- April 29, 2024
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A new location. More faculty. Big plans for the future.
The Elite Academy of Music and Motion, which opened in 2015, moved to 719 S. Nova Road at the Tomoka Plaza in July 2020, and since then, the academy's founder Damian Bonazzoli and new owner James Sinex have been working to ensure the arts remain alive in the community. With a staff composed of high-level musicians, Bonazzoli said the academy continues to strive to teach students all levels — from beginners to professional musicians — and that their roster has grown to about 225.
"There's great joy in teaching professionals or high schoolers who are about to audition for conservatories," said Bonazzoli, who is the academy's head guitar instructor.
One of the academy's piano students was recently accepted at Berklee College of Music.
Sinex, who took over the administration of the academy last year, was one of Bonazzoli's guitar students. A professional drummer and instructor, Sinex was looking to broaden his knowledge of music and as he took lessons, he and Bonazzoli often spoke about the academy and its future. Once Bonazzoli discovered Sinex was a talented and professional drummer with over 45 years of experience, he proposed Sinex become an instructor.
"And then at some point, [Bonazzoli] expressed that he would like to ... free up a little more time for his own musical endeavors, and wanted to focus on teaching and not having to run the business every day," Sinex said.
For Sinex, who is also a real estate agent, the conversation presented an opportunity to take a step toward his ultimate life goal: To make a living only through music.
With small music stores continuing to close in communities across the country, and schools cutting back on arts programs, Sinex said it's important for academies like Elite to exist.
"The arts have got to be here to serve the needs of the community," he said. "People really need arts to fulfill themselves. So many people don't feel fulfilled these days, and I think it's because they don't have these options as much."
Sinex said he's always been drawn to music. He and his best friend founded a band as young kids and continued to play for decades. He is currently with a local band called The Click.
As far as the future of the Elite Academy goes, both Bonazzoli and Sinex are looking to expand more on the "motion" part of the name by beginning to offer dance classes and bringing in a yoga instructor, in addition to the one-on-one acting lessons Bonazzoli teaches. They also hope to develop the stage area in the back of their facility to become a small performance or meeting venue.
On Thursday, April 13, the academy held a piano workshop featuring instructor Tek Winesberry, who holds a doctorate in piano performance. They hope to do more workshops in the future.
It's about offering top notch instruction, Bonazzoli said, be it a grandparent wanting to learn "silly songs" to teach his grandchildren on guitar, or a professional musician looking to further his or career.
"So wherever somebody is and whatever somebody wants to accomplish, this is the place to get it done," he said.
