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
Founder
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, the premier classical and theatrical talent agency in the world, 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
Founder
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 / Movement
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 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, Band, 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.
Libby
Rodriguez
Voice, Piano, Acting, Dance
Gainesville native and lyric soprano Libby Rodríguez holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre with a music minor from Averett University, plus A.A. and A.S. degrees from Florida School of the Arts. She has performed, stage managed, and music directed at Gainesville Community Playhouse, Star Center Theatre, and First Coast Opera, and tapped professionally with Noise Complaint Live. As a musical theatre instructor at Lyrico Conservatory, she shares her passion and expertise with aspiring performers.
Rikki
Baynard
Acting
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
Voice, Piano
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, Low Brass
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.
Noelle
Potenzini
Flute, Saxophone
Noelle Potenzini is a flutist and music teacher who loves helping students of all ages grow as musicians. A senior at the University of Florida studying Music Performance, she has served as principal flutist in orchestras and festivals, is a four-time All-State flutist and piccoloist, and placed second in the Florida Flute Association Young Artist Competition. With eight years of teaching experience, Noelle teaches flute, piano, and alto saxophone (including jazz), focusing on healthy technique, expressive playing, and building confident, well-rounded musicians.
Talia
Nixon
Dance
Talia Nixon is a choreographer, performer, and dance educator passionate about musical theatre. She holds a BA with a Minor in Dance from UF and is completing her MA in Arts in Medicine. Talia has choreographed shows like The Addams Family and Little Shop of Horrors and performed in American Idiot, Kinky Boots, and Cabaret. She loves helping students build strong technique, prepare for auditions, and express themselves confidently through dance.
Jordan
Mobley
Drums, Bass
Jordan Mobley is a Gainesville native who began playing music with his father while participating in the Florida church music scene. Jordan has roots in gospel music but was attracted to jazz at an early age. His attraction to the rhythm section was fueled by the likes of Vince Guaraldi, Wynton Marsalis, and Dennis Chambers. Jordan has formal training in drums, and bass guitar. This training has led him to performing in various music scenes such as, New York, Seattle, and Asia. Jordan has the privilege to front the homegrown Jazz Fusion collective The Jordan Mobley Jam Band. His passion for music and learning is ever persistent.
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.
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(352) 756-0005