Jupiter Academy of Music instructors

BIO🔥 For August Kokus, music is a world to explore, not merely a set of notes to master. A West Palm Beach native and JAM instructor since 2023, he began studying piano at the age of six. His lessons balance an easygoing atmosphere with purposeful progress in musical discovery, sight-reading and scales. He enjoys “cultivating” musical ideas as if they were living things, patiently shaping phrases until they grow into something expressive. August holds a 2024 diploma and an Associate of Arts degree from Palm Beach State College. His favorite composer is Alexander Scriabin, particularly his Symphony No. 3, The Divine Poem; he also deeply appreciates Gustav Mahler, Johann Strauss II, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Richard Wagner. Beyond JAM, he founded The MayaNut Company, Inc., devoted to cultivating the Maya nut tree (Brosimum alicastrum). He speaks French and jokes that “generic” is his least favorite word. August is the son of fellow JAM instructor Gregory Kokus.

BIO🥁 Brad Schechter's life in music began in New York City's Greenwich Village, where his father—a professional musician and music educator who played on Broadway and with orchestras across the Northeast—introduced him to the world of performance. Brad was playing alongside his father by age seven. At 16, he took his first full-time professional engagement at the famed Catskills resort hotels. After studying music at SUNY New Paltz, he joined a rock-and-roll revue at 21 and spent seven years performing throughout Europe. He eventually settled in Switzerland, founded Brad's Music Academy, taught music in English and French, and continued performing at events, clubs, restaurants and ski resorts. Brad, a father himself, moved with his family to South Florida in 2009, when he joined the Jupiter Academy of Music teaching staff. In 2019, following a decade at JAM, he became Owner and Director as longtime owner Sandra Baran prepared to retire. Primarily a drummer, Brad also teaches piano, guitar, bass and ukulele. He has helped develop the academy's Rock Band Program from one band into four groups, giving young musicians a place to rehearse and perform together. Across every instrument and experience level, his philosophy is simple: “Music should be fun!”

BIO❄️ From Vermont to Nashville to South Florida, guitarist Gary Frost has built a career around live music, songwriting and the connections musicians make. Performing professionally since 1985, he toured across the United States and internationally before pursuing original acoustic music in Nashville. Since moving to Stuart in 1993, he has performed both solo and with groups including Night Train, Big Vince & the Phat Cats and Acoustic Soul. His stage experience includes opening for Dr. John, Loverboy, The Knack and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. As an instructor, Gary values not only stronger guitar skills but also the confidence, self-expression and sense of musical community students can gain.

BIO🏄‍♂️ Gregory Kokus brings more than 25 years of professional teaching and performance experience to JAM. Born in Hollywood, Florida, he has performed more than 7,000 times in Palm Beach County, from clubs, private events and festivals to touring Broadway theater productions. Greg has worked with students of many ages and abilities, including as band director at Palm Beach County Day Academy and an instructor at Dreyfoos School of the Arts. He holds an Associate of Arts degree and studied music education at Florida Atlantic University. Before joining JAM, he worked at George’s Music and Absolute Music. Greg is the father of fellow JAM instructor August Kokus. Greg's broad performance background gives students a practical perspective on making music with others.

BIO🗣️ James Binion, Jr. has sung on stages across North America and Europe. His musical journey began with the Atlanta Boy Choir, whose tours took him throughout the United States and to England, Scotland, Germany, Italy, Russia, Finland and Canada. He later sang with the Morehouse College Glee Club and served as its student director. A graduate of Morehouse College and Cleveland State University, James's credits include performances of Porgy and Bess with the Atlanta Opera Chorus in France and Spain, as well as the 2012 international broadcast Celebrating 50 Years of Americans in Space, honoring NASA and John Glenn. He brings that extensive ensemble experience to the study of voice.

BIO🎺 Trumpeter and brass educator Jim Estes combines decades of private teaching with orchestral, brass-band and classroom experience. His students have earned places in district honor ensembles, while his own performing roles have included Principal Trumpet with The Academy Orchestra and South Florida Philharmonic and Principal Solo Cornet with the Orchid City Brass Band. Jim earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also served as a graduate assistant at the University of Miami, completed doctoral coursework and qualifying examinations in Music Education, and holds National Board Certification as a teacher.

BIO✨ Piano teacher and performer JoAnn Floyd grew up making music with her father, a professional drummer, and was appearing in bands alongside him by her teens. She studied music at Suffolk Community College and Hofstra University and pursued piano studies with Blanche Abrams, Mark Hyams and jazz pianist Marian McPartland. Alongside her husband, guitarist, singer and author Tom Floyd, JoAnn has performed in hotels, restaurants, country clubs and resorts from Maine to Miami. Through decades of performing, she has maintained a commitment to teaching piano to students of all ages, bringing both stage experience and personal encouragement to the lesson room.

BIO🎹 Karen Miller approaches the piano as both a musical discipline and a source of lasting enrichment. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in music theory from Goucher College and is a member of the Palm Beach County Music Teachers Association. Her musical education includes work with Roselle Plow of the Prague Conservatory and Sylvia Glickman of Haverford College. Karen values the beauty and therapeutic possibilities of music and seeks to share those qualities through piano instruction.

BIO🎵 Katey Thompson is listed among JAM's clarinet and piano instructors. An updated biography is being prepared; for information about her teaching approach, current lessons and availability, please contact the academy directly.

BIO🎺 Paul Destito brings a lifetime of ensemble performance and music education to brass instruction, including tuba. A retired Palm Beach County teacher and longtime private tutor, he served as assistant band director at Bak Middle School of the Arts. Paul studied at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, New York, and Northern Illinois University, with teachers including Tony Maiello, Elliot DelBorgo and Arnold Jacobs. His performing experience includes the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and local ensembles. His recognition in Florida education includes nine Teacher of the Year honors across Martin and Palm Beach counties, four Dwyer Award finalist selections and the 2019 Educational Foundation of Palm Beach County Dwyer Award for Excellence in Middle School Teaching.

BIO🎹 Raised in a musical family, Sandra Baran began teaching, performing, accompanying and working as a church musician while still a teenager in New Jersey. She holds a Master of Arts in music from Florida Atlantic University and belongs to the Palm Beach County Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Her experience spans preschool instruction, college courses at FAU, church music in Palm Beach Gardens and private piano lessons for beginner through advanced students. A longtime figure in the academy's history, Sandra continues to perform locally as a pianist and vocalist while sharing her experience with students.

BIO🎹 Teresa Olowin's musical journey began as a student at Jupiter Academy of Music, where she studied for 11 years—starting piano at six and voice at eight. She earned a bachelor's degree in Music, with a specialization in Music Education, from Barry University in 2021. Teaching piano since 2018, she has worked with students in private and group settings, both online and in person. Teresa draws on Kodály- and Gordon-informed approaches to strengthen musical literacy and develop skills that carry beyond any one piece of music.

BIO🎹 Pianist, composer and educator Tiffany Goff brings an eclectic creative background and more than 15 years of experience teaching piano. Her work as both a performer and creator informs her lessons and offers students a perspective on music that goes beyond simply reproducing notes. Tiffany draws on her varied experience to guide students as they develop their own musical skills and interests.

BIO🥋 Jazz guitarist, author and educator Tom Floyd has spent decades performing, recording and teaching across several musical styles. He wrote Quartal Harmony and Voicings for Guitar, published by Mel Bay, and spent eight years as an adjunct Professor of Jazz Guitar at Florida Atlantic University. His recording work has taken him to Florida and Nashville, and his studies include work with Pat Martino, Jack Wilkins, Chuck Wayne, Sal Salvador and Don Arnone. Tom teaches jazz, rock, classical, blues and country through an individualized approach that integrates guitar technique, theory and versatility. His wife, pianist and fellow JAM instructor JoAnn Floyd, shares his longstanding life in music.