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 22 years, guitar for 9 years • Teaching 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 $120/monthly for a 30min lesson once per week. He 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. He will make up lessons when he is out or will provide a qualified substitute instructor to teach your 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 36 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 $125/monthly for a 30min lesson once per week. He 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. He will make up lessons when he is out or will provide a qualified substitute instructor to teach your lesson.
Ken Freeman, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Clarinet, Sax, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba> • Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Berklee College of Music • • Previously the Co-Director of the Milton High School Jazz Band, and Director of the Fine Arts Department at Foxborough Regional Charter School. Ken Freeman graduated Berklee College of Music in 2005 with a degree in Music Education. He began his career teaching in public schools where he worked with students from the elementary to high school level teaching instrumental and choral education, successfully initiating the school's first elementary school band program. Since graduation, Ken has also spent his time teaching privately individual and group lessons with a focus on guitar, bass, brass, woodwind, voice, music theory, business and songwriting. Ken plays professionally in his own band "Wishful Thinking" and with other groups performing in the Boston and surrounding areas. He currently works with 2 of the top entertainment companies in the state performing at private and corporate events. Ken's performance work is not limited to a specific style as he works with bands ranging from classical to contemporary with many in between. Through these practices Ken is able to convey a wide range of experience and knowledge of music education and performance to his students. 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, TH 2-8 and Fri 2-7. His rates are currently $120/monthly for a 30min lesson once per week. He 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. He will make up lessons when he is out or will provide a qualified substitute instructor to teach your lesson.
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 $120/monthly for a 30min lesson once per week. He 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. He will make up lessons when he is out or will provide a qualified substitute instructor to teach your lesson.
Mike McHugh, Guitar Instructor - Graduate of Bridgewater State College with a B.A. in Music - Playing guitar for 16+ years - Teaching guitar for 6 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 $120/monthly for a 30min lesson once per week. He 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. He will make up lessons when he is out or will provide a qualified substitute instructor to teach your lesson.
Mike Pacheco, Guitar Instructor • Undergraduate Degree, Boston College Masters in Education, University of Massachusetts Boston • Playing guitar for 31 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, F 4-7. His rates are currently $120/monthly for a 30min lesson once per week. He 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. He will make up lessons when he is out or will provide a qualified substitute instructor to teach your lesson.
Mark DeLuzio Guitar Instructor • Owner of MockingBird Music • Has been playing guitar since 1982. • Has been teaching guitar since 1994. • Specializes in rock, acoustic 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 $120/monthly for a 30min lesson once per week. He 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. He will make up lessons when he is out or will provide a qualified substitute instructor to teach your lesson.