NFS Ranch

09/05/2026

Check it out!

🎷 MEET OUR NEW FACULTY: MICA BETHEA

We’re excited to welcome Jacksonville-based composer, arranger, producer, educator and bandleader Mica Bethea to the UNF School of Music!

Mica is a proud UNF alumnus, earning his B.M. in Jazz Studies in 2012 and M.M. in Jazz Performance in 2016. In 2012, he was recognized by DownBeat Magazine with its Undergraduate Arranger Award, and his work was later featured in the magazine’s November 2017 issue.

As a composer and arranger, Mica’s work spans big band, jazz fusion, funk, swing and Latin styles. He has released three albums with the Mica Bethea Big Band, featuring some of the highest-level musicians in the North Florida region alongside special guests from the national jazz scene. His music has been performed by artists including Chris Potter, Rene Marie and Michael Dease, as well as UNF School of Music faculty members Dennis Marks and Todd DelGiudice.

Mica is also deeply involved in building Jacksonville’s music community. He previously owned Cue Note, a billiard room and jazz venue in Palm Coast, served on the board of the Jazz Discovery Series and now operates NFS Ranch, a 40-acre recording studio and creative space in Northeast Florida.

At NFS Ranch, Mica also co-hosts and executive produces Life’s Mixing Board, a podcast and music series exploring creativity, mental health, purpose and the realities of being an artist in North Florida.

From UNF student to accomplished composer, arranger, producer and bandleader, Mica brings both professional experience and a deep connection to the Jacksonville music community.

We’re excited to welcome Mica to the School of Music serving as one of our faculty members, and look forward to seeing what he brings to our students and the UNF music community.

Learn more about Mica and his work: micabethea.com

06/12/2026

Check out this video from December‘s recording of NightStick playing at the venue here at NFS Ranch. The group just finished a two day recording session this week, which will yield two more fun tracks. Stay tuned for all things NFS for when they are released.

Ryan LeRoy - Drums / Mixing / MasteringStan Piper - BassJames Hog...

04/06/2026

We’re proud to be recognized as the #1 Event Venue in St. Johns County for March 2026. Thank you to every client and guest who trusted us to be part of your event!

NFS Ranch is a high end recording studio based in Elkton, FL.

03/27/2026

What an amazing session this week with Keith Javors Music! Keep an eye out for the development of this album. You won't want to miss it.

The personnel from the “Dare You To Move” session, a project of recovery, rebirth, and reconciliation. Grateful for these amazing musicians, the outstanding crew at NFS, and the beautiful folks in North Florida. Have a great day, everyone.

03/06/2026