Eternity Music Academy Faculty
Rusty Farmer
Rusty Farmer has been teaching music in the Richmond area for over 30 years. A native of Richmond, Rusty studied string bass at Virginia Commonwealth University where he completed his Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies. Rusty has studied with Clarence Seay, Paul Langosch, Mark Bernat, Victor Dvoskin, Doug Richards, Paul Bedell and John D’earth.
Rusty teaches string bass, bass guitar (electric bass), beginning cello, beginning guitar, ukulele, music theory and beginning piano. He is currently guitar and string bass/ bass guitar instructor at several institutions in the Richmond Metro region. His goal as an instructor is to motivate, inspire and educate the total musician. He is well versed in music theory and improvisation as well as a variety of musical styles.
As a performer, Rusty has had the privilege to perform with Jason Marz, Stanley Jordan, Harry Allen, Romero Lubambo, Rogerio Boccato, and many others. He is a regular performer at Jazz at the Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club in New York City and has toured Russia, Peru, South America and Ireland. He is a member of the worship team at Eternity Church.
Rusty teaches string bass, bass guitar (electric bass), beginning cello, beginning guitar, ukulele, music theory and beginning piano. He is currently guitar and string bass/ bass guitar instructor at several institutions in the Richmond Metro region. His goal as an instructor is to motivate, inspire and educate the total musician. He is well versed in music theory and improvisation as well as a variety of musical styles.
As a performer, Rusty has had the privilege to perform with Jason Marz, Stanley Jordan, Harry Allen, Romero Lubambo, Rogerio Boccato, and many others. He is a regular performer at Jazz at the Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club in New York City and has toured Russia, Peru, South America and Ireland. He is a member of the worship team at Eternity Church.
Lawrence Heath
Lawrence Heath has taught children, youth, and adults in the public schools, at Geneva College, and in music ministries in several churches. He teaches private piano lessons at Eternity Music Academy on Monday afternoons. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Eastern Nazarene College, his Masters Degree from Westminster Choir College, and pursued Doctoral Studies at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Larry previously served as Artistic Director of the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, and retired from the position of Director of Music & Principal Organist at River Road Presbyterian Church in Henrico in 2017. He currently serves as Organist/Choir Director at Ginter Park United Methodist Church. Larry and his wife, Laurel, live in Quinton, VA, where they enjoy beautiful Kent Lake and visits from their 5 grandchildren.
Lawrence Heath has taught children, youth, and adults in the public schools, at Geneva College, and in music ministries in several churches. He teaches private piano lessons at Eternity Music Academy on Monday afternoons. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Eastern Nazarene College, his Masters Degree from Westminster Choir College, and pursued Doctoral Studies at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Larry previously served as Artistic Director of the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, and retired from the position of Director of Music & Principal Organist at River Road Presbyterian Church in Henrico in 2017. He currently serves as Organist/Choir Director at Ginter Park United Methodist Church. Larry and his wife, Laurel, live in Quinton, VA, where they enjoy beautiful Kent Lake and visits from their 5 grandchildren.
Chris Lucas
Chris Lucas began playing guitar at age 11, after 5 years of piano study. He later received two music degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, including a Masters in composition. He stays active as a songwriter, performer, arranger, and accompanist at his church, in the community, and along the East Coast. He has recorded 4 solo CD's of his own songs and instrumentals, and has appeared on the recording projects of many others. He regularly performs at local establishments such as Cafe Caturras and The Country Club of Virginia.
Chris has opened concerts for internationally known artists including Phil Keaggy, Pierce Pettis, Ashley Cleveland, and Andrew Peterson. He composed The Three Penny Cantata, a Lenten/Easter song cycle which he and singer Laura Ann Singh perform at local churches. In 2008 he was awarded a Momentum Award as Acoustic Artist of
the Year by Indieheaven, a Nashville organization devoted to Christian independent artists. He also received a Momentum Award in 2009 as Instrumentalist of the Year. Chris and Laura Ann Singh have also collaborated on two recording projects, all of which feature songs written either by Chris or Wally Boyd, Laura Ann's father. Chris teaches Monday and Tuesday evenings at EMA.
Chris has opened concerts for internationally known artists including Phil Keaggy, Pierce Pettis, Ashley Cleveland, and Andrew Peterson. He composed The Three Penny Cantata, a Lenten/Easter song cycle which he and singer Laura Ann Singh perform at local churches. In 2008 he was awarded a Momentum Award as Acoustic Artist of
the Year by Indieheaven, a Nashville organization devoted to Christian independent artists. He also received a Momentum Award in 2009 as Instrumentalist of the Year. Chris and Laura Ann Singh have also collaborated on two recording projects, all of which feature songs written either by Chris or Wally Boyd, Laura Ann's father. Chris teaches Monday and Tuesday evenings at EMA.
Roger Novak
Roger Novak teaches brass and piano lessons. He has enjoyed over 30 years of professional experience in music education with students of all ages. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of New Mexico, and then taught instrumental music in Clovis, NM for four years. He then served in U.S. Air Force Bands for 22 years, where he performed in the concert band, chamber winds, woodwind quintet and brass quintet. While in the Air Force, he recorded 42 internationally released CD’s, and has recorded in the private sector with the National Chamber Players, National Symphonic Winds, Richmond Symphony, and the Virginia Symphony.
Mr. Novak is a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic in South Africa, Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony, Richmond Ballet, North Carolina Symphony, Williamsburg Symphony, St. Louis Philharmonic, and the Southwest Symphony Orchestra. He is a founding member and manager of the Capital Horn Quartet, and stays active as a freelance musician, clinician, adjudicator and teacher in the Richmond and Hampton Roads Metro areas. He serves as the director of Eternity Music Academy and ministers with the worship team at Eternity Church.
Mr. Novak is a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic in South Africa, Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony, Richmond Ballet, North Carolina Symphony, Williamsburg Symphony, St. Louis Philharmonic, and the Southwest Symphony Orchestra. He is a founding member and manager of the Capital Horn Quartet, and stays active as a freelance musician, clinician, adjudicator and teacher in the Richmond and Hampton Roads Metro areas. He serves as the director of Eternity Music Academy and ministers with the worship team at Eternity Church.
Dennis Pucci
Dennis Pucci has been an active singer and thespian for six decades. He started playing clarinet as a 5th grader in New Jersey, and added saxophone lessons as a high school sophomore to be part of the stage band. He double majored in clarinet and voice at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in NJ, and earned a Masters in Vocal Performance at Syracuse University while serving as a graduate teaching assistant. His other musical studies include the Aspen Music Festival and the Amato Opera in New York City, performing the roles of Guglielmo (Cosi Fan Tutte), Count Almaviva (Marriage of Figaro), Baron Scarpia (Tosca) and Ford (Falstaff).
Mr. Pucci has served as a music educator for 50 years, teaching vocal/choral and/or instrumental music in New Jersey and New York public schools, a community college and a private Christian school while maintaining a studio for private students of all ages. He also served as a New York State All-State Adjudicator for more than 30 years. Conducting credits include Northern Choral Society (Watertown NY) and a number of church and community choruses.
Dennis has also been active in community groups both in lead roles (Kiss Me Kate, Kismet, Gypsy, I Do I Do and Annie) and as soloist in oratorios (Messiah, Elijah and others). He has played woodwinds in a 17 piece Big Band and various pit bands since high school. He and his wife recently moved to Richmond to be closer to family (especially their new grandson) and he cherishes the opportunity to share the joy of music with students of all ages. Mr. Pucci teaches woodwind and voice lessons.
Dennis Pucci has been an active singer and thespian for six decades. He started playing clarinet as a 5th grader in New Jersey, and added saxophone lessons as a high school sophomore to be part of the stage band. He double majored in clarinet and voice at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in NJ, and earned a Masters in Vocal Performance at Syracuse University while serving as a graduate teaching assistant. His other musical studies include the Aspen Music Festival and the Amato Opera in New York City, performing the roles of Guglielmo (Cosi Fan Tutte), Count Almaviva (Marriage of Figaro), Baron Scarpia (Tosca) and Ford (Falstaff).
Mr. Pucci has served as a music educator for 50 years, teaching vocal/choral and/or instrumental music in New Jersey and New York public schools, a community college and a private Christian school while maintaining a studio for private students of all ages. He also served as a New York State All-State Adjudicator for more than 30 years. Conducting credits include Northern Choral Society (Watertown NY) and a number of church and community choruses.
Dennis has also been active in community groups both in lead roles (Kiss Me Kate, Kismet, Gypsy, I Do I Do and Annie) and as soloist in oratorios (Messiah, Elijah and others). He has played woodwinds in a 17 piece Big Band and various pit bands since high school. He and his wife recently moved to Richmond to be closer to family (especially their new grandson) and he cherishes the opportunity to share the joy of music with students of all ages. Mr. Pucci teaches woodwind and voice lessons.
