Annie and the Tots

Annie Matot

Annie Matot is a freshman at the University of Florida. She discovered her passion for music when she was cast as Wendy Darling in the St. Mark’s Episcopal School production of Peter Pan in 8th grade. In that role, she truly found her voice which created the path to her future. After that musical, she knew she wanted to sing and perform in high school. She decided to attend The King's Academy and joined The Smith Family Conservatory of the Arts program to begin pursuing her dreams. At TKA, she has performed in all the TKA Theatre Company’s main stage productions including Newsies, Titanic, Miss Saigon, Cinderella, Aida, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Light in the Piazza, and most recently in leading roles as Meg March in Little Women, Cosette in Les Misérables and Miss Andrews in Mary Poppins. She was featured as the starring vocalist in The King’s Regiment homecoming halftime show performing Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now.

Annie has been the soloist with the TKA Jazz Ensemble since her sophomore year. Some of her favorite songs from her performances are No Moon at All, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Hallelujah, I Love Him So, Save the Last Dance for Me and holiday classics including Sleigh Ride and Jingle Bells.

Annie has used her newfound love for jazz by creating her own group called The Annie Matot Jazz Quintet. This group has performed the classics across the state of Florida at high-end restaurants, private clubs, charitable events, outdoor concerts, and weddings. They have quickly developed a following in the South Florida community as well as on Facebook and Instagram. In February of 2022, the Annie Matot Jazz Quintet held its own cabaret show at The King’s Academy called Let’s Fall in Love to celebrate Valentine’s Day! The show sold out on both nights and offered a new, unique atmosphere to The King’s Academy stage. Guests were wowed by the delicious deserts, beverages, and classic songs performed by the band.

Annie was one of 40 students across the country to be chosen for the Michael Feinstein’s Songbook Academy for 2021 and 2022. This weeklong summer intensive allowed her to study under the direction of Broadway and jazz stars. This phenomenal experience led to the incredible opportunity to perform on stage with jazz icon, Michael Feinstein, at his New York City jazz club, Feinstein’s 54 Below. When Michael Feinstein came to the Kravis Center in March, Annie was invited to perform Almost Like Being in Love alongside trumpet player, Ethan Rapp.

The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble wrapped up their season with Night of Jazz in April. Annie was able to perform alongside Hollywood’s renowned trumpeter, Wayne Bergeron, on Cry Me a River. She also opened the show by performing Barbra Streisand’s iconic number from the musical Funny Girl, Don’t Rain on My Parade. During the show, Annie sung two duets with fellow Young Artist of the Year, Chris Santiago.

Most recently, Annie was awarded first place as the Vocal Pathfinder for Palm Beach County. The Pathfinder Award is one of the largest and most comprehensive high school scholarship competitions within Palm Beach and Martin County. She was also awarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award from the TKA Conservatory of the Arts.

Ethan Rapp

Ethan Rapp is a freshman at Southeastern University and the solo trumpet player in the Annie Matot Jazz Quintet. He started his musical journey at The King’s Academy in The Smith Family Conservatory of the Arts when he was in 7th grade. As a middle schooler, Ethan joined the Jazz Ensemble, which is a daunting task for any new student especially a 7th grader. He has been the lead trumpet player and section leader for the past two years. Ethan has also auditioned and was selected into The Palm Beach All-County Jazz Band for 2019 and 2021. This year, he earned a spot in the top All-County Jazz Band as the second chair trumpet player. Ethan was awarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award from the TKA Conservatory of the Arts.

The experiences, memories, and relationships he has made while in The Smith Family Conservatory of the Arts are irreplaceable. He has formed lifelong friends who have and continue to encourage him to be a better musician, leader, and person. He is thankful for his friends and family who have been a great support to him over these last few years. Ethan is especially grateful for the Annie Matot Jazz Quintet and the memorable experiences and performance opportunities that they have accomplished together. He would like to shoutout Annie, Ashton, Hadiya, and Alex; “I love you guys!” Ethan would also like to thank Mr. Lowe for the truly amazing job he does leading the band program. The hard work, care, effort, and love Mr. Lowe pours into his students are unmatched.  

Hadiya Stewart

Hadiya Stewart is the bass player for the Annie Matot Jazz Quintet. She is a junior at The King’s Academy and is one of Florida’s top emerging bass players within the state. She has auditioned and earned a spot in the Florida All-State Orchestra for the past four years. In addition to the All-State Orchestras, Hadiya has participated in local orchestras throughout her musical career. She has played with the Palm Beach Atlantic University Orchestra, the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County, the Florida Intergenerational Orchestra, and the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA), which she experienced the summer before going into eighth grade. She played under the instruction of many fine musicians and conductors including famous conductor, Gustavo Dudamel. Hadiya really enjoyed this experience because she was able to meet and play with musicians her age from across the country. From this experience, Hadiya learned that music is a way of uniting many people from across the world.

Hadiya has also loved participating at TKA in the Symphony Orchestra, The King’s Regiment, and the Jazz Ensemble. Although each style is very different, Hadiya loves to be able to broaden her horizons when it comes to music. Plus, she enjoys the fun and experiences that comes with being a member in each group. Hadiya’s goals in life include going to college to become a pediatric doctor or surgeon, continuing to play the bass in any and every setting that she can, and traveling around the world (starting with the Caribbean). She loves being in the Conservatory Program at TKA because it gives her the ability to grow as a musician and prepare for the music world that lies ahead.

Alex Theodore

Alex Theodore is the pianist for the Annie Matot Jazz Quintet. He is a senior at The King’s Academy and has been performing in the Smith Family Conservatory of the Arts since 9th grade. He plays piano and percussion in the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and The King’s Regiment Marching Band. Alex started piano at the age of six, where he began taking private lessons that he continued throughout his childhood. In the fifth grade, he joined the Calypso Cats, a band club where he played the steel drum and performed at the South Florida Fair. Throughout middle school, Alex was involved in the band program and started to learn percussion as well as jazz piano in the school’s jazz band.

Throughout his musical career, Alex’s passion for piano only grew with time as he developed his skills. This passion was also shaped by his teachers: Jan Lewan, Rich Switzer, and Mr. Lowe all helped in cultivating and guiding Alex in his musical abilities. Alex was heavily impacted by the many experiences and friends he has made throughout his time playing piano. Some of his fondest memories include singing karaoke with the Quintet and going out to eat with his bandmates after performances. Alex has always found interest in music and has played songs from various genres of music. While he currently plays jazz piano, he has also played classical and rock songs. Playing piano has always been a source of joy and excitement for Alex and has provided him a deeper love and appreciation for music.

Ashton Horne

Ashton Horne is the drummer in the Annie Matot Jazz Quintet and is a sophomore at The King’s Academy. The drum set has been a big part of his life since his kit on his 1st birthday. Since that time, he has had the honor of playing at his church (where he has played for six years) and in The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble. The opportunity to play in The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble is particularly exciting because of his love of Jazz. Ever since he was first introduced to Frank Sinatra, he has had a great passion for this type of music. In fact, Jazz was the first genre of music he started listening to. In the summer of 2021, he was approached by his band director and asked to be a part of the Annie Matot Jazz Quintet. From the moment he was asked, he knew that he could not pass up this incredible privilege. He is extremely grateful for this opportunity every day. His favorite memory since becoming a member of the Quintet was the day the band traveled to the Angler’s Club in Key Largo. That was the day he realized how special and unique the Quintet was to him.

Ashton would like to thank everyone who helped him to get to where he is today. He is grateful for Mr. Rivero, his drum instructor, who has taught him so much and has been nothing but encouraging since the day he began lessons. Also, his band director, Mr. Lowe has given him this incredible opportunity and has been a mentor to him since 4th grade year. Finally, he is grateful for his parents’ support in taking him to every concert and helping him to set up every piece of equipment. Being involved in the Annie Matot Jazz Quintet has been an experience that he will carry with him forever and is so excited to see where it takes him next.