About Florida Enrichment Academy – Our Nonprofit Mission in Music Education
Florida Enrichment Academy is a nonprofit piano education organization dedicated to serving families across Sarasota and Manatee County through convenient, high-quality in-home piano lessons.
Our mission is to remove barriers to music learning—such as travel time, scheduling conflicts, and cost—so every child can experience the joy and benefits of piano, including homeschool students, preschoolers, and those with special needs.
We bring university-trained piano teachers directly into family homes, creating a supportive, stress-free environment where students thrive.
Our Mission as a Nonprofit Foundation
Florida Enrichment Academy exists to serve families and communities. We believe every child deserves access to quality music education, regardless of logistical or financial challenges. Traditional studio lessons often require long drives, rigid schedules, and higher costs that many families simply can't manage.
Our in-home model directly addresses these issues by bringing expert instruction to you—no need to rearrange your day around studio hours or fight traffic. This flexibility supports busy parents, homeschool families who want music integrated into their curriculum, and special-needs households needing a calm, predictable setting. By operating as a nonprofit, we can prioritize long-term student success, fair teacher compensation, and community impact over commercial pressures.
Who We Serve
We proudly serve children ages 4–18 throughout Sarasota and Manatee County, including:
- Preschoolers discovering music for the first time through gentle, playful lessons
- Homeschool families incorporating piano into their daily learning plans
- Students with special needs (such as autism or physical disabilities) who benefit from adaptive, home-based instruction
- Beginners building confidence and older kids advancing their skills
Our programs are designed to meet children where they are—whether they're in growing suburbs like Lakewood Ranch, established neighborhoods in Bradenton, expanding areas like Parrish and Ellenton, or the heart of Sarasota.
Explore our
in-home piano lessons
and
special needs piano lessons pages for more details.
Marilyn Spencer
Academy Foundation Teacher
Marilyn Spencer Marilyn Spencer teaches Piano and Voice. Marilyn started playing the piano when she was five years old. She has been teaching piano since she was nine years old.
Her mother gave her a choice between doing the dishes or practicing piano every evening. She chose the piano. Marilyn studied piano performance and teaching, and obtained a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University
In addition to teaching piano, Marilyn has performed in symphony orchestras in the United States and Canada and at the inaugurations of three governors.
She has also directed choirs, solo vocalists and praise bands and played the organ and piano at churches in Kansas, Colorado, and Florida.
Tom Spencer
Academy Foundation Teacher
Tom Spencer teaches piano and music theory. Tom began playing piano as a teenager. After high school he realized he was not going to be a rock star or play in the NFL and went on to college.
He obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at
Santa Barbara, and a Master’s degree from Saint Louis University.
In addition to teaching piano, Tom has performed as a soloist and with jazz and rock bands in California, Colorado and Florida.
Our Teaching Approach
Our teachers are university-trained specialists in piano instruction, focusing exclusively on technique, posture, musical expression, and progressive skill development. We emphasize proper foundations from the start—correct hand positioning, finger strength, rhythm, and healthy habits—to help students grow confidently and avoid common setbacks.
Lessons are personalized: short and fun for young beginners, structured and challenging for advancing students, and fully adaptive for those with special needs. The home setting allows teachers to adjust pacing, volume, and activities to each child's comfort level, creating positive experiences that build lasting motivation.
Younger children can begin with our
preschool piano lessons program, which introduces piano through games, songs, and movement that match short attention spans and early coordination.
What Families Are Saying
Parents across Sarasota and Manatee County trust us because of the real difference they see in their children. One parent shared on Yelp:
“They are great with kids. My oldest did not even want to do it but now he practices daily without even being told to practice.”
— Marilyn S.
This kind of transformation—turning reluctance into daily joy and self-motivation—is why families choose our nonprofit approach.
How Our Nonprofit Supports Families
We make starting piano accessible and affordable. Most families begin with a simple, inexpensive keyboard—no need to purchase a full piano right away.
As your child progresses and shows readiness for more advanced playing, we guide you toward affordable or donated real piano options through our nonprofit network (you may cover moving costs if applicable).
This support removes financial hurdles, helping more children continue their musical journey without added stress.
Community Trust
Families choose Florida Enrichment Academy because of our unwavering commitment to convenience, consistency, and supportive instruction.
Our Yelp profile shows this trust with a 5.0-star rating from parents who have witnessed their children become more confident, motivated, and engaged through our in-home lessons.
We're grateful for the community support that allows us to keep serving Sarasota and Manatee County families.
Frequently asked questions
Is Florida Enrichment Academy a real nonprofit?
Yes—we operate as Florida Enrichment Academy Foundation, a registered nonprofit focused on accessible piano education.
Do you offer lessons outside Sarasota & Manatee County?
Our teachers live in Sarasota and do not offer lessons outside of Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Do you accept donations?
We welcome inquiries about supporting our mission, including potential piano donations or contributions to help families in need—reach out via our contact page.
How do I start lessons?
Call us or give us information on our form and we will call you to set up a free trial lesson.
