Luke Grode, B.A. Music

Introduction: Originally from Rutherford, New Jersey, I moved to the Tampa Bay area at the age of 9 where I began taking piano lessons. As a young boy, I was interested in learning themes from my favorite movie soundtracks which quickly set a course for me to eventually explore the various forms of classical music. In addition to the piano, I took up the French horn in junior high school and studied both instruments through college. In 2005, I received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Tampa with a concentration in performance. I have over 13 years of teaching experience to students from ages 5 to 75 and, as a keyboardist, I have shared the stage with colleagues in diverse local bands specializing in rhythm & blues, rock n' roll, pop, and country. I currently have 40 private students. Research shows that active musical participation engages more parts of the brain than perhaps any other activity and encourages the two hemispheres to work together effectively and efficiently. Musical training increases the brain’s capacity to understand subtle differences in word syllables. It also aids in the development of spatial-temporal reasoning, a foundation for mathematic success. There are strong correlations between instrumental music study and abstract reasoning skills. Musicians' brains are highly developed in a way that makes them alert, interested in learning, disposed to see the whole picture, calm, and playful. They also have more frequent “peak experiences”-intense moments of happiness and feelings of transcending limitations. Just listening to music can be very cathartic, but learning to create it will change your life forever.