05/27/2026
EFMusic extends a warm welcome to Alyssa Wolf who will join the team next week as our piano, woodwinds and brass instructor!
Alyssa began her musical education at 7 years old taking piano lessons right here in Sarasota. Her mom had always played classical music for her in infancy, and she was drawn to it. She also picked up the clarinet in 6th grade. In middle school she added the flute in order to join the jazz band and from there her passion for music grew exponentially. She excelled in high school, participating in the top ensemble at Sarasota’s Riverview High School and in music festivals such as the Smoky Mountain Music Festival. She engaged in every musical venture she could, including adding even more instruments such as alto saxophone. Her first teaching experience came early when she volunteered at her former middle school teaching clarinet lessons to the students for all four years of high school. She also participated as a woodwinds instructor for summer camps at her high school upon graduation. These opportunities made it clear that music was her calling.
Alyssa attended the University of South Florida and received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education. During her time in college, she was fascinated and excelled at her courses, such as music theory, aural theory, elementary methods, and the learning of even more instruments. She strengthened her skills in music and in teaching, realizing that she enjoys specializing in foundational music skills, particularly to younger learners. Notably, Alyssa received the Virginia Bridges Music Education award while at USF. Alyssa’s passions in college were focused on woodwinds and elementary instruction, and she interned in 2024 in both middle and elementary school. She worked with three levels of band classes, along with a jazz band at the middle school level and worked with K-5 students as well. Alyssa honed skills for working with all students including those with disabilities, finding highly successful, adaptive practices. Upon graduation, she continued to substitute in music classrooms in Sarasota County and special needs classrooms, with focus in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
While classroom teaching was very rewarding, Alyssa found her niche in the world of private instruction and has been teaching piano ,winds brass and even ukulele. In addition to being part of the Elizaebth Farrell Music Faculty, she is the clarinet instructor at Riverview High School, both teaching small groups within the classroom and providing private after-school lessons on campus.
Ultimately, Alyssa’s philosophy and passion is to provide students with quality music instruction in a way that resonates with them and inspires joy. Music is meant to be an expression of self, and a wonderful canvas for life skills and self-enjoyment. She works well with every age range, although has found a specialty with young children as well as neurodivergent or disabled individuals.
