Merry Spagnuolo
Merry Spagnuolo is a music educator and performer based in Odessa, Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of South Florida School of Music.
Her student-teaching journey includes internships at Starkey Ranch K-8, where she taught general music and band, and at Dr. John Long Middle School where she taught choir and musical theatre. Currently, she serves as a cantor and co-director of the children’s choir at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Additionally, she teaches private music lessons in voice, ukulele, beginning piano, music theory, and aural skills.
As a coloratura soprano, she has performed with the USF Chamber Singers, USF University Singers, Opera Tampa’s choir, Patel Conservatory Women’s Ensemble, Florida All State Choirs, and many more outstanding ensembles. She then further honed her craft at the Austrian American Mozart Academy (AAMA) in Salzburg, Austria, performing her opera debut as Fraulein Silberklang in Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor.
Rachel Hertz
Rachel Hertz is a passionate music educator and flutist based in Tampa, Florida. A graduate of the University of South Florida’s School of Music, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 2023, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Rachel’s love for music began in elementary school with the flute and grew to include voice and multiple instruments. While at USF, she led the Symphonic Band flute section, directed flute choir rehearsals, and launched the Arts Inclusivity Project. She also interned in music education and contributed to Rising Tide Music Press.
She spent two years teaching private lessons through Rockatar Music Academy, working with students of all ages on flute, piano, voice, violin, and more. Today, Rachel teaches general music at the elementary level and is passionate about building strong, inclusive programs in under-served communities. In her first year at Southern Oak Elementary, she helped expand the chorus from 12 to 86 students—a testament to her belief in the transformative power of music education.