Guitar and Bass Faculty Classical • Folk • Jazz • Electric • Rock
Daniel Acsadi; Classical, Flamenco, Folk, Popular Guitar
He has over ten years of teaching experience with guitarists of all levels, ages, and interests. While developing technical abilities and enriching musical understanding, Dan always strives to make lessons fun and flexible. Topics and methods from the classical tradition are integrated with flamenco, folk, and popular influences.
Dan has performed extensively throughout the United States both as soloist and in chamber ensembles. He has appeared in Boston’s Jordan Hall, Trinity Church, King’s Chapel, Northeastern University, Boston University, Boston GuitarFest, South Station Concert Series, the Longy School of Music, Harvard University, the Western Front, Hingham Saturday Sounds, and Newton Library Series. He has also played at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY), and Detroit’s Holy Cross Church.
As a chamber musician, Dan frequently performs with his wife, violist, keyboardist, and music therapist Leticia Prieto Alvarez. He also collaborates with mezzo-soprano Thea Lobo and guitarist Adam Levin. Chamber ensemble programs often feature Dan’s original transcriptions ranging from the Renaissance to twentieth-century music. Current projects include a program of Portuguese music and the setting of Hungarian music to guitar.
Matthew Edwards; Upright & Electric Bass BM Berklee College of Music. Studies with Jim Stinnett, Dave Clark, Anthony Vitti, Dave Buda. Matthew has played in just about every type of band, from classical and jazz, to rock, funk and Latin. He has played in bands that have opened for such bands as Everclear and Pink. He has played in a string section that recorded with the Dropkick Murphys and can be heard on their latest album The Meanest of Times. Matthew has also played several shows with the Dropkick Murphys. He is an active member in the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra and the Quincy Symphony Orchestra. Matthew brings his versatility as a bass player to his teaching and is easily able to adapt to the students learning ability. No matter what style Matthew is teaching he always stresses playing with feeling and groove.
Chris Jenkins; Guitar Chris attended Berklee College of Music as a performance major, receiving the Berklee Achievement Scholarship. He studied with Kenny Werner, Jon Damien and Hal Crook., and had masterclasses with Pat Martino, Mike Stern, Joe Lovano, and Pat Metheny. Chris has performed with Phil Wilson's Rainbow Band, Jon Damien, Christopher Holliday, Billy Bowker, Rob Bargad, in many theater productions, and has had an annual gig at film star John Travolta's New Year's Eve party. With over 10 years of teaching experience Chris is a former faculty member at the GainesvilleGuitarAcademy and Academy of Music and Art in Gainesville, Florida, and current faculty at the Music & ArtsCenter in Peabody, Ma.
Chris brings a jazz background to his teaching style with emphasis on ear training, theory, improvisation and their application to all styles of music. He is equally comfortable with the beginner to advanced of all ages and styles, including jazz, rock and blues, on both acoustic and electric. Many of his students have won scholarships to the nation's top music programs.
Steve Mayone; Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin AA Berklee College of Music, Audio Arts Certificate. Center for Media Arts in NY Performs electric and acoustic rock. Blue grass, blues, Americana and pop. There solo albums and multiple European and U.S. tours with banda and as a solo artist. Extensive experience with school age and younger children. Steve has been writing songs and playing instruments since the age of 13. Music is an element of his being. He is both a respected sideman and a talented singer/songwriter in his own right.
Thomas Pendergast; Guitar: Folk - Rock - Flamenco - Classical - Jazz Graduate of Berklee College of Music in composition and arranging, jazz studies with Charlie Benarcus, Hal Crook, Jerry Bergonzi, Mick Goodrick, and Sal Salvador. Sings (tenor/baritone) in Opera Un-Met, performs flamenco and jazz guitar in Boston area.