Talents Unleashed

Debra Arce-Carr has participated in music and performance almost her entire life! Beginning as a pianist, then accompanist, she received her AA in music from St. Petersburg College and her BA in Music Education from the University of Central Florida.  

Her years of experience include music church work in English and Spanish-speaking churches, 35+ years of piano teaching, 20+ years of homeschooling, creator and director of Vessels of G.O.L.D., then Growth Opportunities for Learning and Development, Talents Unleashed summer camps and other new performing groups.  She loves the creativity and always-changing canvas of talents and ideas that pass her way.  Her desire is to provide wholesome, creative environments, outlets and experiences for performers, teachers and audiences in the performing arts.  

Soli Deo Gloria!

Abigail Braniff has been dancing for over ten years. She has experience in Irish dancing, tap, jazz, flamenco, and social dancing, and is a Lyrical and Ballet Pointe Company member at her studio. Abigail loves performing, trying new styles and techniques, choreographing, and teaching. She has been part of Talents Unleashed since 2013, taking classes, participating as a Vessels member, and as a volunteer.  She is excited to return as a performer and teacher for the 2016-17 school year.

Elizabeth Eder has been dancing for 10 years. She enjoys dancing ballet, lyrical, contemporary, and jazz as well as choreographing her own dances. She has been in many performances and also performed with Flash Mob America. Aside from dance she's been taking yoga for more than 5 years. Dance and teaching are two of her greatest passions.

Zuli teaches Shakespeare and violin at the studio. Her favorite and most cherished accomplishment is being the mother of four amazing boys. She has been homeschooling for 17 years. She also holds a double-major degree in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Miami and a Master of English Education from Florida International University. Zuli earned both of the child-brain development certificates offered at the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, PA where she learned how to fully develop the "Multiply your Baby's Intelligence" program at home. She has been involved in Classical Conversations for the past three years where her sons have been able to attain the Memory Master certificates. She loves the Suzuki Method which is how all of her children started on their violins and cello. She currently manages their quartet, "Time for Four" and loves to share her 13 + years of tips with parents teaching them how to be great practice partners to their kids. Zuli was blessed to participate in many plays during her elementary years at her beloved private school and as an adult has written and led several works at different church programs. Above all else, Zuli believes God's love is so great that once you've experienced it, you will never be the same.

Adam Rothkopf is 16 years old and is a proud homeschooler.  He has been playing musical instruments since preschool, and has loved music since he was an infant.  He is currently in the better half of his second year playing guitar, and has loved the instrument dearly ever since he received his preliminary training from Chris Hemelberg.  Because of his nine years of experience in the performing arts, this exposure carries over to his teaching and performing abilities.  He has performed songs on guitar at a wide variety of open mic nights, classes, and shows over the past year, and usually plays his guitar several times a day.  

Emily Nuñez is a former member of Vessels of G.O.L.D.  She was a performing member of Vessels of G.O.L.D. for 10 years before taking up the position of Assistant Director.

She then helped to found  Aureus Theater Group and performed with them for two show seasons.  She is currently the Co-Director and Head of Choreography for Vessels of G.O.L.D. Troupe and Vessels of G.O.L.D. Studio, and the Director of Chrysos. 

Emily performed at the 2011 Miami Music Teachers Foundation Jazz Festival and 2011 MMTF Jazz Festival Honors recital and has received awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing.  

She currently teaches private voice lessons at the studio of Talents Unleashed. 

Santiago Diez is an amateur artist. He loves working with various mediums and trying out different styles, but his favorite is realism in pencil drawing. Santi has won awards for his art, and has illustrated an ebook.

Santi is 16, and a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has been training in this martial art along with Aikido for 6+ years. He has served much at his dojo by teaching, training, judging belt testing, and teaching assistant, and in all, has worked with all ages and levels of training. He is a member of South Miami Tae Kwon Do. 

Cristina Fernandez has been taking Ballet and Tap since she was 3 years old. She also has some experience in Lyrical and Social Dance. Through her dance studio, she has volunteered at various studio and community performances as well as helping with Dance with DisAbilities. Cristina played the part of the “Clueless Ballerina” in the stand-out performance in the Vessels of Gold 215 show “Perfection.” Cristina has taken violin since the age of 7 and has had 2 years of teaching experience.

Hope Mucklow grew up in West Central Pennsylvania.  She earned a small cello scholarship at West Virginia University where she earned her B.S. in Secondary Education in Biology and General Science.   Ms. Mucklow taught secondary science in pubic schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland for 8 years and coached high school swimming for 2 years at her high school alma mater.  She's transferred these teaching and coaching experiences into teaching beginner piano. Raising her daughter through the toddler and pre-school years she found herself singing to her daughter songs to motivate her.  She uses singing to help young children learn piano who may not be reading fully yet. Therefore, she welcomes and encourages children to start piano lessons as young as 4 years of age.  But no worries if your 7, 8, or 9 year old hasn't started yet.