Ryan Zerites

Email: Ryan@elitebartendingschool.com

Ryan Zerites grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. During high school, Ryan worked at a local restaurant as a server for 2 years enjoying the opportunity to engage and network with the public. As a result, he landed a job at a local credit union as a customer service representative for 2 years. Ryan decided to serve his country and joined the Marine Corps in the spring of 2014 graduating boot camp with the highest honors. During his time in the Marine Corps, he deployed to multiple countries including Spain, Italy and Lybia. Following the completion of his 4 year contract, Ryan was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. After leaving the Marine Corps, he decided to start his new life in the beautiful state of Florida. Living on his own and not knowing anyone in Fort Myers, Ryan decided it was time for a change. He enrolled in Elite Bartending School and quickly learned the art of high-volume bartending and mixology. After graduating, he began his bartending career at The Indigo Room. During his time at the Indigo Room he worked shifts at The Dash Nightclub, Edge Nightclub and the 86 Room speakeasy making craft cocktails. In addition to these establishments, he also worked multiple events with Elite Event Staffing, including the South Beach Seafood Festival, St Patrick’s Day Block Party, Ring in the New Year event, as well as, private parties, corporate events and weddings in Miami and Fort Myers. Ryan learned his love for bartending and the service industry and decided it was time to take his career a step further. He contacted Elite Bartending School and went through Instructor Training with Austin Gagnon. After a few months, he started teaching full time at the Southwest Florida and Naples Locations. Ryan takes pride in providing his students with an exceptional education and learning experience to help them in their pursuit to become the most elite and successful bartenders in the service industry.

Austin Gagnon

Email: Austin@elitebartendingschool.com

zQRGUXG1wSvVlfcEzLh-vDi66Ym1oKbd_F_IF3D7_LIAustin Gagnon started his bartending venture in Upstate New York in the spring of 2001. He was trained by a well-known bar owner in a local fast bar in Troy, New York. After completing two years of college and receiving an Associate Degree in Physical Education from HVCC, Austin decided to transfer and finish out his remaining years of college in beautiful Miami, Florida. While attending Barry University in Miami Shores, Austin put himself through college working in some of the most popular bars in South Florida including Bed, Club Deep, The Fifth, Revolution Live, The Social Lubricant in the Wynwood District in Miami, and the world famous Clevelander Hotel on Ocean Drive where he worked as a bartender for 7 years. Austin has also worked and is currently responsible for staffing many sporting events, concerts, and Venues such as bartender staffing for both the University of Miami and Miami Dolphins football teams, the Miami Marlins, the Miami Heat (2011, 2012,2013, 2014,2015) the world renowned Ultra Music Festival (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,2015), South Beach Seafood Festival (2013,2014,2015) Miami Fine Chocolate and Food Show (2013,2014. 2015) Calle Ocho (2010,2011,2012), and NFL Tailgate parties for the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl. Austin graduated from Barry University in 2006, receiving a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. It was at this time that the idea of establishing an Elite Bartending School in a league of it’s own started to take shape. Austin wanted to share the knowledge, experiences, and skills that he learned in the bar business over the years with others. In 2009 Elite Bartending School’s first location opened in Miami Beach and fast became the #1 Bartending School in South Florida. Austin takes pride in providing his students with an exceptional education and learning experience to help them in their pursuit to become a successful bartender and excel in mixology and customer satisfaction.

Miranda Schmidt

Email: Miranda@elitebartendingschool.com

RDZ_0007Miranda Schmidt grew up in Niagara Falls, New York. After High School Miranda attended College and in 2011 received her Degree in Health and Wellness from Niagara Community College. Miranda quickly landed a job after college helping others in a nursing home as a Kitchen Supervisor. During this time Miranda also pursued her other lifelong passion of cheerleading and coaching, making the professional roster for the 2011-2012 Buffalo Jills Cheerleading Squad. After cheering for the Buffalo Bills for one season, Miranda decided to hang up her pom poms and head South to beautiful Miami Beach, Florida. Miranda’s love of health and wellness, cooking, and being around people quickly led her down the path to Hospitality. In late 2012 within days of moving to Miami Beach she attended Elite Bartending School, where she exceled in her new craft. Miranda thrived in the program, graduating top of her class, and as one of Elite Bartending Schools best students ever. Miranda quickly landing a high volume bartending job within days of graduating at the famous Automatic Slims. Miranda worked there for over a year, building up her skills and speed behind the bar. After mastering high volume, Miranda was curious to expand her knowledge on Mixology and customer service. Venturing out into the hospitality Mecca that is Miami Beach she fulfilled her next goal by getting hired at the Prestigious Living Room Lounge inside the W Hotel South Beach, serving craft cocktails to Miami’s Elite and Rich and Famous. During this time Miranda also picked up many events for Elite Bartending School, quickly becoming their head bartender for all major events in South Florida. Miranda continues to work many events all over South Florida staffed exclusively by Elite Bartending School, such as the world famous Ultra Music Festival (2014,2015) Fantasy Fest Key West (2014,2015) South Beach Seafood Festival (2014,2015) Cadillac Golf Championship at Triumph National Miami (2014,2015) to name a few. In 2014 Miranda joined the Elite Bartending School’s team of educators, and has since taught and prepared hundreds of todays students for the world of bartending. Miranda’s passion for education, teaching and her continued love of bartending stays with her students long after they come through the course.

Kevin Gibbons

Email: Kevin@elitebartendingschool.com

kevin-gibbonsKevin Gibbons was born in Bristol, England. In 2002, at the age of 18 Kevin started his bartending career in a local cocktail bar. For years Kevin worked in pubs and bars around England earning money to support his education in performing arts. After graduating from college Kevin wanted to take his stage career to the bar scene. In 2005, Kevin moved to Spain where he expanded his knowledge on the bar, learned advanced methods and techniques in Mixology and Flair, and mastered the psychology of the industry. In 2009, Kevin moved to Miami Beach and immediately began working in world Famous bars such as Off the Hookah, Mangos, Room Service Lounge, and Adore Nightclub. Now years later, and well known for his Flair Bartending Kevin wows his guests with great bottle tricks and fantastic customer service. With over ten years working in the industry, and 5 years as one of Elite Bartending Schools head instructors Kevin brings his education and global knowledge to Southwest Florida which he offers his talents exclusively to the students of Elite Bartending School.