Mullins Music Faculty

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Coenraad Appelgrijn Guitar, Recording Technology. Coenraad was born in Durban, South Africa and began playing guitar at age nine. He was self-taught for six years after which he began lessons in jazz guitar. In 1997 Coenraad moved to the United States. Two years later he acquired his first recorder and began a self-study of recording technology. In 2000 Coenraad formed a band named Cradled with then fiance Rhiannon. In 2001 they were married and Cradled performed at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio for the MTV Series Live at the Rock Hall. The following year Cradled spent time in the studio working with producer Buddy Pendergrass who shared many recording tips and secrets with Coenraad. Since 2003 Coenraad has been the worship leader for Trinity Family Church in New Port Richey, Florida. In 2004, Cradled performed as part of the George W. Bush presidential Rally in New Port Richey. Currently Coenraad is the President of Signet Worship Studio and teaches privately in the Tampa Bay area.

Jack Giunta Drum Set. Studied at Berklee School of Music. Jack started playing drums when he was seven years old with a neighborhood band called The Lucky Charms, performing at schools, functions and private parties. At the age of eight he began formal training, joining the school band learning various percussion instruments and the drum set. During high school Jack acquired a position as the house percussionist with the Salt City Playhouse in Syracuse, New York performing Broadway musicals. After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Jack worked with a variety of artists such as Tavares, The Hypnotics, The Authentics, Boston Baked Blues, Fire Brand, Front Page, and Matt "Guitar" Murphy. Mr. Giunta has been influenced by many of the legends of percussion, most notably Buddy Rich, Alan Dawson, Alex Colville, Dave Garibaldi, and Roberto Petaccia. Jack also is well versed in pipe band drumming having been a member of a traditional Scottish bagpipe band as the lead drummer. Mr. Giunta has won several snare drum competitions, been featured in Modern Drummer magazine and most recently was a member of the Tampa band Ladyfingers.

Eric Mullins Executive Director, Saxophone, Clarinet, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Theory, Composition. BA, Jazz Studies, New School University. Eric began performing professionally at the age of fifteen on historic Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Since then, he has appeared with Bob Newhart, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Clark Terry, Musiq Soulchild and recorded with Van Morrison. Eric's love for music has led him to perform throughout the continental United States at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Chicago Blues Festival, the Essence Festival, Detroit's Fox Theatre and countless other venues. In addition Mr. Mullins has also appeared at the International Center for African Music and Dance in Ghana, London's Royal Albert Hall, and Chiba Art & Cultural Center in Japan. Eric taught at the Stax Music Academy and in the Memphis City Schools before founding Mullins Music. Mr. Mullins has been teaching privately for over ten years and enjoys teaching all ages and levels of students. Eric is also set to release his first CD of original material - Me/We - in the fall of 2008.

Marina Mullins Artistic Director, Piano, Keyboards. BA, Theology & Music, Trinity College of Florida. Marina Mullins was born in Durban, South Africa. She grew up listening to her Mom play piano. She started playing herself at about four and began lessons at the age of six. Throughout her high school years she was a frequent performer in church. After high school she continued her study of music at the University of Natal in Durban where she honed her skills as a jazz pianist and drummer. She performed as a solo jazz pianist at local venues. In Durban, she taught college level music theory and piano at POPS Ministries. At the age of 21 Marina moved, with her family, to Florida. In Florida she studied at the University of South Florida and at Trinity College. She was pianist at Palm Harbor Christian Center and later Riverside Fellowship. She taught private piano lessons for adults and children. Marina performed with Entheos music team from Trinity College. In Tennessee she taught college level music at the Visible School and later served as co-director of music and pianist for Memphis Christian Center and co-director of VIP Summer Music Camp. Marina, an accomplished jazz pianist, also performed in Memphis with jazz groups including Southern Lights and Kwest. Marina holds a B.A. in church music from Florida Theological Seminary and a B.A. in theology from Trinity College in Florida. Marina teaches music at Dayspring Academy, a charter school for education and the arts. She and her husband, Eric, are co-founders and directors of Mullins Music and Performing Arts located in New Port Richey, Florida.

Jennifer Smith Vocals. BA, Theology & Music; BA Theology & Counseling, Trinity College of Florida. Jennifer was born and raised in Florida. She was surrounded by music her entire life. Her mother is a pianist, her sister Joy is a violinist, her other sister Julie is a violist, and her brother Jonathan is a cellist and drummer. She started singing before she could even talk. Jennifer was involved in choirs and productions through her elementary and high school years. In college she joined a madrigal singing group and began her study of opera and music theory. Throughout college, Jennifer participated in performances, competitions, and various singing groups. After attaining a BA in Music and a BA in Counseling, she began teaching piano, theory, and voice at a Charter School for the Arts. She was also very involved with a church and was often the guest singer at events such as weddings, parties, holiday shows, and Community festivals. She is currently The Music Director at First United Methodist Church in Hudson, Florida and is the vocalist for Blue Sky Jazz Band.