Roy Clement
Principal Percussion
Roy Clement was born on Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama and subsequently raised in Sarasota, Florida. Initially an introverted child, Roy developed a strong ability to connect with others through humor.
His musical journey began in elementary school, where an initial attempt to join the music program was met with a lack of encouragement. Undeterred, he joined the sixth-grade band as a trumpet player. In the seventh grade, under the tutelage of Band Master Bernard Rightmyer, he transitioned to the French horn. Roy’s proficiency on the horn grew, leading to his participation in All-County events.
While attending an All-State convention in Tampa, a defining moment occurred: he heard the top Symphonic Band perform Pines of Rome under the direction of Col. John Bourgeois. The performance inspired a profound realization that music performance was his intended career path, specifically after observing the glockenspiel player.
Determined to pursue percussion, Roy sought a dedicated teacher, auditioned successfully for All-State ensembles, and was placed in the top orchestra within six months. He attained the top position a year later and was awarded a scholarship to Florida State University, his mother’s alma mater, as a Percussion Performance major. While at FSU, he expanded his musical scope by studying various other instruments in different ensembles, including the flute, piccolo, oboe, English horn, saxophones, trombone, and harp.
After completing his degree in 1996, Roy moved to San Francisco where he explored a different passion: fine foods and wines. A brief hiatus from music ensued until he felt the pull to return to performing. He moved back to Central Florida and joined several local musical ensembles on various instruments.
He currently holds the position of Principal Percussionist and Harpist with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Roy is the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s Production Manager. Roy resides in Winter Park, Florida, works in the fine food and wine industry, and is supported by his dedicated family.
Joshua Albert
Principal Timpani
Joshua Albert began playing drums and piano at the age of seven, quickly discovering a passion for rhythm and creativity. His early musical achievements included earning top ratings in State Solo & Ensemble competitions and selection for prestigious All-State festivals. What first sparked Josh’s love of music was the joy of performing and improvising for his family—an outlet that nurtured both his imagination and his technical skill.
Josh went on to study percussion at Stetson University, later completing his graduate studies at the University of Central Florida in 2017. During his time there, he earned top ensemble placements and worked as a recording engineer for the university’s music department. As an educator, Josh emphasizes helping students identify their unique strengths and giving them the tools to explore those strengths beyond lessons and practice. His teaching philosophy centers on creativity, goal-setting, and fostering self-confidence—encouraging students to become well-rounded musicians and independent problem solvers. Joshua currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Seminole State College and as Principal Timpanist for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. An active freelance musician across Central Florida, he is also an accomplished composer whose work has been featured by institutions such as Duke University and AudioJungle.
When not performing or teaching, Josh enjoys jet skiing, video games, and cooking international cuisine for friends and family.
Mary Seal
Percussion
Mary Seal has been an integral part of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra since its founding, serving both as a musician and dedicated member of the Board of Directors. She has played an active leadership role since 2010, holding the position of Treasurer from 2010–2014 and again since January 2020. In her role, she manages the orchestra’s financial operations, preparing and presenting monthly reports to the Board, overseeing receivables, and coordinating with the SCSO bookkeeper on payables and reconciliations.
A valued member of the ensemble since its inception, Mary performs primarily on French horn and occasionally on percussion. She has been a longtime friend and colleague of SCSO Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins.
Mary earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, where she performed with the Racine Symphony and Chippewa Valley Civic Symphony. Since moving to Florida in 1983, she has performed with numerous ensembles, including the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, Central Florida Winds, Space Coast Pops, Melbourne Municipal Band, Community Band of Brevard, Melbourne Community Orchestra, Sunshine Brass Quintet, and the Harbor City Horn Quartet and Choir.
Before retiring, Mary worked for more than 30 years as an Accounts Receivable and Finance Manager for FLORIDA TODAY and the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Aiden Ervin
Percussion
Aidan Ervin is a percussion educator and performer based in Central Florida. He holds a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance from Truman State University, where he studied with Dr. Michael Bump, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University, where his teachers included Dr. Caleb Pickering, Dr. Andrew Morales, and Dr. Katy Strickland.
As a performer, Aidan has worked with a number of professional ensembles, including the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, River City Rhythm Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Maples Repertory Theatre. Aidan has earned recognition in several solo competitions: he placed second in the 2024 Missouri Day of Percussion Marimba Competition, third in the 2020 Mid-Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy, and was a two-time honorable mention recipient in the Southern Illinois Young Artist Association Instrumental Competition (2023 and 2024). He also won the 2023 Gold Medal Concerto Competition at Truman State University, performing Áskell Másson’s Konzertstück for snare drum with the Truman State University Symphony Orchestra.
As an educator, Aidan has worked with percussion programs across Northwest Missouri and Central Florida. While serving as Director of Percussion at Kirksville High School (2023–24), the marching percussion ensemble placed in the top three at several indoor competitions, and the spring percussion ensemble received Superior ratings at the state large ensemble festival. His private students have gone on to win youth orchestra auditions, earn scholarships to college music programs, and receive Superior ratings at state solo and ensemble festivals.
Aidan currently serves as a freelance performer and instructor in Orlando, Florida. He is the head percussion instructor at DeLand High School and Lake Brantley High School, on staff with Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Corps, and teaches privately. Aidan also performs with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra regularly as a section percussionist.
Aidan is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and the Salyers Percussion Education Team.
Dylan Rhodes
Piano & Percussion
Dylan Rhodes is a freshman pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at the Florida State University College of Music. A versatile musician, he is also proficient on saxophone, clarinet, oboe, and percussion, and has performed with numerous ensembles across Central Florida.
During high school, Dylan studied under the distinguished Dr. Yun-Ling Hsu, President of the World Piano Teachers Association, in Orlando, FL. He now continues his studies with Dr. Heidi Louise Williams, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at Florida State University.
Dylan has performed with a wide range of ensembles, including the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra, Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, Space Coast Wind Ensemble, Space Coast Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Cocoa Village Playhouse, and the Melbourne Community Orchestra. He has contributed to multiple world premieres of both solo and orchestral works and has appeared as a concerto soloist with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra (Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F) and the Melbourne Community Orchestra (Rhapsody in Blue and Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor).
In recognition of his artistry, Dylan was nominated for the Irene Muir Piano Award for his performances in the 2022 Federation of Music Clubs Competition, and in 2024, he earned second prize in Florida State University’s 14th Annual Competitive Festival.
Jean Black
Principal Piano
Jean Black is a Brevard County native, born in Rockledge, Florida. She began studying piano under the tutelage of Connie Trainor, with whom she studied from the age of five through high school. During her school years, Jean sang with her family, played handbells, and began playing the flute, but piano remained her first love. By age 15, she was the accompanist for the Titusville High School Madrigals. Upon her high school graduation, she attended The Florida State University, where she minored in music while pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film from the School of Motion Picture, Television, and Recording Arts. Over the past 25 years, Jean has earned a reputation for excellence as a collaborative pianist working with Brevard County public school choirs and soloists, band and orchestra students, and theatrical productions at the Cocoa Village Playhouse, Titusville Playhouse, and the Henegar Center. In 2016, she had the privilege of playing keyboard at The Dr. Philips Center in Orlando for the National Tour of “Wicked.” She is the principal pianist and keyboardist for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra and works frequently with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Central Florida Winds, Orlando Light Opera, Opera del Sol, Central Florida Vocal Arts, Riverside Chamber Orchestra, and Riverside Community Chorale. She is the accompanist for the Brevard Chorale at Eastern Florida State College and serves in the worship arts ministry at Indian River City United Methodist Church as a pianist and singer.
Jacob Craig
Piano
Dr. Jacob Craig is the Director of Music and Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. He received his Bachelor of Music Education and Piano Performance degree from Shorter University in Rome, GA before moving on to Tallahassee, FL to receive his M.M. in Choral Conducting and Literature under Dr. Andre Thomas at Florida State University. As of 2019, Jacob completed his Doctorate of Sacred Music in Performance at the Graduate Theological Foundation and Oxford University. He is the Director of the Vero Beach Choral Society, ACTS Choristers, Sea Oaks Chorus, John’s Island Singers, and Silver Tones community choirs. Jacob is also a competitive highland bagpipe player and Pipe Major for the Vero Beach Pipes and Drums.
Alessandro Fonseca
Piano
Praised for his colorful contrasts and fiery playing, Dr. Alessandro Fonseca has been recognized as a “musician that seeks the inner message of every note played and aims to deliver a sound both passionate and intense, but also delicate and refined.” Dr. Fonseca has won several prizes in piano competitions in South America and also international prizes, such as 1st place in the 2019 Vienna Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition and the 2nd Prize in the Piano Section, from the 2021 Medici International Competition, Professional category. During his career, Fonseca has participated in many international festivals such as the “Liszt and Russia” festival in Los Angeles, where he—alongside other performers—played Lyapunov’s Transcendental Etudes. As a member of the American Liszt Society, he has also performed many concerts, including Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes, opera and song paraphrases, transcriptions, the b minor sonata and many others. Dr. Fonseca won the University of Oregon 2021 Concerto Competition playing the Khachaturian Piano Concerto. Recent performances include solo recitals playing Liszt’s b minor sonata and Beethoven’s 5th piano concerto with the DSC Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, Dr. Fonseca was awarded Second Prize at the Red Maple International Music Competition, at the Professional Musician Category. He was also awarded the Audience Prize Winner in the Concerto Competition, for his rendition of the Khachaturian Piano Concerto and M. Balakirev’s Islamey. Dr. Fonseca works as Faculty at the Daytona State College and he is teaching piano and working as an accompanist for the music school. Originally from Brazil, Dr. Fonseca currently maintains an active career performing solo and chamber music recitals. As a chamber musician, Dr. Fonseca has performed numerous concerts in different formations. One important project is his Duo Alarte, a violin-piano collaboration with Ana Zivkovic, an active duo that performs many concerts in South America. Dr. Fonseca is also the pianist for the Bel Canto Singers of Daytona. Alessandro initiated his piano studies and musical training in his hometown, Campo Belo, MG, in Brazil when he was 10 years old, with Gil Eliazar. Further finished his Undergraduate course under the guidance of Professor Miriam Bastos, at the Minas Gerais State University. Later he finished his Master’s in Piano Performance under the guidance of professor Alexandre Dossin, at the University of Oregon and also received an award with his degree: the Outstanding Graduate Student Keyboard Player. Alessandro had studied also with Dr David Riley, at the University of Oregon, working on chamber music repertoire. In 2021, Alessandro was awarded the Doctorate in Musical Arts, at the University of Oregon, under the guidance of Alexandre Dossin and David Riley. At the UO, Alessandro worked for 6 years, as a collaborative pianist, doing studio accompaniment for vocalists and instrumentalists. Dr. Fonseca also worked as a piano instructor, teaching applied piano lessons, and class piano.
