Serving: Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Lakeland, Valrico, Seffner, Riverview, Fishhawk, New Tampa, Carolwood, Oldsmar, Citrus Park, Sun City, Bradenton, Palmetto, Ruskin, Sarasota and all other Florida communities with quality instruments, services and lessons.

Meet Our Instructors

Bob Prong, Guitar Instructor:

• A New Yorker re-located in Tampa, Fl Bob Prong has been teaching at Store4strings for over 3 years.
• This is his 19^th year in professional music and he has taught literally thousands of people to play the guitar.
• During the 1990s Bob has earned a reputation for being one of New York's most successful entertainers, and in 1998 received some national recognition when his music was used as a background for the popular sports program NBA on TNT.
• In addition, Bob's critically acclaimed Salt of the Earth (1997) was played on Sirius radio (till 2004), had major distribution through Viacom distribution (till 2003) and still on cable radiothrough 2008, BMI.
• Along the way Bob logged in over 2000 performances either as a solo singer/guitarist or as a hired gun for countless bands, including stints as the bass player for the Ebony Magazine Fashion Fair tour in upstate NY from 1998-2000.
• Major Magazine Reviews: Casey Farrell of Real Magazine writes: "Classically trained with a yearning for rock and roll hero status, Prong's technical prowess and soulful creativity allow for no boundaries." Andrew MacDuffie of City magazine wrote "When an accomplished guitar player is the center of a band , it usually means a lot of endless guitar solos wedged into half baked songs. But Bob Prong is a team player; he demonstrates his superb playing by making it a part of his well crafted songs."
• Education: Bob earned his MBA degree at the State University of New York in 2002 at New Paltz Campus where he studied music composition along with his business course load. His undergraduate degree is a double major in Guitar Performance and Business Administration from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY in 1992.
• He puts this strong academic background and experience to use on a daily basis as a teacher, not only showing his students how to play guitar, but encouraging them to be well-rounded and set positive goals for their own personal success in academics, sports and the arts.
• 2009 article contributor to "Rock Guitar Power"Publications. His DVD "Licks, Licks, Licks" available through "Rock GuitarPower.com"
• USA.com article dated 09/11/09 "...them they share a great deal of experience with local and national acts. King has performed with artists ranging from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas to rapper Tone Loc. Tripi has played with Bob Prong and the Led Zeppelin tribute band Communication Breakdown..."

Daryal Erdem- Guitar ( All Forms/ Many Styles )

Including/Not Limited to: Classical, Rumba Flamenco, Jazz, Funk,

Fusion, Alternative, Rock, Mediterranean styles, and Fretless Eastern Style.

• Bachelor of Arts in Guitar Performance - Aquinas College (2006) Studied under Carlos de la Barerra
• Special Studies: Istanbul Bilgi University, School of Jazz (1997 - 1999)

Studied with: Neset Ruacan (Guitar), Aydin Esen (Improvisation) & Butch Morris (Ensemble work)

Northwestern Michigan College, Guitar Performance

Grand Valley State University, Guitar Performance

• Toured with Traverse City Band "Sick" (05/00 - 11/02)
• Toured with Tukseler Band as member: European pop stars (2003)
• Toured with European pop stars: Hakan Peker, Zafer Peker, Deniz Arcak and Gurkan ('95 - '99)
• Levent Erim Talk Show (Akmerkez) - House Guitar Player (1998)
• Music Videos - "Veresiye Olmaz" by Zafer Peker and "Ben Gunesim" by Volkan (1998)
• Lead Guitarist - ALIDAR, Ahmet Ozden Music. Produced and Released an album in Istanbul, Turkey (09/07)
• Studio Musician for:

SIRHOT, Rapper (03/07) - Recording new album coming summer 2009

Guner Metinkale, Producer (02/07)

Tarkan ve Ejder (01/07)

Recorded 7 songs for Joy FM

Nukhet Duru, Turkish Diva (12/06)

Ahmet Ozden of Ozden Studios -Istanbul, Turkey (Turkish Pop Idol Director) (06/05-08/05 & 12/07)

Burcin Sen, Turkish Pop Idol Winner, (9/05)

Natalia, International Pop Artist, (8/05) http://www.nataliasite.com

Over 15+ Yrs. Experience Instruction and Performance

Dan Comp                                                                                                                                                                                                             |

A Florida native, Dan has been playing and performing for over 13 years.  Dan teaches all forms of guitar:  Acoustic, Electric, Classical and Bass as well as Drums.  Dan's easy going, tailor-made approach to teaching conforms to each student's learning style optimizing the learning experience.   Dan also teaches disabled adults and youths, proving that if the interest is there the fire will build.  Dan has performed with Vertical Fall (band included members of TSO/Savatage/Circle2Circle), Malaki/DMF, 12 Gage Outlaws and as hired hand for many touring bands.  Dan has toured in both the USA and Germany.

David Colon - Violin and Piano

Music Coach for both orchestras (beginning - intermediate & advanced) grades 9 - 12

• Orchestra Coach - Riverview High School
• Current Music Major Student
• Concertmaster & Music Coach of the Pit Orchestra - Riverview Little Theatre
• Concert Master of HCC Community String Orchestra
• Performer of the Semester at HCC, String Division
• Concertmaster of the Rodgers Middle School Orchestra 2003 - 2004
• Concertmaster of the Riverview High School Orchestra 2004 - 2008
• Attended Pallavi Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts, director William Wiedrich

• Consistently rated in the top 10 rankings for Hillsborough County All-County Orchestra All years attended
• Community and Private function performances
• Over 11 years of playing experience
• Over 4 years of teaching experience

Renowned Musical "The Last 5 Years" and many others

Winner of the Young Artist Concerto Competition at the University of North Florida 2010 Symposium in Jacksonville, FL.

Concertmaster of the University of North Florida Chamber Orchestra 2101 Symposium in Jacksonville, FL.

Attended Masterclass by Dr. Simon Shiao

Ernest R. Guitar. Teaches in both English and Spanish. 7 yrs experience teaching and performing in high school and college in Puerto Rico.

Pete B. Guitar, mandolin and piano, 10 years playing and teaching experience. Studied under Professor Ann Hawkins, current USF student performs locally with his band.

Porsche Purkett - Violin and Piano

• USF Violin Performance Major
• Studying with Olga Dragilva
• Superior Ratings received at Solo and Ensemble Festival

4 consecutive years - Solo performances

• Taught Summer Music Program at Burgess Music Studio
• Robert Price Scholarship awarded for Musicianship
• Master Musician - High School
• Performed at Carnegie Hall
• Junior Philharmonic Symphony, High Orchestra - first violin section 3 yrs.
• All County Orchestra Performer 5 consecutive years
• All State Honors Performer
• Concertmaster - Middle School
• Community and Private function Performances
• Over 13 years Playing experience
• Over 5 years Teaching experience

Luis Q.  Woodwinds and brass instructor, has 4 years of playing and teaching experience and pursuing a degree in music performance.

Joshua E. Banjo, dulcimer and piano, 15 years of playing experience, studied at Georgia Southern University and River Bible College, performs privately and in the community.

David E. Welty: Guitar (All Forms), Piano and Saxophone

• BA in Music Performance, Ball State University, Muncie, IN
• MA in Ethnomusicology and Folklore, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• Special Studies:

Regent's College, London, England

Royal Academy of Music, London, England

Carl Duisberg Gesselschaft Language School, Cologne, Germany

• Provided Music Education Services to Indiana School System, Music Stores and Educational Facilities
• Choir Director and Song-Leader for North Delaware Baptist Church
• 17+ yrs experience in private and group instruction
• Languages: English, German, Swedish and Limited Spanish

Tony Copeland-Violin, Viola and Piano

• Pursuing a Violin Performance degree at USF
• Studying with Olga Dragieva
• Several superior ratings at Solo and Ensemble
• Performed with the Florida Youth Symphony Orchestra for 2 years
• Concert master at Plant City High School
• Performed locally with string quartet
• Involved with the Brandon Youth Orchestra as a Pit Orchestra member
• 8 years playing experience

Allison Duncan- Voice, Beginning Guitar, Piano

• Florida State University - Choral Music Education Major (Junior Yr.)
• 2 years plus Teaching Experience
• Performance Experience - 6 plus yrs. (Includes 12 Lead Roles)

Stagedoor Productions: The Sound of Music (Nun, Maria) & Fiddler on the Roof

Newsome High School Drama Dept: South Pacific, Oklahoma, Little Shop of Horrors & Hello Dolly

Riverview Summer Workshop: Grease & Once On This Island

Newsome High School Music Dept: Blast From the Past (2006 , 2007), Elite Showchoir 4 yrs.

Additional Performances:  Parade, Oklahoma, Les Miserables (Cosette, twice), Aida, West Side Story (Maria & Gladstone),

Songs for a New World, Clue: The Musical, Jekyll & Hyde & Pirates of Penzance

• Vocal Range: Soprano and Alto (range Soprano I to Alto I)
• Musical Director for theatre programs - 2plus yrs.
• Choral Director's Assistant - 2 yrs.
• Choral conducting experience
• MPA: Solo & Ensemble, 4 yrs.

District Solo, 4 yrs., Superior rating; Ensemble 4 yrs. Superior rating

State Solo, 2 yrs, Superior rating; Ensemble 2 yrs Superior rating

• All-County Honor Choir, 5 yrs.
• All-County Jazz Choir, 3 yrs.
• Multiple All-State Choirs, 4 yrs.
• Five Years Classical Piano Training
• Piano Accompanist
• Six plus year experience in a worship band
• Honors: Choral Director's Leadership Award (2007)

Hillsborough County Master Musician Medalist (2004)

Miles. E. Green

Education:

Music Theory Major, Minor in Psychology, Michigan State University, 1990-1993, Lansing, Michigan

3.5 cumulative G.P.A.

Associates Degree-Performing Arts and Music Theory, Lansing Community College, 1988-1990, Lansing, Michigan

4.0 cumulative G.P.A.

Music Employment:

Sales Associate-Drum Department, Marshall Music, Lansing, Michigan, 1985-1989

Percussion Instruments Instruction/Private Tutor, Lansing, Michigan, 1990-1993

Musical Experience:

Drummer/Percussionist, Bass player, Vocalist, numerous touring performance bands, Michigan and across U.S., 1976-2002

U.S. Navy Marching Band, 1980-1984

Katherine Abbey - voice, piano, stage performance (all forms and styles)

BM (Vocal Performance - secondary in organ) - Florida Southern College

Minor in Music Education

Professional performance work:

• Various musical theater
• Tampa Bay Opera (now Opera Tampa)
• Florida Pro Musica
• Regular solo, ensemble, and band work

Professional teaching work:

• Over 15 years of private studio teaching
• Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts

Professional directing work:

• 11 years as a music director working with soloists, small ensembles, bands, and large groups (25+) of vocalists and instrumentalists

Kylla Murphy: Cello

Chris Barbosa: Viola, Violin and Piano

Chris has been playing Violin, Viola and Piano for ten years and has taught for the last four years.

Chris has performed at several notable venues which include the Marsani Hall at the Performing Arts Center in Tampa as well as Carnegie Hall in New York City.

During Chris' time spent with the Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra he was the Principle Violinist.  Chris performed in both the "All-State" and "All-County" music festivals, from 2004 - 2007.

Currently Chris is a student at USF studying Viola Performance; previously he studied at FSU.  In addition to his studies, Chris composes and writes music.

Josh Cannon: Guitar and Drums

Do you have what it takes?  You'll never know if you never try!   You're never too young or too old to learn something new.  Students range in age from 4 to 94 and all share a passion for music.

Josh teaches All forms of guitar; Acoustic, Electric, Classical and Bass as well as Drums.  What started out as an interest in music has led to a way of life for Josh who has been playing for over 12 years and performing for almost as many.  Currently and over the past several years Josh has performed locally with:

Matt Leporte (John Oliva, Trans Siberian Orchestra)

Smokin' Joe (Brandon Legend)

Rob Burnett (Cannibal Corpse) (Morbid Angel)

Ed Wright (Legend of Brandon)

Daryl Davis (Legend of D.C., Piano/Keyboard)

Lee Harrison (Monstrosity)

Derreck Jive and Funky Five (Mario)

Stephanie Guajardo

Experience

2009-2010 Madison Middle School and Sligh Middle School, Tampa FL

Hillsborough County Schools Secondary Music

Orchestra Director/String Specialist

Directed orchestra at two middle schools.

Maintained Music Library, repaired instruments, taught curriculum, administered music assessments, many performances including state fair, universal studios, fall and spring concerts, MPA's, Classroom management implemented, conducted the orchestras.  Earned outstanding in several areas of teacher evaluation.

Madison earned Excellent at Music Performance Assessments

2008-2009         Muller Magnet School of the Performing Arts          Tampa, FL

Strings Specialist/Music Teacher

Taught Keyboard, Chorus, and Strings every day.

I also taught  elective Chamber Orchestra, and Co-taught  guitar elective.  Chamber Orchestra students all participants in Fine Arts Honors festival for Hillsborough County.

2007-2008     Hillsborough County Strings Specialist  Hillsborough County, FL

Orchestra Director and String Specialist

Middle school Orchestra Director, Jennings Middle School. Led students to Master Musician and All State Honors Festival.

Managed 5 elementary school assignments in addition to Jennings Middle school:  James Elem., Sheehy Elem., Schmidt Elem., River Hills Elem., and Hunter's Green Elem.

2006-2007         Florida Arts School                                       Tampa, FL

Studio Violin Instructor

2006-2007

Taught Violin Lessons , ages 3-18 years.

Studio Instructor, violin

• currently attending University of South Florida, pursuing a BM in violin performance
• currently studying under JT Posadas
• part of USF Symphony Orchestra and various chamber music ensembles
• 8 years of playing experience
• played in Sarasota Youth Orchestra from 2002-2008
• currently helping orchestra students at Monroe Middle School with sectionals and private lessons

SCOTT LYON - GUITAR AND DRUMS

• 8 years playing and performing experience
• Teaches all styles of guitar: Blues, Rock, Funk, Reggae, Jazz, Classical and Bass
• Educated by Bob Fisher (Philadelphia Blues guitarist)
• Emphasis on getting students comfortable with improvising and jamming with other musicians
• Current student at USF
• Currently performs locally with Blues/Funk Band

Didi Kim - Violin

ATTENTION! Experienced Violin Teacher has come to the city of Tampa all the way from South Korea!

Didi has been performing and teaching violin and piano for 15 years and Drums for 9 years. Currently Didi is active in the music community as:

-Tampa Bay Symphony Orchestra (First Violin)

-University of Tampa Orchestra (as a Concert master)

-University of Tampa Piano Trio

-University of Tampa String Quartet (Lead violin)

She has played with various local bands.

For Didi there has been more to becoming an experienced teacher than just the number of years she has been playing or how many orchestras she has played with, it has all been about her passion for the music! Didi is all about teaching. Her enthusiasm, excitement and experience make her a natural talent and give her that all important leading edge. Teaching others to play is a dream come true!