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, 40+ years of piano teaching, 20+ years of homeschooling and creator and director of Vessels of G.O.L.D. in 2001.  Growth Opportunities for Learning and Development (GOLD) was followed by summer camps and the Talents Unleashed studio. Since that time, Aureus, Chrysos, Vessels Vault and now Nuggets of GOLD have been added to the list.

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 twelve years. She has experience in tap, jazz, flamenco, waltz and swing dancing. She is entering her first competitive Irish dance season in Spring 2018, and is a Senior  Contemporary Company member at her studio. Though she loves all styles of dance, Ballet is her passion, and this year she has had the opportunity to study Ballet at Miami Dade College. She has helped choreograph for A Midsummer Night's Dream, Chrysos, and Vessels in the past. 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 2017-18 school year.

Emily Nuñez 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 has performed with them in four original productions.  She is currently the Co-Director and Head of Choreography for Vessels of G.O.L.D. and Vessels Vault; she also had the honor of directing Chrysos in five wonderful productions over the past few years.

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 for her vocal performance.  She has taken vocal lessons for the past eight years and continues her vocal study with Colleen Amaya. 

She is currently the Co-Director of Talents Unleashed as well as a private vocal instructor. 

Nicholas Paredes has been a part of the TU family since 2014, and has spent each year in Vessels of G.O.L.D. and various music lessons. Since graduating high school this past year, he has moved into Aureus, as well as teaching music classes and private lessons.

Nicholas has had around 12 years of private piano instruction, and wants to be able to pass on some of that knowledge to anyone who wants to learn. He is currently teaching many students piano and theory, as well as directing Memories of G.O.L.D., a performing group dedicated to learning older songs and performing them to elderly citizens in retirement homes, hospitals, and similar venues.

His true passion lies with the older generations, and plans on earning a degree in Music Therapy.

Owen Braniff has been part of the Talents Unleashed community since he was 8.  He is beginning his freshman year and 4th year of Vessels of GOLD. He has loved music all his life, starting with the viola at 5, and meddling with piano for a few years.  He has been studying guitar for a year and a half, and is eager to share what he knows with others.