music with little adjustment. In addition to regularly performing with the numerous groups, Russell expanded his goals to the studio and live freelance work including lending his talents to several musicals, recording music for the release of the Toyota Echo vehicle and an EP by DC natives, Swivel. Russell is not only a band performer. He is a true musician whose talents support any musical endeavor that he is presented with.On Sunday mornings, Russell can be found providing musical support in church where he plays gospel and contemporary Christian music. Russell Hayward, III is a passionate musician that can and will play anything. He is currently a member of 4 bands where he keeps time for an impressive mix of sounds ranging from Rhythm and Blues to Reggae; Soul to Blues as well as other styles previously mentioned. Russell’s talents have taken his entire lifetime to develop and there is no limit to what he can do or will do to become the best musician he can be.
Piano/Keyboards
Linda Gilbert: Piano
Linda A. Gilbert began her piano studies in Sioux City, Iowa where she attended
Morningside College. She later attended Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, studying with Julio Esteban.
Continuing her education, she attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champagne, where she studied with Kenneth Drake. She completed her graduate
studies at Towson University in Baltimore studying with Reynaldo Reyes and Frederick Minger. She also held a graduate assistantship in accompanying for the Opera Workshop.
Ms. Gilbert has performed extensively in recitals and competitions in the Midwest as well as on the East Coast. Some of Ms. Gilbert’s performances include the following:
* Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa
* Soloist with The Cherokee, Iowa Symphony and The Siouxland Youth Orchestra
* Peabody Conservatory of Music, Baltimore, Maryland
* Towson University, Towson, Maryland
* The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Baltimore, Maryland
* 1st Runner-up, South Orange, New Jersey Symphony
* Landreth Auditorium, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
* Kosciuszko Foundation, New York City
Ms. Gilbert also is a member of Music Makers of Washington, as well as The Baltimore Music Club, The Piano Workshop, and Our Piano Group. Ms. Gilbert currently teaches at various studios in the Northern Virginia and Montgomery/ Howard County areas. Linda A. Gilbert began her piano studies in Sioux City, Iowa where she attended Morningside College. She later attended Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, studying with Julio Esteban continuing her education, she attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champagne, where she studied with Kenneth Drake. She completed her graduatestudies at Towson University in Baltimore studying with Reynaldo Reyes and Frederick Minger. She also held a graduate assistantship in accompanying for the Opera Workshop.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Robert O'Neal: Piano, Ukulele and Trumpet
Robert O’Neal is a 2013 graduate of Frostburg State University, where he studied Music. He is certified in Pre-K-12 Music and in Middle School Social Studies. A product of the Carroll County Public School system, Robert has participated in local music ensembles for years. He has played Percussion (Drums, Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, and other orchestral instruments), Piano (Acoustic and Electronic), and Trumpet in local music ensembles in the county and in Western Maryland. Robert is well-versed in classical, jazz, and rock styles. He is also an experienced actor, and has participated in Theatre at the high school and college level, as Assistant Director for productions at Century High School, and recently as Band Director at North Carroll High School. He currently is on staff at South Carroll High School.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Ro Kane: Guitar, Vocals and Piano
Ro Kane graduated from Towson State University with a degree in Education and quickly fused her passion for teaching with her love for music. For 23 years Ro toured the Mid-Atlantic region as the lead female vocalist for one of Baltimore’s premier show bands, Ashtin Golt for which she arranged all vocal harmonies and choreography for the show. She started Blue Sky Entertainment group to expand her love for teaching music and began teaching piano which she’s been studying since the age of 6, teaching voice which she’s been performing since age 9 and studying most of her life, and teaching guitar which she’s been playing professionally for 20 years. She is currently performing in a vocal/ guitar duo with Nashville recording artist, Duffy Kane (Freedom Train Records) under the name Duffy and Ro.
As an instructor, Ro brings a unique performance based approach to teaching which enables her students to accomplish their performance aspirations and career goals. In collaboration with LimeLight Music School, Ro will also be starting a preschool music and movement program in addition to teaching, piano, voice and guitar to all ages.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Brooke Gebhardt: Piano and Cello
Brooke Gebhardt has two Associates Degrees from Carroll Community College: Fine Arts with a focus in music and Arts and Sciences with a concentration in creative writing. Early on in her childhood, Brooke developed a love for music. She has been playing piano since 2011 and was an active cellist in her school orchestras, being a part of All-County Orchestras from 2012-2018. Brooke also took the lead in creating the first symphony orchestra at South Carroll High School. Brooke played the xylophone and the bass drum in the South Carroll indoor drumline, and enjoyed being a member of the South Carroll theater’s pit band. She was a member of the Carroll Community Vocal Chamber Ensemble for over 2 years, and she actively teaches cello and piano.
Brooke’s musical style can be described as a little bit of everything and she loves experimenting with any type of music. She is passionate about teaching and sharing her love of music with others of all ages, ready to help her students reach their musical goals.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Lizzie Hushour: Piano, Flute, Trumpet
Lizzie started her musical journey when she was in fourth grade on the flute. She had always loved how pretty the instrument was, and how beautiful it sounded. She had played the flute throughout elementary, middle, and most of high school. It wasn’t until high school when she inherited an old trumpet from her grandfather that she started to dabble with it. She then went on to play it in Frederick Community Colleges wind ensemble, as they were down a few trumpet players. Through her time at Frederick Community College she became proficient in music theory and playing piano as well. After transferring to Towson University to finish her degree, she participated in various ensembles, including the Towson Marching Band. She has been teaching private lessons since 2015 on flute, piano and trumpet. Using her music knowledge and talent plus her great ear and using ear training as an advantage to her teaching style. Lizzie knows that every student is an individual with different learning styles. She adapts her lessons and teaching style to suit each student while maintaing an element of fun and discovery.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
String Instruments
Sarah Stepanik: Violin, Viola and Fiddle
Sarah has been playing violin and fiddle since 2000. She grew up studying music at the Peabody Preparatory and Howard County Public School system including violin, music theory, composition, voice and dance. She started her professional performing career at age 18. Since then she has performed as a solo musician and performed with over 15 bands and has recorded over a dozen CDs.
In 2013, Sarah started teaching private lessons in classical violin, fiddle, and rock/heavy metal violin. In 2016 she started giving lectures on stage presence.
Sarah teaches violin and fiddle technique as well as individual musicality and stage presence. Each student will receive individualized training on whatever genre he or she chooses.
Currently, Sarah is involved with several bands and other musical projects. The three most popular are: The ShamRogues – Trad Irish Rock • Pirates for Sail – Trad sea chanties/folk songs • Sekengard – Folk Metal
Sarah welcomes the opportunity to teach violin and fiddle to students in the Limelight community.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Brooke Gebhardt: Cello and Piano
Brooke Gebhardt has two Associates Degrees from Carroll Community College: Fine Arts with a focus in music and Arts and Sciences with a concentration in creative writing. Early on in her childhood, Brooke developed a love for music. She has been playing piano since 2011 and was an active cellist in her school orchestras, being a part of All-County Orchestras from 2012-2018. Brooke also took the lead in creating the first symphony orchestra at South Carroll High School. Brooke played the xylophone and the bass drum in the South Carroll indoor drumline, and enjoyed being a member of the South Carroll theater’s pit band. She was a member of the Carroll Community Vocal Chamber Ensemble for over 2 years, and she actively teaches cello and piano.
Brooke’s musical style can be described as a little bit of everything and she loves experimenting with any type of music. She is passionate about teaching and sharing her love of music with others of all ages, ready to help her students reach their musical goals.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Hailey Leonard: Violin and Vocals
Brass and Woodwinds Instruments
Jeff Boone: Brass and Woodwind
Robert O'Neal: Trumpet
Robert O’Neal is a 2013 graduate of Frostburg State University, where he studied Music. He is certified in Pre-K-12 Music and in Middle School Social Studies. A product of the Carroll County Public School system, Robert has participated in local music ensembles for years. He has played Percussion (Drums, Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, and other orchestral instruments), Piano (Acoustic and Electronic), and Trumpet in local music ensembles in the county and in Western Maryland. Robert is well-versed in classical, jazz, and rock styles. He is also an experienced actor, and has participated in Theatre at the high school and college level, as Assistant Director for productions at Century High School, and recently as Band Director at North Carroll High School. He currently is on staff at South Carroll High School.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Sheila Nevius, Woodwind
Sheila Nevius is an Army veteran of 21 years. She served 13 years with The United States Army Field Band from Washington, D.C. and 8 years with the 257th Army Band from Washington, D.C. In each band Sheila was a featured soloist, saxophone section leader, clinician, and recitalist. Prior to the military, she earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Music in saxophone performance from the University of Illinois.
For the past 8 years Sheila taught instrumental music at Liberty Christian School, in Owings Mills, MD and recently left that position to focus on teaching Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, and Oboe in a private setting and to perform tenor saxophone with the Cornerstone Saxophone Quartet. The Quartet performs extensively throughout the greater Baltimore, D.C. and Virginia area. In addition, Sheila has been a saxophone instructor at Goucher College and the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Sheila brings a unique perspective to her teaching methods from her experience performing professionally for the American public in all 50 states for over 20 years. In addition, her experience teaching instrumental music in a school setting, and teaching woodwinds privately for over 30 years, allows her to get the student to achieve a high level of performance. Many of her students have won auditions into the all-county bands in both Howard and Carroll County. Several of her students have also been accepted into major music schools in the country.
Sheila is passionate about teaching and excited to share her love of music at Limelight Music School. She enjoys all styles of music and is very comfortable teaching any type of music from classical to jazz to students all ages.
Offering lessons in-person and virtually.
Lizzie Hushour: Flute, Trumpet
Lizzie started her musical journey when she was in fourth grade on the flute. She had always loved how pretty the instrument was, and how beautiful it sounded. She had played the flute throughout elementary, middle, and most of high school. It wasn’t until high school when she inherited an old trumpet from her grandfather that she started to dabble with it. She then went on to play it in Frederick Community Colleges wind ensemble, as they were down a few trumpet players. Through her time at Frederick Community College she became proficient in music theory and playing piano as well. After transferring to Towson University to finish her degree, she participated in various ensembles, including the Towson Marching Band. She has been teaching private lessons since 2015 on flute, piano and trumpet. Using her music knowledge and talent plus her great ear and using ear training as an advantage to her teaching style. Lizzie knows that every student is an individual with different learning styles. She adapts her lessons and teaching style to suit each student while maintaing an element of fun and discovery.
Offering lessons in-person and virtually.
Vocals
Ro Kane: Guitar, Vocals and Piano
Ro Kane graduated from Towson State University with a degree in Education and quickly fused her passion for teaching with her love for music. For 23 years Ro toured the Mid-Atlantic region as the lead female vocalist for one of Baltimore’s premier show bands, Ashtin Golt for which she arranged all vocal harmonies and choreography for the show. She started Blue Sky Entertainment group to expand her love for teaching music and began teaching piano which she’s been studying since the age of 6, teaching voice which she’s been performing since age 9 and studying most of her life, and teaching guitar which she’s been playing professionally for 20 years. She is currently performing in a vocal/ guitar duo with Nashville recording artist, Duffy Kane (Freedom Train Records) under the name Duffy and Ro.
As an instructor, Ro brings a unique performance based approach to teaching which enables her students to accomplish their performance aspirations and career goals. In collaboration with LimeLight Music School, Ro will also be starting a preschool music and movement program in addition to teaching, piano, voice and guitar to all ages.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Mike Lentino: Vocals
Michael began learning music with piano lessons when he was 5 years old. He began singing in elementary school chorus and was invited to perform with the Maryland All-State choir in Middle School. He has also studied drums, music history, and theory, through private lessons. He received vocal, guitar, and drum instruction at Carroll Community College and began playing local acoustic shows in 2009. He started a band, Feedback, in 2012, and has performed his original music at Maryland venues including Rams Head Live, Fish Head Cantina, and Towson University.
Michael brings a unique balance of performance experience, technique, and theory in his approach to lessons. He seeks to inspire confidence and a passion for music in future singers, songwriters, and performers.
Offering lessons virtually and in-person.
Amber Bates: Vocals
Hailey Leonard: Violin and Vocals
Jacob Miller: Vocals
Jacob Miller comes from a musical family and grew up watching his two older sisters perform regularly. He quickly followed in their footsteps, seizing every opportunity to sing and perform, whether that be on stage in a musical, at church, or simply to his neighbors while out doing yard work. He went on to study vocal music education at Frostburg State University.
Jacob has extensive performance experience, ranging from opera to musical theater to choral conducting. He has performed in venues across the country and has made appearances in film. Currently, Jacob is the musical director for the Players On Air theater company in Hampstead, where he recently received the Broadway World award for best musical director. Jacob has sung in many different styles, rock, pop, jazz, etc. and enjoys music in all forms.
This diverse background has given him the tools to provide instruction in many different styles. He has a solid foundation in classical singing and music theory but he can also provide unique insight into the world of performing. He has a passion for music that he loves to share with anyone who will listen. Jacob loves to teach and believes that given the right tools and techniques, anyone can make a beautiful sound.
Reach Us
Address
1341 West Liberty Rd.
Sykesville, MD 21784
Contact
410.549.1617
info@limelightmusicschool.com
Visit
M-F: 4pm – 8pm
Sat: 10am – 1pm