Erin Trent - Zachary Manager
In addition to her managerial duties, Erin Trent is a voice and piano instructor and has been part of the Rockin Mozart community since 2023. With a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from LSU, specializing in voice and choral music, Erin brings extensive training and experience to every lesson. Her musical journey began with piano lessons at age six and has continued through years of vocal, choral, and opera study.
As a performer, Erin has sung as both a soloist and choral musician. She performed with LSU choirs at major American Choral Directors Association conventions, including a memorable appearance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. During her time at LSU, she also participated in LSU Opera and Baton Rouge Opera. Erin has served as a cantor, section leader, and choir member at local churches, including St. Joseph Cathedral and Our Lady of Mercy in Baton Rouge.
Erin’s diverse professional background helps her connect with students and support them as individuals. In addition to her music education degree, she holds master’s degrees in Social Work and Library and Information Science. She also spent 13 years working in the public library system, including five years as a children’s services Librarian at the Central Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. These experiences strengthened her ability to listen, understand each student’s unique needs, and create a welcoming, encouraging learning environment.
Erin believes that learning to sing and play music should be a joyful journey of discovery. Her lessons combine skill-building with creativity, encouragement, and plenty of opportunities for students to grow at their own pace. With her warm, patient, and student-centered approach, Erin helps learners feel comfortable taking risks, celebrating their progress, and building the confidence to share their genuine musical voice.
Rockin Mozart Zachary Staff
Mark Dupont
Frank Tirado-Fontaines
Frank Tirado-Fontaines
Senior Instructor
Mark Dupont is a drum and guitar instructor and rock band leader who has been part of the Rockin’ Mozart family for more than a decade. A native of Plaquemine, Louisiana, Mark has performed live since age 12 and taught music since age 20. He brings extensive real-world performance experience to his teaching, helping s
Senior Instructor
Mark Dupont is a drum and guitar instructor and rock band leader who has been part of the Rockin’ Mozart family for more than a decade. A native of Plaquemine, Louisiana, Mark has performed live since age 12 and taught music since age 20. He brings extensive real-world performance experience to his teaching, helping students develop their skills, confidence, and individual style.
Mark has performed throughout the Baton Rouge metropolitan area and across Louisiana, as well as in Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; Natchez and Jackson, Mississippi; Austin, Texas; and Destin, Florida. He has played with bands including The Anteeks, The Dupont Brothers, The Hitchhiker, Dalton Wayne & the Warmadillos, The Helldörados, A.C. and the Promised Band, Spice Rack, and The Mudkatz.
At Rockin’ Mozart, Mark leads student rock bands, teaching young musicians to collaborate as an ensemble while continuing to grow individually. He also led the Grilled Cheese Theory in the first annual Zachary Mardi Gras Parade, where the band won Best Overall Float.
A History major, Mark understands that every lifelong passion contributes to a person’s story. He encourages students to develop their talents, build confidence, and create their own unique musical history.
Frank Tirado-Fontaines
Frank Tirado-Fontaines
Frank Tirado-Fontaines
Instructor
Frank Tirado-Fontaines is one of our instructors at our Zachary Location, and has a vast amount of experience playing in orchestras and teaching violin. His musical journey started in his home country of Venezuela in the massive musical program: El Sistema. There, he played in the youth orchestras and studied with several violi
Instructor
Frank Tirado-Fontaines is one of our instructors at our Zachary Location, and has a vast amount of experience playing in orchestras and teaching violin. His musical journey started in his home country of Venezuela in the massive musical program: El Sistema. There, he played in the youth orchestras and studied with several violin professors such as: Leonardo Hurtado and Heemath Jahoor. He also took chamber music classes with professors Florian Ebersberg and Adrian Ascanio. From 2008 to 2014, Frank taught young violinists of El Sistema and played in his hometowns professional orchestra (OSEG). In 2014 he moved to Chile to play in orchestras and to teach young artists of that region. He has participated in several festivals, chamber music courses, and masterclasses throughout his career, such as: New England Conservatory and FESNOJIV Seminar (2010), String Quartets Latin America Academy Seminar (2010), Dispotraining for Musicians and Teach to Teach (2014-2016), and International Music Festival FIMA (2020). In these events he had the opportunity to learn from international masters such as: Levon Chillingirian, Nicholas Kitchen, Ingrid Zur, Jorg Heyer, Emmanuele Baldini, and Erzhan Kulibaev. Frank is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Violin Perfomance, at Louisiana State University under the tutelage of professor Espen Lilleslatten.
Tyler Barbier
Frank Tirado-Fontaines
Tyler Barbier
Senior Instructor
Manager of Donaldsonville
Director of Sales
Tyler M. Barbier is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist known for his versatility in rock and classical music. He began his musical education at 14 under the guidance of Dr. Michael Berthelot, gaining years of classical performance experience while also actively participating in loc
Senior Instructor
Manager of Donaldsonville
Director of Sales
Tyler M. Barbier is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist known for his versatility in rock and classical music. He began his musical education at 14 under the guidance of Dr. Michael Berthelot, gaining years of classical performance experience while also actively participating in local rock, punk, metal, and blues bands since 2013. In 2023, Tyler became band director at Ascension Catholic, enriching students' musical education through after-school programs. He also manages Rockin' Mozart in Donaldsonville and serves as head of retail, drawing on over 12 years of retail management experience. Tyler's musical influences are broad, including Underoath, War of Ages, MXPX, Santana, Ozzy Osbourne, Joe Satriani, and Kuttles. With a focus on personalized teaching methods, Tyler adapts his curriculum to each student's unique needs, empowering them on their musical journey.
Maria Ortega
Dakota Kennedy
Maria Ortega
Instructor
Maria Ortega is one of our instructors here at Rockin Mozart. She is a cellist with strong experience in orchestral work, and teaching experience in Venezuela, Chile, and the United States. She had her beginnings in music back in her home country of Venezuela, in the well-known program El Sistema. She obtained a Bachelor's degre
Instructor
Maria Ortega is one of our instructors here at Rockin Mozart. She is a cellist with strong experience in orchestral work, and teaching experience in Venezuela, Chile, and the United States. She had her beginnings in music back in her home country of Venezuela, in the well-known program El Sistema. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in modern languages (English and French), and in 2016 she moved to Northern Chile to play in orchestras and teach young artists. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in cello performance at LSU. Maria has also played in various orchestras such as LSU Symphony, Acadiana Symphony, and Rapides Symphony Orchesra. She also has participated in Opera in the Ozarks in Arkansas state. As a soloist, Maria has performed in: Dispotraining (Iquique 2016), Chamber Music Festival (Iquique 2017-2018), Teach to Teach Masterclasses (Villarrica 2018-2019), Antofagasta International Music Festival (2020), and Collaborate String Institute (Baton Rouge 2023). She has learned under prestigious international professors such as Ingrid Zur (Argentina-Germany), Jorg Heyer (Germany), Heidi Litschauer (Austria), Rodrigo Pozo (Chile), Emmanuele Baldini (Italy), Alvaro Bitran (Chile-Mexico), Dennis Parker (USA), and Rita Sloan (USA).
Matthew Davis
Dakota Kennedy
Maria Ortega
Instructor
(Information Coming Soon)
Dakota Kennedy
Dakota Kennedy
Dakota Kennedy
Instructor
Dakota E. Kennedy is a dedicated multi-instrumentalist specializing in band and orchestra pedagogy. With nearly 20 years of performance experience on oboe and piano, Dakota has showcased his talents across a wide array of styles and ensembles. His musical education has been shaped by esteemed teachers such as Jaren Atherholdt (P
Instructor
Dakota E. Kennedy is a dedicated multi-instrumentalist specializing in band and orchestra pedagogy. With nearly 20 years of performance experience on oboe and piano, Dakota has showcased his talents across a wide array of styles and ensembles. His musical education has been shaped by esteemed teachers such as Jaren Atherholdt (Principal Oboe, LPO), Johanna Pennington (Baldwin Wallace University), and Andrew Parker (Louisiana State University). Currently, Dakota is pursuing a degree in Music Composition at Louisiana State University under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Nabors and Dr. Mara Gibson. His recent accomplishments include the premiere of his song cycle, "Button Songs," at the Mostly Modern Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York, and serving as both chair and performer with the Civic Orchestra of Baton Rouge. A passionate advocate for new music, Dakota leads the COBR Young Composers Initiative, which aims to spotlight the works of emerging local composers. He is also an active member of various LSU concert ensembles, further contributing to the vibrant musical community.