18 independent music instructors currently teach at MockingBird Music - more bios will be added soon!

John Barnett Piano Instructor • Teaching piano since 1998 • Specializes in rock, blues, jazz and pop. • Plays in rock, blues and jazz bands such as the Bone Shakers, Barnstormers, The Red Rum Jazz Trio John believes that piano lessons are a time to explore fresh ideas, confront new challenges, and have fun. Whether the student is an adult rediscovering their love of music, an adolescent learning about music for the first time, or anyone in between, he is excited to guide them on their musical paths. John continually strives to communicate with and assist students to improve themselves as musicians and people. He is a musician that genuinely enjoys teaching as much as playing live; he finds that it is incredibly rewarding to see a student achieve their goals and develop beyond what they thought was possible for themselves. John’s teaching background is diverse. He’s taught 5 year old students how to play piano, improvise, and write notes on a staff. He’s taught 50 year olds how to compose ballads and orchestrate solo piano arrangements. To John, age doesn’t matter but attitude is everything.

Jack Colombo - Piano Instructor Jack Colombo is an active, experienced, full time professional musician. In addition to his piano teaching duties at the Music Machine, Jack is the Musical Director for the legendary vocal group the Drifters. He tours, performs and records all over the world with the group performing their classic hits “Under the Boardwalk”, “Up on the Roof”, “There Goes My Baby”, and “Save the Last Dance for Me.” Jack recently coordinated a Drifters reunion segment for PBS Television that is currently being aired nationally. He composed their latest release “Take Me Back to the Boardwalk”. In addition to the Drifters, Jack’s performance credits include the Manhattan Transfer, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Al Jardin of the Beach Boys, and Michelle Phillips of the Mama’s and the Papa’s. Jack is also the Official Keyboardist for the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. He is the President of Coast to Coast Entertainment and Events which specializes in booking musical performers, and providing production assistance and planning for national, regional and local events. Jack enjoys and plays keyboards of all types including acoustic and electric piano, the Hammond B-3 Organ, and a variety of electronic synthesizers. Jack's Policies Jack is available to teach Wed 3:00-8:00 His rate is currently $25/half hour Each student is allowed to reschedule up to four lessons per year beginning each September provided they inform the store ahead of time of the cancellation . (Make-up lessons must be scheduled by Aug 31st). Refer to the website for availability of times for make-up lessons. Students who remain enrolled for July & August will receive two additional make-up lessons should they need them. If Jack is absent, he will attempt to reschedule your lesson or may instead provide a substitute instructor.

Jayne Critelli, Piano, Voice, Music Theory and Songwriting Instructor •MAT from Manhattanville College B.M. Music Composition, Berklee College of Music A.A.S. Piano, Onondaga Community College F.M. Alexander Voice Technique with Billie Frierson After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Jayne began a career composing music for advertising with one of the top New York jingle houses, Lucas/McFaul. Jayne has written and arranged music for campaigns such as Coca Cola, Cherry Coke, Kodak, Lysol, AT&T, and Maxwell House Coffee. Jayne has produced commercials with popular artists such as Dionne Warwick, Michael Bolton, David Sanborn, Paul Shaffer, Will Lee, Valerie Simpson, and John Waitt. Jayne has taught private piano and voice since 1995. It is her love of music and teaching methods that inspires her students and allows them to excel. Learning to become a musician is a step by step process that challenges and nurtures the student?s potential. Each student takes time to trust in their own learning abilities. When they find themselves achieving goals and getting results, the magic begins. Jayne creates the comfort zone. Being a composer, she is a creative example for students that are songwriters and encourages anyone to explore the craft. She teaches classical and all types of contemporary music, along with music theory and songwriting. Jayne teaches the Alexander Technique for voice as well as traditional vocal techniques. She encourages the voice student to sing any contemporary and theater music they enjoy. Jayne has sung professionally on national commercials and in public.

Julia Roche, Piano, Voice, Flute, Clarinet, & Sax, Instructor • Has been studying and playing flute since 1997, has been studying and singing formally since 1997, has been studying and playing piano since 1999. • Bachelor of Arts Candidate, Music Major, Rhode Island College • Favorite artists: Mozart, Kenney Chesney, Bach, Justin Timberlake and Rascal Flats To say that Julia has lived a life in music is an understatement. At age four she dreamed of playing the French Horn. Since then she has studied not only that instrument, but also the clarinet, oboe, trombone, bassoon and drums. Her area of expertise, however, lies in the flute, piano and voice! From elementary school through high school she has been a member of the band, orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz band, drum corps and chorus. By the time she graduated she had taught music as a substitute teacher and was Assistant Choir Director in the Bellingham elementary, middle and high schools. Now in her third year at Rhode Island College she is studying flute under Maryellen Guzzio-Kregler, piano under Lila Kane and Modern Voice under Eric Whittaker. She is a member of the Rhode Island College Women’s Choir. “Music is a never ending learning process”, states the multi-instrumentalist. “Everyday I gain a greater appreciation for it. My favorite part of teaching is passing on the knowledge I have gained and seeing students apply it and love it.”