About Us
Founded in 1999, A Gift for Music is A Gift for Teaching’s flagship arts education program designed to provide students with musical enrichment, practice, and performance. As a nationally recognized, award-winning program, A Gift for Music was founded on the idea that all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status, should have access to the life-changing benefits of a quality music education. Since its inception, A Gift for Music has worked with more than 11,000 students throughout Central Florida, teaching them how to play string instruments and transforming them into dedicated, lifelong musicians.
Who We Are
Our Mission is to empower Orlando’s under-resourced youth to envision a positive future for themselves and discover their own creativity through music and music education.
Our program actively ensures that each of our students develops persistence, discipline, teamwork, and creative problem-solving skills by utilizing each of the following musical avenues – all 100% tuition free:
- After-school Violin Music Instruction at five Orange County public elementary schools
- Five distinct skill levels of our Saturday Strings Orchestra
- Tuition-Free Private Lessons
- Summer Camp
- Community Performances
- Exposure to Higher Education
Since 2012, 100% of students who have gone through the A Gift for Music program from the 3rd grade through the 12th grade have graduated high school and gone on to attend college.
Staff
Chad McClellan, Director
Chad McClellan, Director of A Gift for Music, is a native Floridian and proud alumnus of Orange County Public Schools. He began singing at the age of 11 and carried that passion for music to Rollins College, where he studied classical voice with Curtis Rayam and conducting with Dr. John Sinclair. Prior to his time at A Gift for Music, Mr. McClellan taught choir and piano for Orange County Public Schools.
In 2008, Mr. McClellan founded Sounds Like Chicken A Cappella, a vocal group that performs throughout the Central Florida area. Since 2009, he has served on the board of directors for the Orlando Choral Society as President and Recruitment Chair. In 2017, he was appointed Director of Choir and Handbells at Merritt Island Presbyterian Church. He currently serves as Artistic Director for the Legacy Chorale and King’s Ridge Singers ensembles.
Mr. McClellan was the founding president of the Sigma Eta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the nation’s largest music fraternity. He is also a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Florida Vocal Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Barbershop Harmony Society, the Garden Community Choir, and is a proud Big Brother in Big Brother Big Sisters of America.
For more information about A Gift for Music, and other related inquiries, please contact Chad.
Lacy San Antonio, Program Coordinator
Lacy San Antonio, A Gift for Music’s Program Coordinator, studied violin performance under the instruction of Dr. Janna Lower at the University of Florida, before going on to complete an MA in Education and study the Suzuki method of violin education. She has since taught private violin lessons, youth orchestra, and chamber music to hundreds of students.
Although education is her passion, Lacy has worked in administrative roles for large arts organizations and has performed with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, the Gainesville Orchestra, and the Vienna Summer Music Festival. In addition to serving as Program Coordinator for A Gift for Music, Lacy plays with the Solisti Chamber Orchestra, teaches with the Flagler Youth Orchestra, and maintains a private violin studio.
Lacy firmly believes in the power of music to boost confidence, develop self-expression, support well-being, and build community. She is excited to work alongside A Gift for Teaching in serving the students of OCPS.
Considering introducing string music to your child? Contact Lacy
A Gift for Music Advisory Council
Amy Cullen, Director of Education and Community, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
Scott Evans, Senior Administrator – Visual & Performing Arts, Orange County Public Schools
Chris Greening, Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Lake Highland Preparatory School
Jim Hair, Partner & Orlando Office President, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
Dr. Keith Koons, Associate Chair, Department of Music, University of Central Florida
Jeff Moore, Dean, College of Arts and Humanities, University of Central Florida
Daniel Muni, Owner, Muni Strings
Dr. Mary Palmer, Music Education Professor Emerita, University of Central Florida
Dr. Jeffery Redding, Director of Choral Activities, University of Central Florida
Jane Thompson, President, A Gift For Teaching
