18 independent music instructors currently teach at MockingBird Music - more bios will be added soon!
Jeff Brooker, Bass and Guitar Instructor • Graduate of the University of Massachusetts Lowell • Playing bass for 20 years, guitar for 5 years • Teaching bass since 1997. • Has played in venues up and down the east coast from New Hampshire to Florida • Playing styles include funk, jazz, rock and classical Jaco Pastorious is Jeff’s idea of the ultimate bass player and musician. He shares with Jaco a love of melody that takes the bass out of a strict sideman role and into the spotlight as an expressive lead instrument. Comfortable on fretless as well as fretted electric bass and six string guitar, Jeff emphasizes that students should strive to be versatile but disciplined. While having a broad background in performance, these days Jeff’s musical goal is to “pass on years of knowledge through teaching”. His greatest satisfaction comes from watching kids become stronger players. His formula for getting there is simple: “practice, practice, practice”. Jeff also applies this method in his pursuit of physical fitness. Jeff is available at MockingBird T & TH 2-8, F 2-7 and Sat 10-3. His rates are currently $25/half hour. Jeff allows students to reschedule 4 lessons provided they notify him in advance of their absence. Jeff will provide a qualified substitute when he is out or will make up your lesson when he is out
Ben Case, Guitar and Bass Instructor • Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from Berklee College of Music • Has been playing guitar since 1996 • Teaching students of all ages and styles • Plays throughout the Boston area Guitarist/Composer Ben Case graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2006, majoring in Guitar Performance. While at Berklee, Ben studied many different styles of music, including blues, rock, pop, funk, and jazz. He has taught private guitar and theory lessons in both Connecticut and Massachusetts, working with people of all ages. In 2004, Ben was a contest judge for the WBCN/BCM High School Battle of the Bands, which involves dozens of high school bands in the Greater Boston area. He was asked to fill this role again in ’05 and ’06. He currently writes and plays guitar for an alternative rock band, playing gigs throughout the New England area and New York and has toured the east coast. “I love to teach,” Ben says with enthusiasm. “Seeing a person grow and connect with music is a very rewarding experience, whether it be an 8 year old playing Happy Birthday or an adult playing the blues. It is the connection that matters. I am happy to help people establish their own individual relationship with this wonderful experience we call music.” Ben quotes the great American composer Frank Zappa to sum up his belief in music: “Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is THE BEST.” Ben is available at MockingBird Music on Mondays from 2-8. His rates are currently $27/half hour. Ben will reschedule lessons all missed lessons provided you cancel in advance of the lesson.
Chip Crump, Guitar and Bass Instructor • Self taught musician. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee where he started playing music professionally at age 17. • Playing guitar for 35 years. Also plays and teaches bass and plays mandolin. • Has been teaching guitar and bass since 2005. • Holds the MockingBird record as the teacher that has performed in the most states: Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. • Musical specialty: blues, hard rock and southern rock delivered on guitar or bass. After years on the road, Chip’'s current musical goal is to share the knowledge he’s gained with as many aspiring musicians as he can. Steeped in the traditions of American roots music, Chip’s favorites include the Allman Brothers Band, Govt. Mule, Derek Trucks and Dr. John. It was the Beatles on Sullivan, however, that awakened his desire to pursue music as his life’s calling. “Music has been a wonderful part of life for me”, states Chip. “It’s opened many doors and has allowed me to enjoy a dedication to an art that has made me a much better player.” Chip’s advice for aspiring musicians? “Practice hard and listen to your teacher!” Chip is available at MockingBird T-TH 2-8 and Sat 10-3. His rates are currently $27/half hour. Chip allows students to reschedule 4 lessons provided they notify him in advance of their absence. Chip will provide a qualified substitute when he is out or will make up your lesson when he is out
Ken Freeman, Clarinet, Sax, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium and Guitar Instructor • Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Berklee College of Music • Playing saxophone for 15 years • Also plays guitar, bass, trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet and various percussion instruments. • Formerly the Co-Director of the Milton High School Jazz Band. Currently the Director of the Fine Arts Department at Foxborough Regional Charter School. Ken Freeman would rather be in Ireland. County Clare to be exact. But right now can’t afford it. Lucky for us. We put his talent to work right here in Mansfield. You can hear it all come through on his saxophone. And trumpet. And guitar. And all of the other instruments he plays. It comes through his songwriting and instrumental compositions which have been played in New York City at the Village Vanguard and Kenny’s Castaways; Boston’s Berklee Performance Center and Providence’s Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, Strand Theater and AS 220. As a result of all of his musical experiences Ken has found an outlet for his drive, ambition, and self-confidence. Music, he says, has also provided him with a keen sense of independence and freedom. “What I’d really like to do is become rich and famous by spreading the gift of music education throughout the world,” says Ken. “But for now, I get great satisfaction from watching my students grow and change based on what I’ve taught them.” Ken advocates to his students to “…practice a lot, never give up and always be yourself.” Ken’s favorite artists are among the legends of music history: Miles Davis, Stan Getz, and Pink Floyd among others. More contemporary bands are also a great influence: Phish, Counting Crows, Ryan Adams, David Grey and Neil McCarthy (a local singer/songwriter from the Cape). Additionally, Ken believes we are on the verge of a new music revolution. When asked for details he only says, “…it’s coming soon.” Ken is available at MockingBird M & W 2-8 and Fri 2-7. His rates are currently $25/half hour. Ken allows students to reschedule 4 lessons provided they notify him in advance of their absence. Ken will provide a qualified substitute when he is out or will make up your lesson when he is out
Joe McEchernGuitar/Bass Instructor o Playing guitar for 35 years and bass for 20. o Has been teaching since 1998. o Has performed all over New England in many venues including, Harpers Ferry, Johnny D's, The Middle East, Worcester Centrum and Foxboro Stadium. o Playing styles include Blues, Jazz, Funk, Country, Rock, and Reggae. Beginning at age 3 Joe has spent hundreds of hours listing to Beatles records. Eventually, that led to an interest in all kinds of music ranging from bluegrass to funk. Joe's other all-time favorites include the Meters, Django Reinhardt, The Slackers, Sly and the Family Stone, AC/DC, and Johnny Cash. Because of his wide ranging stylistic expertise he is in demand as a gigging musician regularly performing with numerous bands every week. Joe is available at MockingBird M & TH 2-8 and Sat 10-3. His rates are currently $25/half hour. Joe allows students to reschedule 4 lessons provided they notify him in advance of their absence. Joe will provide a qualified substitute when he is out or will make up your lesson when he is out
Mike McHugh, Guitar Instructor - Graduate of Bridgewater State College with a B.A. in Music - Playing guitar for 15 years - Teaching guitar for 4 years If Mike isn’t studiously learning a new classical guitar piece by Sor, you’ll find him working out some extra-funky chord changes that would make Jimmy Nolan proud. Mike has turned diversity into his specialty. “I love teaching guitar”, says Mike. “I don’t care if it’s rock, funk, soul, R&B, jazz or classical; my favorite moments are when things start clicking for my students”. Mike believes that a student’s exposure to a wide range of musical styles can help spark their own ideas to develop their own style. This is a teacher that practices what he preaches in his rockin’ 8 piece outfit called the Mike McHugh Band, which performs regularly along Boston’s South Shore. Mike is available at MockingBird T 2-8 and Sat 10-3. His rates are currently $25/half hour. Mike allows students to reschedule 4 lessons provided they notify him in advance of their absence. Mike will provide a qualified substitute when he is out or will make up your lesson when he is out
Mike Pacheco, Guitar Instructor • Undergraduate Degree, Boston College Masters in Education, University of Massachusetts Boston • Playing guitar for 30 years • Teaching guitar since 2002 • Self taught musician • Specializes in rock guitar Mike loves to share the excitement of students when they have “light bulb moments”. This shows in the enthusiasm he puts into every lesson he gives. Musically, Mike lives the simple concept he shares with students: “Ya gotta love it!” Being a self taught musician, Mike knows the value of persistence and hard work. He strongly encourages his students to invest in “T.O.I.”, Time on Instrument. To Mike, there is no substitute for practice between lessons. Mike has studied and absorbed the styles of the bedrock guitar heroes of our time: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. Other virtuosos he admires include jazz-rock pioneer Allen Holdsworth and metal shred-master Michael Schenker. Mike’s library includes many works on history, philosophy and theology. When he’s not reading or playing, you can find him counting the guitars in his massive collection. Mike is available at MockingBird W & TH 2-8. His rates are currently $25/half hour($110/month). Mike allows students to reschedule 3 lessons provided they notify him in advance of their absence. Mike will provide a qualified substitute when he is out or will make up your lesson when he is out
Mark DeLuzio Guitar Instructor • Owner of MockingBird Music • Has been playing guitar since 1982. • Has been teaching guitar since 1994. • Specializes in rock, and blues guitar Mark has been teaching kids, teens and adults for 15+ years. His specialties include working with beginners to develop proper technique while having fun, and for intermediate players - understanding Music Theory as it relates to the guitar.Mark incorporates traditional music theory, modern technique, and ear training while focusing on rhythm and "feel" as the foundations for his teaching method. "Listen to B.B. King or the Stones or U2," he says, "not complicated - it's all about the feel!" Mark enjoys when students explore their own creativity on the guitar and encourages singing, songwriting and improvisation. As well as the above mentioned artists, Mark is a huge Beatles, Led Zeppelin, CSNY, REM, and Green Day fan amongst many others. ” Mark is available at MockingBird T, TH 4:30-8 His rates are currently $25/half hour lesson ($110/month). Mark allows students to reschedule 3 lessons per year provided he is notified in advance of their absence + 3 additional for students who remain enrolled through the summer. Mark will make up lessons when he is out.