Sharon S. Butler, director of MONARCH MUSIC ACADEMY, is originally from Long Island, New York. She has devoted the better part of her life to the fine arts discipline and continues those efforts here in southwest Florida. Ms. Butler received her BFA degree in Music Performance from Long Island University in New York where she graduated cum laude as an InterFuture Scholar. Her graduate studies in music performance and education were also at LIU. Prior to and during her attendance at the university, Ms. Butler studied under the tutelege of several respected artists from top performing institutions including the Julliard School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. Some of these artists were members of the New York Philharmonic and others have performed nationally at such venues as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall as well as abroad. Ms. Butler has performed both as a soloist and member of a number of chamber groups and orchestras. She received the National Orchestra Award in 1976 and was formerly a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Throughout the years, Ms. Butler has continued to pursue her music career in performance and education and has served as conductor for several performing groups in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest. She has taught both privately and in private schools and directed a number of choral and orchestral groups. She brings with her over 45 years of experience.