Ketsia Gustave has committed an impressive 16 years to the field of education, embarking on her academic journey at the University of Miami, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology in 2007. Initially pursuing a career in science, Ketsia’s experience as a substitute teacher revealed to her the transformative power of education, igniting a profound passion for teaching. This passion led her to obtain a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix.
Since earning her degree, Ketsia has become a dynamic advocate for educational equity, firmly believing that every student deserves access to quality education. She has made her mark as a science teacher in both private and public schools throughout South Florida and Huntsville, Alabama, where she has inspired countless students to cultivate a love for the sciences. Her dedication to enhancing educational outcomes has also propelled her into roles such as Instructional Coach and Instructional Coordinator in the EdTech space. In these influential positions, Ketsia has empowered educators to effectively leverage technology, ensuring high-quality education reaches every learner, no matter their zip code.
Ketsia Gustave’s journey is not just one of personal achievement; it exemplifies an unwavering commitment to fostering a more equitable educational landscape.
Heitor Alves embarked on his musical journey in 2011 as a passionate musician with his band. However, a recording session for their EP ignited a deeper passion—for audio engineering and music production. By 2015, Heitor had established his own studio, dedicating himself as a music producer and audio engineer. Over the years, he has collaborated with numerous talented Brazilian bands and artists, several of whom achieved releases under major labels like Universal Music Group and Warner Chappell. A Latin Grammy voting member since 2019 and a two-time Latin Grammy Producer of the Year nominee (2020 and 2021), Heitor brings unparalleled expertise to his craft. Beyond studio work, he’s also managed projects for a prominent Brazilian radio station and orchestrated a live-stream event with over 1 million viewers. Now, as part of F.I.R.S.T. Institute's faculty, Heitor is driven to inspire and equip students to achieve excellence in sound and show production.
Miguel Albino is a professional performing musician and live sound audio engineer with over 15 years of experience. His music journey began at 16, playing bass for church worship bands across various campuses in Ecuador. Miguel quickly expanded his career, working as a session musician and recording instruments in his home studio for bands, radio jingles, and podcasts. During this time, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Music. After moving to Florida in 2013, Miguel continued performing live and teaching one-on-one music lessons to students of all ages. Passionate about advancing his skills, he graduated from F.I.R.S.T. Institute in 2018, specializing in audio engineering. He then assumed roles as a Music-Tech Director at churches, where he served as a band coach, FOH audio engineer, and stagehand. Miguel is dedicated to teaching and inspiring young artists, sharing his career experiences to help them achieve their goals and beyond.
Tony Castillo, known professionally as "Gorilla Tek," is an accomplished American record producer, engineer, composer, and vinyl DJ. He co-founded the production company Drum Majorz and is celebrated for his work with the group Iconz, producing the Billboard-charting hit “Get Fucked Up” in 2000. Castillo also produced iconic tracks like “I’m So High” for Grindmode and contributed to film scores for productions such as "Bloodline," distributed by Codeblack/Universal. His career boasts gold and platinum certifications through collaborations with Pitbull, Flo Rida, Trick Daddy, Trina, and 8Ball & MJG. Castillo co-founded the Miami-based production team “The Committee” in 1985, later expanding it into artist management as Iconz Music Group. Additionally, from 1998 to 2002, he partnered with Trak53, producing for Slip-n-Slide Records artists. Known as a pioneer of Miami’s “Jook n Vibe” sound, Gorilla Tek blends uptempo 808 beats with smooth R&B melodies, defining a genre in the process.
Francisco Valentin’s love for music started on a summer night in Puerto Rico when he unearthed an old keyboard and began playing his favorite songs. Inspired by artists like The Beatles, Radiohead, Coldplay, and The Strokes, he quickly developed a passion for writing, recording, and producing music. This passion led him to Berklee College of Music, where he honed his skills in Contemporary Writing and Production. Francisco has collaborated with various artists, toured across North and South America, and scored music for documentaries. His work has received acclaim from respected publications like Noisey, The Deli NYC, Vice Colombia, and Remezcla. With over nine years of teaching experience, he has crafted and implemented curriculums at multiple institutions, guiding students of all ages. Francisco is dedicated to helping aspiring musicians discover their unique artistic voices through the tools and techniques he shares in his teaching.
Dakari is an Orlando native, he started in the music industry sitting in on a friend's sessions while in school in Atlanta. What began as a down time hobby developed into what would become his career after returning home to attend F.I.R.S.T. and graduating in 2018. Since then he has been able to use the skills obtained in school to work as a recording and mix engineer at Real Feel Recording, as well as live sound engineering at Xperience Live working with artist such as Rob49, Gucci Mane, Jeezy, MoneybaggYo and more. He continues to learn and grow in the many facets of the profession while passing on as much knowledge as possible in the process.
Daniel Dyko’s passion for audio began when he recorded an EP as the guitarist and vocalist in his band. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in music production, pushing him to create powerful songs for others as well. Daniel earned a degree in Sound and Music Technology from Valencia College and immediately gained hands-on experience as an intern at Plush Studios. Over the years, he has worked as a freelance recording and live sound engineer at diverse studios and venues across Orlando. Beyond his expertise in audio, Daniel has a passion for teaching and sharing the knowledge he’s acquired. Before joining F.I.R.S.T. Institute, he taught math to students from elementary to college level, coached junior varsity lacrosse, and provided music lessons in guitar and drums. He even guided players in esports, blending strategy and teamwork. Daniel’s diverse teaching background, paired with his love for audio, makes him an invaluable educator at F.I.R.S.T. Institute.
Luis Fernandez is a passionate and ambitious instructor at the prestigious F.I.R.S.T. Institute, bringing over 11 years of expertise in audio engineering, music production, and show production. Known for his outstanding contributions to the music industry, Luis has earned two gold plaques and one platinum plaque for his work with renowned artists such as DJ Khaled, Acehood, Future, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and others. His professional repertoire extends beyond the studio, having supported show productions for high-profile clients like the Orlando Magic, Disney, PSAV/Encore, and the Beyonce Renaissance World Tour. Additionally, Luis co-founded Just Be Great Studios with Indie Jamz Radio, a creative hub dedicated to providing resources and professional opportunities for aspiring artists. At F.I.R.S.T., he channels his real-world experience and success to inspire the next generation of creatives, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the competitive music industry.
Sebastian entered the industry as an assistant engineer and quickly rose to a full-time senior engineer, working with new artists signed to the Universal Music Group pop/hip-hop roster. He has worked on projects with several Grammy-award winning artists, including T-Pain, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, and Yelawolf. Seeking to be useful in whatever session he walks into, Sebastian works as a producer, mixer, mastering engineer, or often a combination of all 3. He also operates a successful freelance business with clients from Capital Records and Republic Records. While his professional focus is pop, hip-hop and R&B, he has had his hands in many genres, from jazz, rock, metal, electronic, musical theater, and world music. Drawing from his day-to-day experiences, Sebastian enjoys sharpening students minds and preparing them for the music industry.
Chris Jay has been a professional audio engineer for over two decades. He got his start in the entertainment industry in 1995 working with Sublime on the first Warped Tour as their merchandise representative and stagehand. After the tour, Lee ”Scratch” Perry invited him to work as an assistant in the studio on the album “Lee Perry vs Sly & Robbie.” That time in the studio was what drove him to dedicate his career to audio engineering. Since then, he has worked on many albums ranging in genre from blues, punk, hardcore, and reggae. In various capacities, he has worked with a wide array of popular artists such as Outkast, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, LL Cool J, Trick Daddy, Cash Money, and The Beach Boys. He also works for Electronic Arts as an Audio Artist handling commentary and sound design for Madden and NBA Live.
Kelly Kotera began his career in sound recording at a small 4-track studio after playing keyboards in a touring band. He later joined the Record Plant in Los Angeles, working as an EIC on their 24-track mobile recording trucks. During his tenure, he received a platinum album from Bill Szymczyk for his contributions to Eagles Live. Kelly also recorded, produced, and mixed various in-studio albums for signed artists. After a decade in music recording, Kelly transitioned to post-production, spending 10 years working on film sound and TV audio sweetening at Compact Sound Services. He then launched his own consulting company, assisting major clients like Disney Channel, Technicolor, Playboy TV, and DirecTV, while also engineering cable TV channels. Later, he worked with Verizon to help launch their streaming TV services before moving into education, teaching electronics and computer programming at ITT-Tech. Currently, Kelly teaches at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, inspiring students in sound and show production. He holds a master’s in information systems, a bachelor’s in business, and an associate degree in electronics technology.
Liam Creus is a highly skilled producer, audio engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Orlando, Florida, renowned for creating exceptional music. With a strong foundation in audio engineering, Liam merges technical precision with a bold creative approach to deliver outstanding results for every project he takes on. After earning his degree in audio engineering, Liam began his career at the prestigious Plush Studios in Orlando. Starting as an intern, his dedication and talent quickly propelled him through the ranks to become an assistant engineer and eventually a staff engineer. Here, he gained invaluable hands-on experience in professional music production, sharpening his expertise and elevating his craft to meet industry-leading standards. Now a thriving freelance mixing and recording engineer, Liam is passionate about transforming ideas into compelling musical experiences. His blend of technical skill and artistic vision continues to leave a lasting impact on artists and audiences alike.
Alfredo Rivera Sr., also known as "Alar" or "Alar On The Mix," is a Puerto Rican-born, South Florida-raised audio engineer, producer, writer, and artist manager. His career began as the youngest intern at Miami Beach Recording Studios, where his passion for sound set him apart. Alfredo has since built a diverse portfolio, working across genres like Reggaeton, Hip-Hop, RnB, Afrobeat, and Heavy Metal. He’s collaborated with top talents, including Alex Sensation, Poor Stacy, and Kiko El Crazy. Beyond production, Alfredo’s expertise spans radio commercials, school audiobooks, and live performances. Dedicated to empowering the next generation, Alfredo actively mentors rising artists and engineers, sharing his industry knowledge to help them thrive. Whether behind the console or managing tours, Alfredo’s technical skills and creative vision consistently elevate projects, embodying his mission to inspire growth and innovation in the music industry.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Sam “FISH” Fisher is a multi-platinum, Grammy-certified record producer, songwriter, keyboardist, and engineer with over 40 years of industry experience. He has collaborated with an impressive roster of iconic artists, including Lady Gaga, Duran Duran, Daddy Yankee, Vico-C, Fey, and the legendary Celia Cruz. Sam’s expertise spans production, recording, mixing, artist relations, and A&R, and he has contributed to the success of numerous albums across major labels like BMG, Warner Music, Sony Music, EMI, and Interscope/Universal. His work has been instrumental in shaping the careers of many acclaimed artists while leaving a lasting impact on the music industry. Sam Fisher’s combination of technical expertise, creative talent, and deep industry knowledge cements his reputation as a key contributor to modern music. His dedication to his craft continues to inspire countless producers and artists throughout the industry.
