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

Mary Casale, Violin, Viola, Cello instructor • Undergraduate Degree in Music Education from Rhode Island College Masters in Music Education from Rhode Island College • Started playing violin at age 11 • 31 years teaching experience with all ages K-12 in public and private schools in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She has also taught at the college level for Rhode Island College and UMassDartmouth. Professionally, Mary composes and writes music for live theatre and dance. Mary currently teaches at Qualters Middle School in Mansfield and is the Director of the Qualters Middle School Orchestra. “For as long as I’ve been studying music, I never stop growing”, states Mary Cassale, one of MockingBird’s most experienced instructors. “Music has profoundly shaped my world-view. It has the power to open minds to more expansive horizons.” Mary Casale is a violinist and music educator with over 30 years experience teaching music at all levels preK-12 and higher education in both public and private schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She has been active in the Massachusetts area since 1991 working collaboratively at Bridgewater State College, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, and the SMARTS Summer Institute. Ms. Casale holds the degrees of Bachelor of Music Education and Master in Music Education with advanced graduate studies in music composition. She has also been a manager, frequent adjudicator, and guest conductor for area district music festivals including the Southeastern Massachusetts Music Educator’s Association (SEMMEA), the Southeastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association (SEMSBA), and MMEA’s All-State Festival Orchestra. She is currently enrolled at the University of New England pursuing advanced graduate studies in educational leadership and is currently director of orchestras at the middle school and high school in Mansfield, MA. Her favorite part of teaching is sharing that experience with kids, which she has been doing since 1974. Mary loves the music of Rossini and Boulez as well as Simon and Garfunkle and Buck Evans (who, if you didn’t know, cut his teeth playing piano in Alaskan saloons.) She is also fascinated by music that features an eclectic mix of instruments, particularly that which combines live performance with computer generated tones and patterns. While Mary focuses her teaching on traditional violin technique, she does own and occasionally performs with an electric violin that she enhances with looping and delay devices as well as other digital effects. She cites John Cage, George Crumb and Karlheinz Stockhausen as vital influences in this more avant-garde realm. Mary is committed to continuous refinement of her teaching methods and also hopes to compose more music. She urges her students to never get discouraged. “Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t or shouldn’t do it. There can’t ever be enough musicians in the world.” Mary is available at MockingBird T 3-7, W 3-7. Her rates are currently $30/half hour lesson. She alows students to reschedule two lessons per year provided students notify her of their absence in advance.

Kathy Hrach - Violin & Viola Instructor *Katherine Hrach is a high school violinist who aspires to major in music throughout college. She currently studies with Peter Zazofsky of the Boston University. Katherine is involved with the New England Conservatory Preparatory School where she has participated in chamber music under the tutelage of Gillian Rogell and Elisabeth Christensen. As a member of the New England Conservatory Youth Symphony, Katherine is currently assistant principle second violin. Last year Katherine was an honorable mention in the Young Promise International Competition and hopes to be successful in more competitions in the upcoming year. For the last two summers Katherine has attended the Killington Music Festival in Killington, VT where she has studied with Lynn Chang, Irina Muresanu, and Julia Bushkova. Last summer, Katherine also attended Aria Music Festival where she gained valued lessons and insight from James Buswell and Anton Miller. Katherine intends to return to KMF and Aria this summer. As an aspiring teacher, Katherine currently teaches at Mockingbird in Mansfield and Music Machine in Easton. In addition, Katherine volunteers at the orchestra program at Qualters Middle School. Academically, Katherine is still a very focused student. This year she has been home schooled through Keystone Online High School in order to focus more on her musical goals. * Kathy is avilable at MockingBird on Thursdays from 2:30-8:00. Her rates are currently $120/month.. Kathy permits students to make up three missed lessons per school year and three in the summer. She will reschedule any lessons when she is out.