MockingBird Music employs 25 teachers - 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.
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!”
Jeff Debruyn, Group Guitar Instructor Jeff is a senior at Mansfield High School and has been teaching guitar for two years. He has taught group and private classes at the YMCA in Mansfield and at MockingBird Music in Mansfield where he currently teaches groups of children ages 8-11. Jeff has been trained by Mark DeLuzio, the owner of MockingBird and by BJ Knights who has been an employee and instructor at MockingBird for five years. Jeff is a talented dedicated musician and currently performs in his own band. He has studied rock and jazz guitar and music theory. He is planning to attend college next year and hopes to pursue a career in Music Business.
Chris Frasco, Guitar and Bass Instructor • Berklee College of Music – Class of 2008: Contemporary Writing and Production • Guitarist of 12 years • Has given private lessons professionally since 2000. • Also plays bass, piano, hand percussion, and 8-string guitar • Tours opening for artists like The Beach Boys, The Roots, and Erykah Badu. • Gigs locally in Faneuil Hall and around the Greater Boston area. Plays the occasional private gig for Boston city councilor Paul Scapicchio and Mayor Thomas Menino. • Musical Specialties: Jazz, Fusion, Rock, Blues, Jammin’, and Eccentric Acoustic. • Writer, Producer, and Host of “Frettin’ with Frasco” on Channel 9 Mansfield Cable Access. 2007 Telly Award Winner for Educational Programming. • His students have been accepted to study music at the University of New Hampshire, UMass Lowell, Rhode Island College, Keene State University, Northeastern University, and Berklee College of Music. When Chris thinks of his favorite music he conjures names like Phish, Jazz is Dead, John Scofield and Ben Folds. If he’s got his ear buds in, you can bet he’s listening to Dookie, OK Computer, Rockin’ in the Suburbs or Uberjam. If he’s playing a guitar, it’s probably a Heritage H555 semi-hollow body, a Godin Flat Five X, an Ovation Collector’s Series or the Fender Strat he’s been playing from day one. His short term musical goals are modest, “…to cut a hit record and take over the world”. When asked about the future of music he responds, “Me”. Chris doesn’t plan on taking any shortcuts though. “There aren’t any.” Instead he suggests to students to save the time and use it to practice. Why does he teach? “To help students progress, spread a love for the arts and open minds”.
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.”
David Hines, Piano,Bass, Guitar Instructor • Studied theory and composition at Berklee College of Music and Manhattan School of Music • Studied electric bass with Stanley Clarke • Recently released self produced CD featuring original music and guitarist Allan Holdsworth • Has been playing piano for 40 years, bass for 35 years and guitar for 14 years. Recently began playing upright acoustic bass. Dave Hines has lived his life in music. Born in New York City, both his mother and father were principal vocalists with the Metropolitan Opera. His first instrument was cello, then piano, but when he saw the Beatles on Sullivan he knew the electric guitar and bass were calling. Since then it’s been rock, jazz, fusion and even a little folk and country for this talented multi-instrumentalist. Playing in bands up and down the east coast, Dave has opened for Johnny Winter, Joan Jett, Savoy Brown and many others. On the bass Dave specializes in jazz, rock and fusion. On piano he focuses on classical, rock and blues. On the guitar, it’s rock, folk and country. His big influences include Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, Miles Davis, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Victor Wooten. Among his favorite albums you’ll find Weather Report “Live”, Jaco Pastorius first record, “Book of Flame” by Michael Manring and the Beatles “Abby Road”. With all of this diversity Dave tells us that one of the great benefits he has enjoyed as a result of studying and playing music is increased powers of concentration and patience. He is currently applying those qualities to the production of a new recording that will feature fretless bass over a string section. Dave plays Ken Smith and Roscoe basses through Gallian-Krueger amps.
B.J. Knights, Guitar and Bass Instructor • Playing guitar for 12 years. Also plays and teaches bass. • Has been teaching guitar since 2002. • Has performed all over New England. Opened for Rusted Root. Appeared at Boston’s Sky Bar and in Providence at the Living Room and the Call as well as the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts. • Musical goals include… “Continuing teaching, being a positive role model for students and to help them see the joy that comes from music.” “Music is a great way to relate to many different kinds of people,” states B.J. That positive attitude is one reason B.J. excels not only in giving private lessons, but as a leader of group classes, ensembles and music camps. His favorite aspect of teaching is seeing students get excited about music. “Do what you love to do. Play because it’s something you really want to do.” B.J. keeps his gear simple: a Fender American Strat through a Traynor 50 watt combo. The complexity comes in his playing. B.J. is not only an accomplished flat-picker, but he also employs a unique form of hybrid picking using both the pick and the fingers. Listening to him play you can hear the contemporary influences: Dream Theater, 311, Megadeath and Brett Garsed. Listen closely and you’ll hear American roots music, folk, blues and 50’s rock’n roll. This might have something to do with B.J.’s studies with guitar virtuoso Greg Howe, a master of stylistic diversity. B.J. believes the future is bright for motivated aspiring musicians. “Technology is leading to an increase in the “do-it-yourself” attitude among musicians. There will be more opportunities for independent music as the big record companies restructure their approach to young developing artists.”
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.
Sean Rohrer, Guitar, Bass and Drum Instructor • Current student at Berklee College of Music studying Contemporary Music Composition and Production. • Playing guitar and drums for 15 years. Also plays assorted hand percussion instruments. • Has been teaching guitar and drums since 2003. • Has performed in most of the New England states and New York at venues including the Palladium, the Middle East, the Marquee and the Bomb Shelter. • Favorite artists include Green Day, Boston, Queen, Ben Folds, Sublime, Dream Theater, Killswitch Engage and Spock’s Beard. Sean may be the first MockingBird teacher to be published. He is nearing the final draft of a book he is writing called “Guitar Method for Teens.” “Teenagers have a unique way of looking at the world and the guitar,” states the multi-instrumentalist. “Through the book and my teaching I’m trying to reach kids not only on a technical level, but to share with them the rewards that come through music such as a sense of personal achievement and the camaraderie that develops between musicians.” Sean also believes that young musicians need sources of inspiration in the form of role models or musical heroes. Interestingly, his earliest musical inspiration was John Phillip Souza, America’s foremost composer of brass band marching music. “When I heard that sound I knew music was calling me. I was 4 years old when my parents took me to get a baritone horn.” His studies at Berklee are getting him closer to his goal of becoming a fulltime music producer and performer. Sean will also tell you that if he weren’t so busy practicing, writing, studying and teaching, his ideal day would include tooling around in a custom car, fishing, playing a round of golf and ending up at Fenway for a night game.
Chad Stephen, Guitar Instructor • Undergraduate Degree in Music from Dean College • Has been playing guitar for 20 years. Studied guitar privately for 10 years. • Has been teaching guitar since 1994. • Specializes in rock guitar The Beatles strike again! Chad recalls his earliest musical recollection as a 5 year old listening to an 8-track tape of the Beatles “Live at the Hollywood Bowl”. Since then he’s taken up guitar, bass, drums, piano, saxophone and mandolin. At age 12 he started taking private instruction on guitar and continued to age 22. During that time Chad discovered his study of music also helped him build his math skills, a side benefit that has served him well. Chad has appeared at music venues in the Greater Boston/Providence area and has opened on the big stage for 10,000 Maniacs. You may also know him from George Murphy’s Horns in the House. Besides the Beatles, Chad’s faves include bands as diverse as Rush and Toad the Wet Sprocket. Chad offers interesting advice to his students: “If you want to get better, play some stuff you don’t like. This helps you to get out of your comfort zone and into a music that may be more challenging to you.” No matter what kind of music his students play, his favorite part of teaching remains the same. “I love to see the expression on a students face when the light bulb goes on.”