Teacher of Distinction with Honors (15 - 20 Years)

Teachers who have taught 15+ years through MusicLink are recognized as MusicLink Teachers of Distinction with Honors. We recognize and thank the following teachers, who have devoted all these years to help MusicLink students thrive through musical training.

Tanya Rodriguez Brooks began her teaching career in Panama City, FL with 25 students at the age of 14. After receiving her associate’s degree in music at age 19 she received teacher training in Suzuki Piano and Violin at UNO and the University of Louisville. She became state and nationally certified as a teacher of piano in 2003. Tanya became a member of Florida State MTA in 1991 and has served in various state and local offices since that time.

She currently serves as FTC Compliance Officer for NW Florida MTA. Tanya has over 45 years of teaching experience, maintains a private studio of 54 students and has also taught Music History for the Education Encore program at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City. In 2008 Tanya was the recipient of the MTNA and PTG Teacher Scholarship. She used it to receive training in Recreational Music Making at the national MTNA convention in Denver, Colorado. “This was my very first national MTNA conference. It changed my life. It was here at the MusicLink booth that I learned how I could help disadvantaged children in my studio. I went back to Panama City and asked the mother (very tactfully) of one of my very gifted piano students, if her son was on free or reduced lunch. You see, she had been struggling to pay me. She said he was on the free lunch program. I immediately went to the MusicLink website and explained the program and signed her son up for it. That was in December 2008, Dominik is 24 now and is playing at church, on TV and has his own music production business. He was a gifted child that could improvise on anything he heard. Some years back I wrote an article about a brain cancer patient, Amber Howard, who was also a MusicLink student. I learned so much working with her and was so grateful to be able to help them. She is doing great now. The bible says there is more happiness in giving than in receiving. I can truly say that through MusicLink, I have gained so much happiness in being able to give back to my deserving students.