SOFA Faculty

Rhonda Johnson – Director
Desiring to see students reach their full potential, it is our goal to employ instructors with the same goal.  Teachers who want to see students thrive in their abilities and compliment their God-given talents with great training.  Our director has been involved in training and performance for the vast majority of her life ~ all for the glory of God.  May we help others to achieve this great desire.
 
Mrs. Johnson has been instructing in piano and voice for the past 33 years.  She came to Auburndale in Aug of 2005 with her husband Tom Johnson as he was called to pastor FBCA. Soon after coming to Auburndale, the Johnsons felt strongly that a School of Fine Arts was needed to train students in the arts that they might use their God-given talents and abilities to glorify Him.  In the Spring of 2014, First Baptist embarked on this mission as an extension of 
the music ministry of the church.  “It is exciting to see how God is using the school to help students realize their potential and discover their talents.  I pray they will always do everything they do to the best of their ability to display God’s glory and grace.”

Chasity Smith –  Piano Instructor

Miss Smith is a Piano Performance graduate from Southeastern University.She is classically trained in piano and has been playing for 16 years. While in college, she  accompanied her fellow students and played for events both in and out of the college venue.

She has been teaching for several years, and her main goal is to spark and grow a love for music in her students as well as provide a space where students feel free to express themselves leading them to a higher and more well-rounded understanding of music.

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Hannah Bohlen – Violin Instructor

Miss Bohlen is a music major at Southeastern University. She is from Bismarck, ND, and has been playing violin for 16 years. She has been featured as a soloist with multiple orchestras, receiving 2 Outstanding Performance Awards. She has played professionally with Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra from 2017-2023 and Panama City Symphony Orchestra from 2019-2021. Hannah has many other qualifications in violin and voice.

Miss Bohlen has a passion for sharing the gift of music through performing, teaching, and passing on the gift to whoever has the desire to learn. She is excited that she has the opportunity to teach students how to steward their God given talents and explore the beauty and wonder of music. .

 
 

Taylor Grace Wise – Voice, Piano, Guitar Instructor

Taylor Grace is a student at Southeastern University currently pursuing a degree in Family Ministry and Vocal Performance. From Nashville, Tennessee, Taylor has grown up surrounded by music. She has been in active music lessons for 10 years and taken part in many performance and teaching opportunities in her town. Apart from worship leading at church and being a youth theatre teacher, Taylor has also been a session singer in Nashville for 8 years. She has sung in the Nashville Christmas Parade, and recorded for companies such as: Sea World San Diego, Warner Bros. Music, Lifeway, Disney Jr., American Girl Doll, Mattel, and MGA Entertainment.
 
Giving the glory back to God, Taylor is so excited and honored to help other student’s steward their gifts from Him. She has a strong passion for coaching and hopes to encourage kids while keeping their passion for music alive and well and glorifying God through it!
 
Anna Esmond – Drum and Piano Instructor
Miss Esmond is a Southeastern University student who is currently studying Speech Pathology with a minor in Music. Anna has taught piano and drum lessons for over six years and loves to help her student’s to better their talents. She has been playing piano since the age of five and drums since age six.
 
Glorifying the Lord by playing music is something she strives to accomplish with every student she teaches!
Guy McMillen – Guitar Instructor
Mr. McMillen is native to central Florida. He attended Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland, Florida where he studied under classical guitarist Dr. Robert Phillips. He has competed in Ohio against 50 guitarists nationwide and won a $12,000 scholarship to Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Guy also worked with the Missing Piece Theater in the production of Disney’s Newsies playing genres such as rhythm guitar, lead guitar, rock, ragtime, jazz, and Broadway. He is currently working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Biblical Studies.
Guy enjoys sharing his knowledge and skill by teaching music lessons and is excited to begin with the School of Fine Arts this year. His faith is seen and heard in and through him as he communicates with others. 
Audry Hunt – Piano Instructor
Miss Hunt is a student at Southeastern University in Lakeland, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in piano performance. Audry has been around music her whole life. Besides the fact that she started lessons when she was 3, her mother, grandmother, sister, and many other family members are musicians, specifically pianists and piano teachers. Audry has always wanted to be a pianist and has received superior ratings in all of her competitions.
 
Audry not only sees the value of learning music and being a musician but also in giving God all of the glory in everything she does. He has given her a passion for teaching and music and Audry is excited to use that passion in teaching at First Baptist Church.

 

LaNelle McGaffigan  – Dance Instructor
Mrs. McGaffigan started ballet at an early age and has always enjoyed using her dance to praise the Lord.  She is experienced in Ballet, Point, Tap, and Sign Language. She is trained in the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet. “Our bodies can be used to glorify and praise God in many ways. Dancing is one exciting and healthy way to do that, but also it provides a way to share our hope in a moving, captivating way with those who are watching.” 

Teaching young girls to praise the Lord through movement is one of her greatest pleasures. LaNelle received her training in Jackson, MS. She is married to Drew McGaffigan, and they have three little girls. She is a graduate of Warner University in Lake Wales.  
 

Mireille Johnson – Dance Instructor

Miss Johnson has been dancing from a young age. She began with SOFA as an assistant teacher for 5 years before becoming a teacher. She brings experience in many genres of dance (tap, modern, jazz, pointe, hip hop) as well as being trained in the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet as a student and a teacher..

Mireille has a special gift in performance and in teaching. She believes in excellence, and it is her desire to bring glory to Jesus in all that she does and to teach others to do the same.