Music & Art Faculty Bios

Athena began her art career at the age of 7 under the guidance of California artist, and author, Aaron Lambert. He encouraged her to work toward perfecting her craft through participation in many local and state wide artistic competitions. This practice motivated Athena to enter multiple Congressional art exhibits during her teenage years. She was fortunate to be chosen to have her artwork displayed at our Nations Capitol as well as meeting President George W. Bush. Meeting the President inspired Athena to join the US Army where she continued to take every opportunity to showcase her art. During her military service,  Athena taught art lessons to service members,  military dependents, and within local school districts. Athena has completed over 100 murals at Military bases across the county. She has been commissioned to complete international murals in Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Isreal, Germany and Thailand. After her military service,  she completed her degree in teaching at Leeward College as well as her Bachelors in Studio Arts at the University of Hawaii. Athena has apprenticed under multiple internationally known artists such as Lebanese artist Reem Bassous, Hawaii surf artist Michael Harada and New Jersey artist Sandra Murchison. She has also trained with nationally recognized artists Wendy Kawabatta, Debra Drexler, Shelbia Hatten and Devin Greer. Athena enjoys offering her knowledge in the arts to our local Veteran and elderly communities, as well as providing art lessons for multiple homeschool organizations.

Spenser Gott is currently a sophomore at Pensacola Christian College studying Music with a piano emphasis. He has been playing piano for 7 years, first learning from his older brother, and now studying under Dr. Pitágoras Gonçalves. He has earned a spot on both the PCC’s Dean’s List and the President’s List for his academic achievements. He has also sung in various choirs, including PCC’s symphonic choir and several recital choirs. Raised in the Deep South of Louisiana, Spenser desires to share his love of music through teaching.

Soprano Lisa Hilliard has performed and recorded with legendary conductor Robert Shaw throughout Europe and at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and Atlanta Symphony Hall. She has also performed with the New York Philharmonic and the New York Choral Society and has been a featured soloist in concerts at the Washington National Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. Lisa has enjoyed the unique opportunity of singing the soprano solos in the world premiere of two newly-commissioned Requiems performed in Atlanta. A native of Atlanta now living in Santa Rosa County, Miss Lisa was honored to sing the National Anthem for President Bush’s first appearance at the Pensacola Civic Center. Locally, she has performed with Pensacola Opera and as a soloist with the Pensacola Choral Society and the Gulf Coast Chorale. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, where she attended on voice and piano scholarships.

Miss Virginia has a wealth of piano and music experience. She began piano lessons at the age of 6, played the saxophone in the band and accompanied chorus and began playing for church at the age of 11. Graduating from Livingston University (University of West Alabama) with a Bachelor’s in Music Education with a major in Piano and minor in Organ and Voice, she also performed in several choral groups and accompanied the concert choir. Her teaching career began in LaGrange, Georgia, took her to Baton Rouge and then to Milton where she taught chorus at Hobbs Middle School. She recently retired after over 40 years of teaching middle school. We are delighted to have Miss Virginia bring her love of music to the students at Time to Shine! 

Abigail Morse is a senior Music Education major at the University of West Florida, where she studies voice under the direction of Professor Bizhou Chang. Her academic achievements at UWF have placed her on the President’s List and Dean’s List. Growing up in a musical household, Abigail has always had a deep love for music. She began singing in choirs at the age of ten and started playing the piano at thirteen. Raised in Pace, Florida, she has sung in various honor choirs within the county and state. Her most fond musical memories are participating in the Florida All-State choirs. Abigail’s main passion in life is to ignite a love for music in each of her students.

Kayla Neely is a multitalented music educator who has been playing piano and singing in choral settings for over a decade. She is a 2023 graduate of Pace High School and was awarded the title of Pacesetter 2023. She has been an active member in multiple audition-based choirs, including the Florida All-State High School Reading Chorus for three years, the Florida All-State Middle School Mixed Chorus and Santa Rosa All-County Honor Choir for six years. Additionally, she has participated in the UWF Summer Festival Chorus and FSU Choir Camp. Kayla is a sophomore at the University of West Florida pursuing her Bachelor in Music Education with a focus on Choral Education, where she is a member of UWF Singers, the accompanist for UWF Argo Chorus, and part of the Kugelman Honors program. She will also be a vocalist in the UWF Jazz Combo and a member of UWF Concert Choir. Throughout her educational career, she has fulfilled multiple leadership positions; most recently, she served as the UWF Singers Travel Assistant and will be serving as the UWF Chapter NAFME Historian this upcoming academic year. Teaching music to people of all generations has always been a deep passion of hers as she truly believes music is the key to happiness!

Charity Pence is currently a senior music education major with an emphasis in violin at Pensacola Christian College. She has played violin for 13 years and has played with various orchestras including Panama City Symphony, Eastern Mennonite University and Pensacola Christian College as well as taught Suzuki violin in her hometown of Broadway, Virginia. Charity grew up in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia and in her free time enjoys baking, finding new music to listen to, learning about music production, and enjoying a good cup of coffee with friends. She is excited to teach at Time to Shine and to develop her student's love for music!

Dylan Williams has been playing guitar for over 12 years and been a performing musician for 8. As a professional musician, he has performed extensively from Denver to Atlanta, including two years of performing in the Big Easy of New Orleans in several jazz groups. A native Pensacolian, Dylan holds a degree in Music and Classical Guitar from Pensacola State College. Mr. Dylan currently plays in a local bluegrass band named The Gator Boys. Dylan is excited to be a part of the staff of Time to Shine!