Faculty

 

Peter Wiernik, Director- Guitar, Bass, Piano, Ensembles, Theory

 

Peter Wiernik is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music (1994), With a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance (guitar) and a graduate of Boston University with a Master of Music degree in Music Education. Additionally, Peter has completed five years of advanced improvisation studies with the legendary Charlie Banacos. He has performed both as a leader and as a sideman throughout the United States. Peter has been teaching guitar lessons in the Boston and Metro-West area since 1991.

 

Over the years, Peter has developed his own teaching materials to help each student develop skills in reading music, improvisation, composition, playing by ear, and overall guitar technique. These lessons are individually tailored to each student, so that real learning and development occur. Most students experience rapid improvement followed by sustained musical growth. Peter is a state certified music educator licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

 

 

Alison Keslow - Electric Bass, Piano

 

Alison Keslow (Nominated For a 2015 BOSTON MUSIC AWARD)  is an electric bassist and composer with a B.M. in Music Education from Berklee College of Music. She also continued her bass studies with the great jazz bassist Bruce Gertz and studied advanced improvisation techniques with the amazing jazz master Charlie Banacos. Alison was also an instrumental and general music teacher in the Brookline, MA public schools for 8 years. She has also taught private bass lessons for many years in the MA area. Since the summer of 2010 she has taught at the Berklee guitar sessions assisting faculty members Scott Tarulli and Don Lappin.  In 2015 Alison joined the Berklee Five Week summer program faculty.

 

Alison’s number one priority is to make the lessons fun and interesting for the student while making sure to include some solid musical theory.

 

Alison has shared the stage or supported such great artists such as Joan Armatrading, Jerry Marotta (long time drummer for Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oats), John Sebastian (of Loving Spoonful) and more. She shares album credits with Jerry Marotta, Tony Levin and saxophonist Mindi Abair. Alison regularly performs in the Boston and New England area with her own project, The Alison Keslow Group. She also plays bass for many local singer songwriters and instrumental groups. Alison Keslow endorses Sadowsky basses and strings as well as EBS Professional Bass Equipment. Find out more about Alison at alisonkeslow.com. Check out a video of Alison's music here https://youtu.be/AJW1L9Wm4fQ

 

Dave Fox - Drums

 

Boston’s Dave Fox is a drum set artist and educator whose strong work ethic, professionalism, and passion for a wide variety of styles has led him to become a staple on the local music scene and a first call sideman to many of Boston’s top Jazz, Funk, Rock and Blues musicians. He also has worked with national artists such as Grammy Award winner Charles Neville (of the Neville Brothers) and Grammy Award winning songwriter, producer and musician Tom “T.H.” Hambridge. With Tom Hambridge and his Band “The Rattlesnakes”, Dave performed and toured on a national level in 2010/11 supporting such acts as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Doobie Brothers and George Thorogood and The Destroyers. Regular venues Dave has performed with Tom Hambridge and The Rattlesnakes include: The House Of Blues (Boston), B.B. King’s Blues Club (New York City), Artpark (Lewiston, NY), Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom (New Hampshire) and XM/Sirius Radio (Washington, D.C.)

 

When not performing as a sideman, Dave is also the creator and leader of the experimental, free group “Adventures In Sound” featuring world class improvisers David Tronzo, Phil Grenadier, Josh Rosen and Bruno Raberg. He has had the privilege to study with master percussionists such as Walter Tokarczyk, Thom Hannum, and Billy Ward and has been a long time student of his mentor, world-renowned drummer, Bob Gullotti. He is an endorser of Pearl Drums and Vic Firth Drumsticks exclusively.

 

Thomas Grandprey - Bass/ Trombone/ Tuba

 

Thomas Grandprey has taught instrumental music at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School since 2004. Previous teaching positions include David Prouty H.S. in Spencer, MA where he was awarded the iParenting teacher of the month, and at Mayo H.S. in Rochester, MN where he was an active clinician and judge for music festivals.

 

Mr. Grandprey holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Minnesota where he studied tuba with Ross Tolbert of the Minnesota Orchestra and a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies with and Emphasis in Pedagogy from the Boston Conservatory/Berklee College of Music Collaborative Jazz Masters Program where he studied with bassist Bruce Gertz.

 

As a performer on trombone, tuba, and bass Mr. Grandprey has been involved in a wide variety of musical groups that stretch from classical to contemporary styles. He is an alumnus of the international educational cultural exchange program Up With People where he toured and performed in a professional quality show with an international cast, as well as performing community service in 93 communities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. He has released three independent label jazz CD's and is currently the bassist with the Worcester Jazz Orchestra, an 18 piece big band. Thomas is a state certified music educator licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

 

 

Brooke Sofferman - Drums, Piano, Bass, Guitar, Theory, Ensembles

 

Brooke has been on the Prep faculty of NEC for 15 years, where he teaches ensembles and private lessons. He also teaches private lessons at UMass Boston, as well as Ear Training and Theory at the Berklee College of Music 5 Week Program.

 

Brooke has release 5 CD's as a leader, and has been on over 40 sideman releases. His 5 CD's on Summit Records have received 4 star Downbeat reviews, along with other critical acclaim and rave reviews in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Village Voice, Wall Street Journal, Jazz Times, Jazziz, Downbeat.

 

"Here is a promise: You will not hear a jazz group play with more talent, more focus, more intensity than the quintet led by drummer Brooke Sofferman."

- Steve Greenlee live Scullers concert review, Boston Globe

 

Brooke also performs with jazz legend Jerry Bergonzi, and with Phil Grenadier in his own quintet, the Sofferman Perspective, and has been featured on over a dozen recordings in the past year.

 

Along with his performing and recording credits, he is also endorsed by Sonor drums,Istanbul Agop Cymbals and Pro-Mark drumsticks and brushes.

 

Brooke uses his unique experience and impressive skills as a drummer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist to create an individual musical path for each student, building on the student’s strengths to move them forward toward their musical goals.

 

 

Jeremy Murray - Drums

 

Jeremy received his Bachelor of Music Studies (Music Education) from UMass Lowell, primarily studying Drum Set and Percussion. While at Umass Lowell, Jeremy studied with legendary drum teacher Fred Buda and taught a 3rd Grade General Music class with a group of other UML students for the 2009-2010 school year. He has been teaching private drum lessons both self employed and through music stores since he was 17 years old, also hosting percussion workshops along the way. Jeremy was a student in the Sudbury Public School Music Program from 1997-2006, studying with Bob Mealey and Tom Grandprey. Upon L-S graduation, Jeremy was presented with the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for his commitment and performance. Jeremy has performed and recorded with rock, jazz, and classical groups over the past decade.

“Nothing makes me happy like a curious student.” – Jeremy Murray

To see Jeremy play, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0-MZ4cD0GE

 

 

 

Kristine Kirby - Flute

 

Kristine’s classical training began in Rochester, New York; where she pursued musical studies with Eastman School of Music faculty and members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. In Boston, she expanded into jazz and improvisational music, studying with Matt Derriau, Charlie Banacos & John Payne. More recently, she has studied both classical and jazz styles at New England Conservatory.

 

From 1999- 2004 she played flute and piccolo with the Thayer Symphony Orchestra in central Massachusetts. During that period she was also member of the Tufts University Flute Ensemble. An active freelance musician, she is one half of the “Alla Breve Guitar and Flute Duo”, performing regularly with her husband, guitarist & Berklee college professor, Steven Kirby.

 

Kristine has taught flute to all levels of students since 1995, and has participated in instrumental music programs at schools in Watertown, Boxboro, Brookline and Hudson. She is thrilled to be joining the faculty at Sudbury School of Music.

 

 

Jim Hobbs - Saxophone

 

Jim has been teaching music to all ages for over 20 years. With a focus on finding the beauty in music, he creates an environment of experimentation, appreciation, encouragement, confidence and fun.

 

Here’s what the press has to say about Jim:

 

Jim Hobbs is a "veteran of the free-jazz scene" (Phillip Lutz, New York Times) and an "untouchably gifted master of the alto saxophone," (Steven Joerg, AUM Fidelity) Critics call him "one of his generation’s most gifted altoists; his ability to effortlessly glide between pitches and microtones enables a boundless capacity for tonal expression." (Troy Collins AllAboutJazz) and describe his writing as "superb…mixing tempos, time signatures, harmonies, and timbre." (Steve Loewy, Cadence Magazine). Hobbs’ sound "is nothing short of astounding in its abstract lyricism, replete with throaty vocalizations, dramatic use of negative space and a gradually expanding phrase structure."(Wilbur MacKenzie, AllAboutJazz). Guitarist Joe Morris said in a radio interview on WMBR "he's as good as anyone who's ever played that instrument."

 

 

Michelle Drapeau - Clarinet

 

Clarinetist Michelle Drapeau has a B.M. in Music Ed from the University of Rhode Island and a M.M. in Education from Boston University. She has performed with the River's Edge Community Band of Hudson, MA ('06, '08-'12), The American Band of Providence, RI ('07), and is a call player for the Metropolitan Wind Symphony of Lexington, MA ('11-current). Since 2006, she has worked as the middle school band director for the Hudson Public Schools, as well as co-coordinating the Hudson Public Schools/Arts Alliance after school band lesson program.

 

 

Mikhail Veselov - Cellist

 

Mikhail Veselov, cellist, has earned recognition as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher. Veselov hails from St. Petersburg, Russia and in 2007 won first prize at the Citta di Barletta International competition in Bari, Italy. Subsequently, he has performed as a soloist with the Vasilievsky Ostrov and Cantus Firmus chamber orchestras of St. Petersburg and Moscow.

As a member of the Neave Trio, Mikhail’s ensemble was named ensemble in residence at Providence College in Rhode Island from 2009-2010.Mischa has performed as a duo partner of cello soloist, Sergey Antonov, Tchaikovsky Competition’s 2007 Gold Medalist and can be heard regularly as a guest artist on the New England Chamber Music Foundation and Lyrica chamber music series. Other festival appearances include Music in Sorbonne, (Paris), Rachmaninov and Chopin International, (Moscow) and LyricaFest

Veselov’s mentor and teacher is the renowned pedagogue, Terry King. Mikhail holds a Graduate Performance Degree from the Longy School of Music and is currently pursuing at Master’s of Music degree with the distinction of a Presidential Ambassador scholarship. In Russia, he received his Bachelor’s of Music diploma under the tutelage of Maria Zhuravleva at the Moscow Chopin Academy.

 

 

Anna Williams - Violin

 

Anna Williams holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music (BM) and the Longy School of Music of Bard College (MM, GPD) where she served as Chamber Music Ambassador. Ms Williams is also a graduate of the Walnut Hill School/New England Conservatory joint program. Ms Williams’ principal teachers have included Patinka Kopec, Laura Bossert, Terry King, Mela Tenenbaum, Irina Muresanu and Magdelina Richter.

 

A first prize winner of the Lillian Fuchs Chamber Music Competition in 2007 and previously of the New England String Ensemble Competition, Ms. Williams’ devotion to chamber music was the inspiration for the formation of Neave Music, a chamber music ensemble recognized as an “up-and-coming” ensemble by WQXR Radio (New York City.) Neave has been nominated by the Boston Phoenix as the “Best of Boston” for its cross-over projects as well as having been recognized for its “heart –on-sleeve” performances by Classical New Jersey. From 2009-2010, Neave served as ensemble in residence at Providence College and for the past three summers at the St. Marks International Chamber Music Institute and Festival. Currently, the Neave Trio is in residence at the LyricaFest and ArtsAhimsa music festivals, and has performed extensively as Young Artist Members of Lyrica Chamber Music, (an award winning series in the New York Metropolitan area.) The Neave Trio’s concert engagements for the 2011-2012 season include performances at the 92nd street Y, as well as a debut recital at the American Dvorak Society, both in New York City. The Trio’s debut recording is expected to be released in 2012, including a world premiere composition by J.J. Adams.

 

To learn more about Ms Williams, please visit www.annamariewilliams.com

 

Cheryl Bentyne - Voice

 

Jazz vocalist for 37 years with the legendary, ten time Grammy award winning vocal group “The Manhattan Transfer” and solo recording and touring artist.

 

In between tours, Cheryl draws on her years of experience and vast knowledge of vocal technique to coach singers both in groups and privately one on one.

 

Cheryl’s success and longevity as a professional singer has made her an extremely sought-after vocal coach both in the U.S. and in Japan. Her vocal coaching includes everything from proper breath control and breathing specific vocal exercises created for the individual singer. She coaches all ages and will bring the student to a new level of understanding of their individual voice. Cheryl loves to coach but insists on having fun as well. “It’s work, but it’s got to be a joyous experience.

 

Jen Kearney - Piano/Voice

 

Jen Kearney is a singer/songwriter/bandleader who performs her original music regularly in Boston and beyond. She has been writing, arranging, recording and performing for over 20 years and teaching private voice, piano and beginner guitar lessons since 2004.

 

Jen was an Artist in Residence at Bentley College teaching private lessons as well as vocal and songwriting workshops. She has released 5 full-length albums and done session work for many Boston area bands. Jen and her band have shared the stage with Los Lobos, Derek Trucks Band, Mavis Staples, Daryl Hall, John Mayall and the

Bluesbreakers.

 

Jen attended UMass Lowell for music performance and has studied additionally with Steve Hunt and Mark Baxter. From a teaching standpoint, Jen believes in developing reading skills and theory as well as the development of the musical ear to make the student musically and artistically balanced. She loves seeing students tap into the joy of

expressing themselves through music.

 

Find out more about Jen and hear her original music at www.jenkearney.com.

 

Camila Fonseca - Voice

 

Camila Fonseca Alves is an emerging artist and singer-songwriter born in Brazil. She is a graduate of Massbay and continued her studies at Berklee College of Music.  Pursuing her singing career, Camila has developed her own sound through genre's such as Contemporary R&B, Indie Rock, Neo Soul and Gospel music.  Camila has established herself as a staple in the Boston music scene, captivating audiences with her soulful voice.  You can find her performing across the region with critically acclaimed bands such as "Project DCQ.” Also look for her debut EP, scheduled for release in 2019.