OUR FACULTY
ERIC BUFFAT
Educational Director, he is a composer, producer, arranger, pianist, and author of highly successful songs, including “Un’emergenza d’Amore” by Laura Pausini, “In vacanza da una vita” by Irene Grandi, and “Stai con me” by Raf.
He has collaborated with major Italian and international artists, including Laura Pausini, whom he supported for over ten years during world tours, Raf, Paolo Vallesi, Irene Grandi, Marco Masini, Jovanotti, Eros Ramazzotti, Spagna, Michele Zarrillo, Pino Daniele, and Phil Collins.
He served as a vocal coach on Amici di Maria De Filippi alongside Rudy Zerbi, and since 2016, he has been a regular collaborator with Fiorello as an author, composer, and musical director for Edicola Fiore, Viva RaiPlay, and Viva Rai2.
MAURIZIO TOMBERLI
Artistic Director, pianist, singer, arranger, and composer, he has been the owner and educational director of the Laboratorio Musicale Walter Savelli (LMWS) since 2009.
For over thirty years, he has combined his educational work with his role as an author of teaching methods for modern piano and as a solo performer, appearing in Italy and abroad.
Since 2000, he has been the pianist and singer for the Oversea Orchestra, through which he has collaborated with artists such as Raf, Marco Masini, Laura Pausini, and Pooh.
His experience combines teaching, interpretation, and arrangement in a coherent and authoritative path that makes him a point of reference in contemporary Italian and international musical education.
PAOLO ZAMPINI
Faculty Manager and professor at Florence Academy, he has performed as a soloist and member of prestigious orchestras for over forty-five years, including the RAI Symphony Orchestra in Rome and the Orchestra Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.
He has collaborated with world-renowned composers, including Ennio Morricone, recording hundreds of soundtracks for film and theater, as well as with artists such as Daniele Silvestri and Laura Pausini.
Since 1985, he has been one of Morricone’s preferred performers in international concerts. He has taught at various conservatories and served as the director of the Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini in Florence from 2015 to 2021. Since 2022, he has been the President of the Toscana Produzione Musica association.
"FINAZ" ALESSANDRO FINAZZO
Guitar instructor, he is a guitarist, author, and co-founder of Bandabardò, one of the most representative groups on the Italian music scene.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated in the studio and live with numerous leading artists, including Carmen Consoli, Max Gazzè, Daniele Silvestri, Gipsy Kings, David Sylvian, Piero Pelù, Dolcenera, Modena City Ramblers, Patty Pravo, Michael Manring, Paola Turci, Franco Battiato, Dario Fo, Giobbe Covatta, Goran Bregovic, Stefano Bollani, Caparezza, Roy Paci, Petra Magoni, and Bob Ezrin.
His experience combines musical research, instrumental technique, songwriting, arrangement, and a strong artistic identity developed over years of live and creative activity, with a constant presence on stages in Italy and abroad.
FABIO VITIELLO
Drummer and producer, he has gained extensive live, television, and studio experience collaborating with some of the leading artists on the Italian and international scene.
He has toured as a drummer for artists such as J-Ax, Fedez, Biagio Antonacci, and Laura Pausini.
During his career, he has also participated in numerous major television productions, including the Sanremo Music Festival, Amici di Maria De Filippi, and other prominent programs on the Italian television landscape.
In the studio, he has collaborated with international artists such as Ian Anderson and Chase Holfelder for the recording of various recording projects.
He is currently the educational director of the Drum Factory, as well as holding the role of COO of Golden Factory Records and actively collaborating with Golden Factory Studio.
ANDREA PELATTI
Sound engineer and music producer with consolidated experience in the recording, live, national, and international landscape.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with numerous artists, overseeing both studio and live productions, distinguishing himself for his technical expertise, artistic vision, and attention to sound.
He is currently the CEO of Golden Factory Studio and Golden Factory Records, entities dedicated to the production, recording, and promotion of Italian and international musical projects.
GIACOMO CASTELLANO
Guitar and production instructor, he is a Florentine author and producer.
After studying at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, he developed a professional path that led him to collaborate with artists such as Vasco Rossi, Gianna Nannini, Elisa, Noemi, and Piero Pelù.
He has published two teaching methods and the solo album Cutting Bridges.
Since 2024, he has been a member of Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM).
His work combines concert experience, production, arrangement, and specialized teaching in the fields of rock and metal guitar, improvisation, and musical arrangement, with an artistic, technical, and professional vision developed over years of live and studio career.
GIADA AGASUCCI
Italian singer, performer, and vocal coach, she became known to the general public in 2013 through her participation in Amici di Maria De Filippi, subsequently joining Sony Music.
From 2014 to 2016, she took part in the television show L’Anno che Verrà on Rai 1.
In the following years, she continued her artistic journey by releasing new singles, receiving awards, and debuting in 2018 at the Teatro Brancaccio as a solo vocalist.
In 2021/22, she undertook an international experience as a lead singer on cruise ships with the Belinda King agency.
Returning to Italy in 2022, she continues her artistic activity collaborating with major entities in entertainment and live music.
TOMMASO TOMBERLI
Piano instructor, he is a pianist, singer, and composer.
Born into an artistic family, he has been immersed in music since childhood, developing a path that has led him to perform in some of Florence’s most prestigious venues, such as Four Seasons Florence and Caffè Paszkowski, and in various Tuscan theaters, including the Teatro Politeama and the Teatro Puccini.
A graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music, he is an author of soundtracks distributed on digital platforms.
He teaches piano at LMWS and is the keyboardist and live arrangement coordinator for the band of the young artist Edoardo Brogi.
He has also opened concerts for artists such as Sissy, Ricchi e Poveri, and Alfa, and has gained experience abroad. He combines talent, stage experience, and a contemporary musical vision.
IRENE COLZANI
Vocal instructor, she is an established singer on the Florentine music scene.
She teaches voice and entry-level piano at LMWS, combining her teaching activity with a constant artistic live presence.
She has participated in major television shows, including X-Factor and The Voice of Italy, joining Raffaella Carrà’s team.
Currently, she performs with her band Funky Business and is involved in several live projects and the creation of original songs.
Her experience combines performance, interpretative versatility, and teaching, with an approach focused on the technical and expressive growth of students.
She brings artistic sensitivity, stage experience, and a practical vision of contemporary musical work to the classroom, bridging live experience and education.
ROBERTO TERZANI
Roberto Terzani is a bassist, arranger, artistic producer, and programmer on Logic Pro, with extensive experience in the Italian and international music scene.
He was a member of the historic Bolognese band Windopen, releasing several albums with Cramps Records and CBS Records, and later of Hypnodance, collaborating with artists such as Dr. John, Memphis Horns and The James Taylor Quartet.
For many years, he was a member of Litfiba, holding various roles including bassist, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist, keyboardist, and live electronics programmer.
He currently collaborates as an arranger and artistic producer with Golden Factory Studio.
CHIARA SANTINI
Singer and modern vocal instructor active for years in the Florentine and national music scene.
She performs as a solo singer in various live groups and since 2016 has been a member of the Vocal Blue Trains choir, participating in national and international festivals.
She also collaborates with various recording studios as a backing singer and vocalist in Italian productions, working with artists such as Ultimo, Sergio Sylvestre, Patty Pravo, Shapiro & Vandelli and Mace.
In her teaching, she focuses on the passion for singing and the complete training of the artist, with particular attention to performance aspects.
OUR COLLABORATORS
RICCARDO ONORI
Guitar and songwriting instructor, he is an Italian guitarist, composer, and record producer.
Long-time guitarist for Jovanotti, he has been considered one of the cornerstones of his group for years.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with numerous Italian and international artists, including Stefano Bollani, Max Gazzè, Alex Britti, Syria, Enrico Rava, Gianni Maroccolo, Ernestico Rodriguez, Marco Tamburini, Jarabe de Palo, Horacio Hernández, Michael Franti, Cesare Cremonini, Giuliano Sangiorgi, Luca Carboni, Planet Funk, Karima, and Paolo Buonvino.
His experience combines live performance, songwriting, production, and musical research, with a broad and contemporary vision of artistic work.
ALCESTE AYROLDI
Senior lecturer, music critic, essayist, and veejay, professionally active in the music sector since 1982 as a guitarist, singer, and drummer.
He teaches Entertainment Legislation and Author-Publisher Relations at the Saint Louis College of Music in Rome, as well as Music Research Practice, Music Industries, and Academic Writing at the University of the West of Scotland.
He has been a regular contributor to Musica Jazz magazine since 2010 and has been the editor manager of the Jazzitalia webzine since 2000. He has directed numerous Italian festivals and collaborates with the The Brass Group Foundation in Palermo, of which he is the biographer.
Author of essays and volumes dedicated to entertainment legislation and the Italian music industry, he has interviewed over a thousand artists, including major international figures.
