Alexandria Culotta
Alexandria Culotta is a multitalented musician, recording artist, and private voice and piano instructor. Originally from Miami, Florida, Alexandria and her husband moved to New York in 2015 to continue growing their expansive music school, 23 Music Studios, as well as perform and record with numerous musical acts as both musicians, and as singer/songwriters.
Mrs. Culotta received her Masters of Piano Performance in classical music at Florida International University under the direction of Dr. Jose Lopez and world-renowned Croatian pianist Kemal Gekić.
Alexandria has been a frequent guest soloist and accompanist performing at various venues in New York City and South Florida including the Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Opera America Center, The Deering Estate, Viscaya Gardens, Miami Art Museum, Bass Art Museum, Frost Art Museum and the Wertheim Music Hall. She has also performed with Grammy award wining Flutist Nestor Torréz in The Nestor Torréz Charanga Ensemble, as chamber pianist under the direction of The Amernet String Quartet Violinist Marcia Littley, and has been on national tours with her nationally recognized original music act Stop the Presses.
Alexandria has run a successful private music studio for over 15 years, teaching students ages of all ages and levels, with a specialty in early childhood music education. Her students undergo Royal Conservatory of Music Exams (NY and Canada) and perform in numerous recitals, competitions, and incentives throughout the year. Some of her former students have attended recognized music programs all over the world such as Miami Conservatory of Music, Frost School of Music Young Musicians, and The Crowden Music Center in Berkeley California, and has had numerous students place and achieve high honors in New York Music Constitutions like the Nationally recognized Little Mozarts Piano Competition (2nd and 3rd place), Rising Stars National Piano Competition (1st place) and performances at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall (RCM High Honors Recital).
Danny Portilla
Daniel Portilla is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger with over 19 years of playing experience. With strong a background in pop/rock, folk, and classical music, Daniel began his musical education at age 8 learning piano from his mother’s old music books. At age 12 he began guitar lessons and fell in love with the instrument. He began teaching guitar and ukulele in 2011.
Originally from Miami, Florida, Daniel has played in various ensembles throughout south Florida including as a featured player for the Greater Miami Youth Symphony. As a guitarist he has toured the US with music groups including the band he founded with his wife, nationally recognized Stop the Presses. Stop the Presses has played at multiple festivals including Sunfest and Vans Warped Tour, released multiple albums, played on radio and television, and continues to release music and perform.
Being introduced to a large variety of music at a young age gave way to passion for composition. Daniel has been writing original music for 16 years including the 2005 National Charge Syndrome Foundation Benefit Theme, “In Charge Today”, as well as the book, music, and lyrics of the 2012 original musical “It’s Pronounced Nucular”.
Now living in New York, Danny continues to perform guitar and bass around the city, compose, and teach.