Mr. George Rahming, Jr. – Department Head, Performing & Visual Arts
Performing & Visual Arts Department
TBA – High School Band Director, IB & AICE Music
High School Band Director Biography Coming Soon!
Mrs. Budhu is currently our Middle School Art Teacher. She has been an educator since 1988 and has taught K-12, traditional and digital art in other countries and the US. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree specializing in Fine Arts.
Theatre Director Biography Coming Soon!
Ms. Laura Hopkins – Middle School and High School Orchestra Director
Laura.Hopkins@stlucieschools.org
Laura Hopkins has been a teacher for 39 years; Ms. Hopkins has taught at several schools in both Wisconsin and Florida. Most recently she teaches Orchestras and Exploring Music Classes at Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce. She is an adjudicator for the Bak Middle School of the Arts solo and ensemble festival, has served as co-principal cello with the Palm Beach Atlantic University Symphony Orchestra, Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra and the Treasure Coast Symphony. Ms. Hopkins teaches private lessons on violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, and beginning piano. She has a degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a Master’s in Music History from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and completed course work for a pre-vet degree at the University of Milwaukee. She is a current member of FMEA, and the Florida Orchestra Association. She conducted the Four County High School Honors Orchestra in 2023. Besides this, her biggest accomplishments include singing alto with Andrea Bocelli, and inspiring former students to become professional musicians and teachers. She performs regularly on cello and violin throughout Palm Beach and surrounding counties.
Mr. Jason Hatfield is the current director of the jazz and concert bands at Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce, Florida. Prior to his career at Lincoln Park, he spent 16 years at Palm Pointe Educational Research School where he was the founding band director.
He has also been an active band director in Miami-Dade County as both a director and clinician. He is a graduate of Maranatha Baptist University and holds a master’s degree in Instrumental conducting from Southern Oregon University He is also a graduate of the Lincoln Center Jazz Academy. He is a two-time consecutive recipient of the Linda Mann Five-year superior award for band directors and has served as the chair of the Florida Bandmasters Association State Composition Committee. Mr. Hatfield is an active member of FBA, and FMEA where he is an FBA Certified Adjudicator and is regularly called upon to adjudicate for Music Performance Assessment Evaluations throughout the state. He is a Conn-Selmer VIP and 2017 teacher of the year for Palm Pointe Educational Research School. His Jazz and concert groups regularly receive the highest ratings at FBA district festivals. He is also a past winner of best overall Middle School Band at Lakeside Jazz Festival.
Mr. McGarry earned his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree at Fordham University at Lincoln Center in New York. He also studied Art History with New York University at the Instituto Internacional in Madrid, Spain. He has been teaching Visual Art in the Saint Lucie District for over twenty years, including three years in the Carolinas. He has taught at all academic levels, kindergarten through 12th Grade, and in alternative programs. His students have contributed and gained recognition in numerous county and state-wide exhibits, events, and competitions. With certification in Art K-12 as his primary credential, he is certified in ESOL and Spanish and also utilizes classroom skills in these areas to inspire and engage his students.
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}George Rahming, Jr. brings more than 43 years of excellence in music education to Lincoln Park Academy, where he has served as Choral Director for the past 20 years. A graduate of Bethune-Cookman University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Florida Atlantic University with a Master’s Degree, Mr. Rahming has dedicated his career to inspiring students through the transformative power of music.
Under his leadership, Lincoln Park Academy’s choral program has earned a reputation for outstanding achievement. Despite maintaining an intimate ensemble of approximately 40–45 singers, the program consistently receives Superior ratings at district, state, and national music performance assessments. His choirs have been honored with invitations to perform at renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Lincoln Park Academy middle school choir program has also achieved consistent Superior ratings at the district level.
Mr. Rahming’s commitment to excellence has been recognized throughout his career. He has been named Lincoln Park Academy’s Distinguished Minority Educator of the Year three times and received the same distinction while serving at St. Lucie West Centennial High School. In 2017, he was selected as Lincoln Park Academy’s Teacher of the Year.
Beyond the classroom, Mr. Rahming serves as a certified adjudicator for the Florida Vocal Association and is widely respected as a mentor to both beginning and experienced choral directors. His passion for music education, dedication to student success, and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence continue to leave a lasting impact on generations of students and educators alike.
At Lincoln Park Academy, Mr. Rahming’s leadership embodies #TheLPAStandard, fostering a tradition of musical achievement that enriches the school and community.
