Our Team
Leadership Team
LyriCo Founders
The LyriCo Founders have decades of education experience and has performed on stages all over the world. We are excited to share world class training with our conservatory members.
Cooper Nolan
Cooper Nolan has gained recognition as a leading interpreter of some of opera’s most challenging tenor roles. Described as having a “bright, shining tenor” by Musical America and hailed for his “powerhouse voice” by Opera News, Cooper’s performances captivate audiences and critics alike.
Cooper made his Carnegie Hall debut in Elgar’s The Kingdom with the American Symphony Orchestra, showcasing his exceptional vocal prowess. His talents have also graced the stages of prestigious opera houses, including Frankfurt Oper and Santa Fe Opera. Recently, Cooper’s portrayal of Hermann in Pique Dame at Theatre Aachen received high praise, with BRF Nachrichten noting that “the singing was on a very remarkable level on the premiere evening. The tenor Cooper Nolan masters the demanding role of Hermann vocally with flying colors.”
A proud member of Opus 3 Artist Management, Cooper Nolan continues to make his mark on the opera world. He holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Florida.
For more information, visit CooperNolan.com.
Lori Guilbeau Nolan
Lori Guilbeau is celebrated for her “beautiful tone and a graceful sense of phrasing,” as praised by The New York Times. As a dramatic soprano, Lori has graced the stages of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall.
Lori’s voice can be heard on several recordings made at the Met and Carnegie Hall, as well as other renowned venues with orchestras around the globe. Her extraordinary talent has earned her numerous awards, including the Grand Prize of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the George London/Leonie Rysanek Award from the George London Foundation, and the first prize in the Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition.
Lori is also a dedicated educator and a proud member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music.
For more information, visit LoriGuilbeau.com.
LyriCo Leadership
Morgan Anderson-Keller
Head of Education. Head of Programming. Voice.
Morgan Anderson is a skilled vocal coach and performer, specializing in teaching musical theatre, jazz, and popular music, with a particular focus on healthy belting techniques that feel effortless, rooted in classical vocal principles. Throughout her career, Morgan has gained extensive performance experience, particularly in New York, where she starred in several off-Broadway productions and performed with award-winning choirs and vocal groups. She is also a passionate educator, holding a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a Master of Music in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Originally from Gainesville, Morgan’s journey into music and performance began early. She starred in several local shows, performing at venues like the Hippodrome Theatre and Gainesville Community Theatre before heading to college to further her musical studies and career.
LyriCo Faculty
Lara
Thompson
Dance
Dance Chair
Lara Thompson, a Gainesville native, began her dance training at Pofahl Dance Studios and performed with Next Generation and Dance Alive National Ballet. She was a University of Florida Dazzler and later danced with the Kentucky Repertory Ballet. Lara holds a master’s degree in nursing science and taught ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop at Pofahl for over ten years. Passionate about making dance accessible and expressive, Lara is excited to bring her experience to LyriCo as the founder of the innovative Dance for Singers class.
Molly
Diblin
Voice
Piano
Molly Diblin has over a decade of vocal experience and has performed in major works such as Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and Mozart’s Coronation Mass—with appearances at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Dr. Phillips Center. She studied music at Rollins College, Santa Fe College, and the University of Florida, and has trained extensively in the Trish McCaffrey vocal technique. Molly currently teaches at LyriCo Conservatory, bringing four years of experience teaching voice and piano to students of all ages and levels.
Christopher Lavoie
Bass
Drums
Guitar
Ukelele
Guitar Setup
Christopher Lavoie is a versatile bassist, drummer, and guitar technician with a passion for teaching. A Miami native and seasoned performer, Chris now shares his expertise with students at LyriCo Conservatory. Known for his clear instruction and supportive approach, he helps students build strong foundations and discover their unique musical voice.
Sophie
De
Violin
Sophie De is a Gainesville-based violinist pursuing her Music Performance degree at the University of Florida under Dr. Janna Lower, where she is also a 1st violin member of the UF Symphony Orchestra. She began her training in Armenia, earning a First-Class Diploma from the Al. Hekimyan Professional Music School. Passionate about music education, Sophie has taught music school students in Armenia and served as a violin section teacher and concertmaster for the Alachua County Youth Orchestra. A multi-award-winning soloist, she won the FSMTA Senior String Competition and the David Hubbell Concerto Competition, alongside international prizes in Switzerland and Serbia. Her extensive orchestral credits include performing as a substitute with the Gainesville Orchestra and serving as concertmaster under Itzhak Perlman for the PMP Super Strings Orchestra.
Rikki
Baynard
Acting
Acting Chair
Rikki Baynard is a classically trained actor and teaching artist with a background in musical theatre and literature. A graduate of Circle in the Square Theatre School and the University of Florida, she brings a blend of performance skill and academic insight to her work. Gainesville audiences may recognize her from Cabaret, No Exit, and The Importance of Being Earnest. Rikki is passionate about helping students explore story, structure, and self-expression through the arts.
Alek Concepción Rivera
Choir
Alek Naúl Concepción Rivera is a dynamic conductor, vocalist (tenor/countertenor), and music educator from Puerto Rico. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Florida. Alek has served on the music faculty in Washington, D.C., and currently teaches Choral Music and IB Music at Eastside High School in Gainesville. He brings his passion for excellence, inclusivity, and artistic growth to every lesson.
Joseph
Freeman
Guitar
Tuba
Trombone
Baritone
Joseph Freeman is a multi-instrumentalist and educator specializing in tuba, classical and jazz guitar, and rock performance. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from UTC, where he studied under Dr. Kenyon Wilson and Stephen Brannen. Joseph has performed in orchestras, marching bands, and rock groups, and has taught through R.I.S.E. Chattanooga, Cadek Conservatory, and more. Outside of music, he enjoys disc golf, the outdoors, and time with his cat, Eamon.
Hannah
Gobin
Piano
Hannah Gobin is a pianist with over sixteen years of experience, specializing in classical repertoire. She is passionate about helping students build both confidence and technical skill at the piano. She has performed in college recitals as well as in musical theatre productions at the Alchemy Club in Gainesville, experiences that have shaped her versatile approach to music and teaching. While classical music remains her first love, Hannah also plays jazz to broaden her perspective and bring new ideas into her playing and teaching. Hannah is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in English at the University of Florida. Outside of music, she enjoys reading, roller skating, and spending time outdoors.
Emma
Upright
Dance
Emma Upright has been passionate about dance since the age of three. At just eight years old, she joined No Limits Dance Studio and began competing by the age of ten. Trained in a variety of styles—ballet, contemporary, modern, tap, acro, jazz, and improv—Emma brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the dance floor. A graduate of Oakleaf High School, Emma pursued business studies alongside her dance education. She majored in Dance at Florida State College at Jacksonville, where she was also an accomplished member and student choreographer for the school’s dance company, DanceWorks. Since 8th grade, Emma has been sharing her love for dance as a teaching assistant, and she continues to inspire young dancers today. She taught ballet and contemporary for a couple years to young dancers at her old studio. Her passion for performance shines through in everything she does, whether on stage or in the classroom. Emma is a rising senior at UF and is working toward her BA in Dance, with a minor in Mass Communications. She plans to teach, choreograph, and be a social media manager.
Allysa
Packard-Hansen
Voice
Allysa Packard Hansen is an accomplished soprano whose love of music has taken her to stages in China, Italy, Prague, and throughout the U.S. She has performed as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah, sung chorus in Verdi’s Nabucco with Washington Concert Opera, and starred in the U.S. premiere of La Pauvre Eugénie. Favorite roles include the Countess (Le nozze di Figaro), Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus), and Madame Lidoine (Dialogues des Carmélites). A graduate of Utah State University and the University of Maryland’s Opera Studio, Allysa now calls Gainesville, FL home, where she performs and teaches, guiding students in their own musical and personal growth.
Abigail
Carpenter
Violin
Abigail Carpenter is a Georgia-based violinist with 18 years of performance experience. She is pursuing her Master’s in Music Performance at the University of Florida, studying with Dr. Janna Lower, where she also serves as the Master’s Violin Assistant and principal second violin of the University Symphony Orchestra. Abigail earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, studying under Professors Boris Abramov and Samuel Vargas. An active orchestral and chamber musician, she has performed with ensembles such as the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Ballet Orchestra, and University of Florida Graduate Quartet, and has attended renowned festivals including Sewanee, Montecito, and MasterWorks.
Bennie
Radford
Voice
Acting
Music Production
Bennie Radford brings a vibrant blend of performance experience and dedicated teaching to the LyriCo Conservatory voice faculty. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Technology, Vocal Performance, and Theatre from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Bennie has performed in professional and community theatre across Illinois, New York, and Florida, with credits including Once Upon a Mattress, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Ragtime, and Little Shop of Horrors. As an instructor, Bennie works with singers of all ages and skill levels, helping them prepare for musical theatre auditions, worship performances, and confident, healthy vocal growth. His warm and encouraging teaching style, grounded in real world stage experience, equips students with the tools they need to thrive on stage and beyond.
Benjamin
"Benji" Diaz
Saxophone
Clarinet
Oboe
Piano
Benjamin Diaz is a doctoral student at the University of Florida studying saxophone performance. He holds a Bachelors of Music Education from Florida State University and a Master of Music in saxophone performance at Columbus state university where he was the saxophone studio teaching assistant. Benjamin’s saxophone mentors are Geoffrey Deibel, Joe Girard and Jonathan Helton. As a former middle school band director, Benjamin has experience teaching all levels of experience, from beginners all the way up to undergraduate college students. Benjamin has performed and lectured in various US state and abroad, notably in various French cities and Panama.
Benny
Cannon
Drums
Guitar
After a short stint as a Marine Corps Bandsman, Benny Cannon has been an active member of Gainesville’s Music Community for nearly 20 years, Currently as a part of The Savants and Jose Piñeiro Trio, with experience in just about any genre you can think of. He is eager to share his knowledge and passion for performance with you.
Morgan
Vanderlaan
Voice
Acting
Dance
Morgan Vanderlaan helps young singers and performers fall in love with the stage. She is a senior at the University of Florida majoring in political science and English with over a decade of experience in performance, playwriting, lyricism, and directing. She has been in countless shows both on and off stage, directing and vocal coaching shows around central Florida. She is a member of the Dramatist Guild and her plays have been produced by multiple regional theaters including the Hippodrome and the AcrossTown Repertory Theatre in Gainesville, FL. In summer 2025 she worked in London as a screenwriting intern and received her off-West End debut with a ten minute piece entitled “Ants” at Riverside Studios. In summer 2026 she worked as a talent management intern at Lohne Graham Management and a residential intern for the American Ballet Theatre. At LyriCo, she brings that full toolkit to her students — building confidence, joy, and stage presence from the very first lesson.
Jillian
Mersky
Voice
Piano
Jillian Mersky is a master’s student at the University of Florida, studying to be a Speech-Language Pathologist. She holds a Bachelors of Health Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with minors in Music: Vocal Performance, Theatre, and Disabilities in Society. Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Jillian has spent 15 years studying and performing in countless theatres. Locally, she has performed at Gainesville Community Playhouse and with UF Opera. Jillian hopes to teach young students confident musical theatre technique, audition preparation strategy, and healthy, sustainable singing. She additionally has studied piano privately for 10 years and teaches beginners to the basics of this grand instrument!
Esther
Thompson
Dance
Esther Thompson joins the LyriCo team bringing over 13 years of dance experience. Esther is experienced in both Musical Theater and Dance. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop and acrobatics. She has experience as a choreographer for musical theater, contemporary and hip hop dances. Esther has performed with Dance Alive National Ballet in The Nutcracker, Midsummer NIght’s Dream and Action Bug Lady Hero.
Bo
Broadwell
Dance
Bo Broadwell is a performance artist, director, choreographer with over 20 years production experience spanning the genres of the industry from cruise line and theme park to Off-broadway. Bo’s wide range of performance credits include the National Tours of CATS, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Crazy For You. Bo has performed with Dollywood, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Disney cruise lines and has danced alongside Dolly Parton and his favorite, Minnie Mouse! He has worked for Walt Disney World and has been featured in Beauty and the Beast:Live On Stage, The Hoop Dee Doo Revue, Dream Along with Mickey, ABC’s Annual Christmas Day Parade, and the live christening of the DCL Disney Dream cruise liner with Jennifer Hudson.
Bo made his Off Broadway debut in the musical Trip Of Love starring Nia Souix and Darlene Love ultimately becoming the production’s dance captain. Bo has taught and adjudicated with studios across the southeast and worked with masters such as Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking and Ben Vereen. Bo’s directorial and choreographic work has been nominated for Broadway World and MTA awards and includes show creation for Carowinds Theme Park and Celebrity Cruise Line.
Nailah
Clarke
Piano
Nailah Clarke is a pianist and composer with fifteen years of performance experience. She is currently studying under Dr. Jasmin Arakawa in the UF School of Music, and will graduate with her Bachelor’s of Music in Composition, with a double-minor in Spanish and Jazz Studies. Since 2021, she has taught piano to students of all ages and levels, hosted recitals, and prepared students for competition and state music exams (Florida Federation of Music Clubs). Nailah specializes in classical and jazz, but enjoys experimenting with other styles like pop, Broadway, and R&B. Her writing is a vibrant fusion of popular and jazz styles, and her work has been featured on concert programs, in musicals, and even in avideo game!
Nicolas
Chalise
Violin
Songwriting
Voice
Nicolas Chalise is a rising senior at the University of Florida studying Music Theory and Composition. As a composer, lyricist, music director, vocalist, violinist, and pianist with over a decade of experience, his background provides students the space to explore a variety of musical interests. He has been a featured composer in the University of Florida Undergraduate Composition Concert for the past three semesters, has performed as a violinist in the University of Florida’s Symphony Orchestra, and has worked as a music director at theaters like the Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory and Star Center Theater. He also worked as an educational intern at the Patel Conersavatory this past summer! This fall, he is slated to compose for Moon Unit Trio and NOIS Saxophone Quartet, as well as workshop an original new musical. From string quartets and chamber music to pop-style song writing and theatrical works, his passion surrounds helping students develop confidence, technical skill, and creativity in their own artistic voice.
Mandy
Lanier
Dance
Mandy Lanier is a dance/choreographer from South Florida, currently earning at BFA in dance from the University of Florida. She is an interdisciplinary artist, creating many dance films and interactive live performances in collaboration with other makers in the area. With strong foundations in dance technique and resistance training, she’s passionate about pushing the limits of the body in a way that’s intuitive and safe. Most of all she sees movement as a form of worship and is excited to spread her love of dance to those she teaches.
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