Welcome to steeple street music academy!
Building community through art
About Us
Demetrius Becrelis
Owner, CEO
Offers instruction in:
Mandolin, Ukulele, Singing-Songwriting, Artist Development
Demetrius Becrelis is a diverse musician in styles that range from pop and rock, to classical, jazz, celtic and bluegrass. He is also co-founder and co-owner of West Bend Music in Dennis Port, MA. In his tenure at West Bend Music, he launched several new teaching programs, including private ukulele lessons, songwriting groups, and student rock bands, to name a few. He also opened Cape Cod’s first of its kind, “Ukehead” ukulele shop.
Before moving back to Cape Cod, Demetrius was involved in the Nashville music scene as a singer songwriter, recording artist, producer, and session player. Demetrius has studied voice under the direction of Renee Grant Williams, who taught Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Keith Urban.
Demetrius co-founded a musical group by the name of Tripping Lily, an all original pop folk group. With Tripping Lily, he managed to make his way onto the big stage. He was chosen to score out an entire symphony where he, along with Tripping Lily, performed his original holiday composition with The Cape Cod Symphony. His music also hit the big screen when his original composition, “Alone,” appeared on the Showtime original series, “The Big C.”
Demetrius teaches mandolin, ukulele, guitar, voice, and songwriting – and feels it is never too late or early to pick up an instrument.
Katherine bECRELIS
owner, COO, ART CURATOR, preschool site coordinator
Offers instruction in:
Piano, Drawing, Poetry, Marketing, Website Development
Katherine Becrelis has been in the education field for 14 years and has taught various subjects at all grade levels in Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. She studied piano for 11 years under three different instructors, and went on to teach piano privately. She has accompanied choral groups as well as individual performers and provided the piano instrumentation for a variety of settings – including parties, museum events, and theater performances.
Before beginning a career in education, Katherine, or “Kate,” received her undergraduate degree as well as her master’s degree from the University of Maine in Orono. She was nominated and awarded a position in the honors society, All Maine Women, representing the top 1% of graduating women on campus. She served as a Resident Director while earning her Masters in Education, managing a staff of Resident Assistants and caring for the well-being of students living in a residence hall.
Kate teaches piano and is also available for tutoring in poetry, art, reading, writing, and history. She is additionally ready for hire as a website developer or as a consultant on marketing strategy. All inquiries are welcome!
Passionate about life-long learning and creative expression, she’s always ready to discover something new.
Why Steeple Street Music Academy?
Programs & Services
PROGRAMS
At SSMA, we are passionate about what we do! Whether you want to come in for a private one-on-one lesson or participate in a rock group, we want to provide those learning opportunities for you. Check out some of the ways you can get involved…
pRIVATE Lessons
Set up one-on-one, weekly 1/2 hour or hour-long music lessons with one of our instructors! This is our optimal learning format for significant learning and growth.
Semi-Private Lessons
Wish to take music or art lessons with a friend or family member? Inquire about our semi-private lessons – and the discounted rates associated with this format!
Classes
Want to learn more about vlogging? Dive into Berklee-style music theory? Enroll your older child or teen in an artist development course? Inquire about our class options currently available!
Preschool
Are you looking for a daycare service with a music and art theme? Is your child between the ages of 2.9 and 6 years old? Consider enrolling your child in our new childcare program, First Verse Preschool!
BANDS
Always wanted to be in a rock band? Experience playing with a worship team? See if you can join a band of interest!
summer camps
Need something musical or artistic to do this summer? Crave being around like-minded people? Check out our summer program schedule and inquire today!
FIRST VERSE PRESCHOOL
WE ARE HIRING!
Are you hungry to run a preschool program in a creative environment? Do you have a passion for designing a curriculum that incorporates art and music instruction in a meaningful way?
We are seeking a Director or Lead Teacher for our upcoming daycare/preschool program.
Experience in running a daycare/preschool service preferred. College degree and appropriate childcare license required, along with some knowledge and skill in the arts. Passion, dedication, and a genuine interest in early childhood development a must!
The program itself will include an AM and PM program, Monday through Friday. The mornings will run 8:30AM – Noon, and the afternoons will run 12:30-4PM. Our facility (after renovations!) should allow for up to 20-24 children in each 3.5 hour program, for a total of 48 children per day.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $25.00/hour
COVID-19 considerations: All appropriate COVID-19 safety protocols in place.
Please send your complete resume and cover letter to info@steeplestreetmusic.com for consideration!
ABOUT US
Steeple Street Music Academy, in partnership with Mashpee Commons, established a need for an exceptional daycare/preschool program in the Mashpee area. First Verse Preschool was created under the umbrella of Steeple Street Music Academy in order to serve ages 2.9 through 6 year old children. Music and art is a substantial piece of the ongoing curriculum at the preschool, with instructors from the academy occasionally offering enrichment opportunities to children in the program.
Demetrius and Katherine Becrelis are the Academy Owners, and Katherine Becrelis is the Site Coordinator for the First Verse Preschool program.
PURPOSE
The primary purpose of First Verse Preschool is to provide quality, safe, fun, and exceptional childcare for children ages 2.9 — 6 years old. Housed within Steeple Street Music Academy, this particular preschool program incorporates meaningful music and art instruction.
PHILOSOPHY
In the same way that the first verse in a song sets the tone for the rest of the tune, the first schooling experiences set the tone for the rest of a student’s education — and ultimately, their lives. Therefore, we believe that it’s critical for children to experience a positive, meaningful, and engaging learning environment right from the start.
Goals & objectives
The staff at First Verse Preschool will strive to meet your child’s social, intellectual, emotional, and physical needs on a daily basis in a variety of fun and safe ways.
Book Studio Time
For just $20 per hour, you can rent one of our studios!
We have a variety of acoustic pianos available for public use in spaces that have sinks to wash hands, cleaning products to wipe down surfaces, and plenty of space to social distance safely. What better environment is there for a musician to practice?
Pricing & Policies
Pay While You Play
Perfect for students just starting music lessons or families on a monthly budget.
$40/lesson
- Private 1/2-hour lessons
- Paid one month in advance
- 3-5 lessons
Pay by Semester
OUR BEST VALUE!
Perfect for students seeking to commit to musical growth or families interested in getting a discount on lessons.
$37.50/lesson
- Private 1/2-hour lessons
- Paid one semester in advance
- 20-22 lessons
Pay by Summer
Perfect for students interested in maintaining and building upon skills learned from a public school music class or families on cape for the summer months.
$38.75/lesson
- Private 1/2-hour lessons
- Paid one summer in advance
- 8-9 lessons (July-August)
POLICIES
Rates vary, depending on teaching format and instructor. See above for approximate rates and payment plans for private lessons.
There is a one-time fee upon registering for lessons or a class. In addition, for any materials bought through the school, payment is due at the time of purchase.
Withdrawals for the next month must be made via email by the 15th of the current month to info@steeplestreetmusic.com. If you withdraw after the 15th of the month, you will be responsible for the next month’s fees in full. Any financial obligations still outstanding will be made with auto-pay. (See registration paperwork for details.)
Attendance to all lessons on time is crucial for success. Students who are late for a lesson cannot be guaranteed their full lesson time. Our instructors are not obligated to provide make-up lessons or classes, unless an instructor is unable to attend the assigned time. If an instructor is unable to schedule a make-up lesson, a credit will be issued by the school to the student’s account.
Tuition does not cover the cost of instrument, music, or materials. For students beginning mid-month, the tuition will be pro-rated, and the monthly tuition will start on the 1st of the following month; for students beginning mid-semester, the tuition will also be pro-rated and discounted accordingly. Late payments will result in a $30 late fee. SSMA reserves the right to suspend lessons/classes for non-payment of tuition.
The Crew
Matt Scinto
Instructor
Classical Piano, Viola, Violin
Dr. Matthew Scinto is an emerging conductor based in Cape Cod, where he currently serves as Founder and Conductor of the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra and the Music Director for the Civic Orchestra of New Haven (CT). He has twice studied conducting at the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center, and was recently finalist for the Assistant Conductor of the San Antonio Symphony. He received his Doctor of Musical Art’s degree from Boston University, where he was a student of Stefan Asbury and David Hoose and twice received the Conducting Department Award for Excellence in Conducting. He also holds degrees in Viola (BM) and Conducting (MM) from Syracuse University.
Dr. Scinto has worked with such orchestras as the San Antonio Symphony, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Symphoria, the New Haven Civic Orchestra, the Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra, the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, the Miami Music Festival Orchestra, the Syracuse University Symphony, and the Boston University Symphony, Chamber, and Opera Orchestras. He also serves as an active cover conductor for the Portland (ME) Symphony.
Matthew currently resides in West Yarmouth with his wife Cara and two kitties and baby Sophia. He’s happy to be on the Steeple Street team!
Maddy Ames
Instructor
Voice, Songwriting, Guitar, Ukulele, Beginner Piano
Maddy has been involved in the music world since she was young. She started leading worship at 14 years old and never stopped. Guitar is her primary instrument, but she also plays ukulele and sings. Her style ranges from singer-songwriter to indy/alternative. Currently, she performs in worship at Harbor Church and writes her own songs.
In 2018, she got to go to Port Au Prince, Haiti to sing and help teach English. That experience changed her life and taught her that music really does overcome a multitude of boundaries. She has also played in multiple bands and worship teams throughout the years.
Maddy is primarily self-taught and plays a variety of styles by ear. Her approach to music has always been out of the box and driven by her deep love of the arts. To Maddy, music is a pure, unique form of self-expression. The most important thing to her is that her students feel that same passion and love for their craft.
Brandon Sylvia
Instructor
Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Music Theory, Jazz/Rock Ensembles, Ukulele, Beginner Piano
After studying jazz and classical guitar at UMass Dartmouth, Brandon was given both the degree and the experience to play guitar in many settings. He currently plays in a rock/blues band and work on the side doing a jazz duo. Outside of this, he takes on many different musical projects whenever the opportunity arises.
In June , 2018, Brandon went to Ghana in Africa to experience their traditional music and culture. Every morning, he would drum and dance to songs that originated in different regions of West Africa. This helped him realize the “language” behind music , seeing how they teach it , perform it, and speak it.
All of these experiences keep Brandon’s mind open to various genres of music and seeing it all as one language.
He listens to a variety of music, but some artists that have captivated him include Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, George Benson, Marcus King, John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Jimi Hendrix, The New Mastersounds, Mandolin Orange, and Grateful Dead. There are many more – too many to list! – but these are some that have planted seeds in his musical journey.
From teachers and people he’s met, he will forever be learning and growing, and he wants to show his students how to do the same.
Sarah kemp
Instructor
Piano, Guitar, Music Theory, Singing-Songwriting
Sarah has taught private piano lessons for 15+ years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music and her master’s degree in elementary education from Simmons College. While at Simmons, she was a member of College Chorale and supplemented her music education with Berklee College of Music private instruction in voice and guitar.
Sarah has experience performing in recitals, concerts, talent shows, weddings, and memorial services. Sarah began composing music in 7th grade and fell in love with songwriting.
Sarah’s musical influences include Kurt Cobain, Jerry Garcia, Alicia Keys, Neil Young, The Eagles, Drop Kick Murphys, Jewel, and Christina Aguilera. Along with many other artists — too many to list!
Sarah grew up on Cape Cod and graduated from Mashpee High School. In Sarah’s spare time, she enjoys taking nature hikes, walks on the beach, spending time with her son and family.
Dan Felix
Instructor
Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Percussion, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Music Production
Dan is a touring saxophonist who has been teaching privately since receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College. As well as being classically trained, he also found his passion for jazz music at IC and held the lead saxophone chair in the IC Jazz Ensemble for 3 years. Since, Dan has enjoyed playing saxophone across the country with various jazz, rock, funk, reggae, jam, and wedding bands, including folk/funk/jam band “SixFoxWhiskey,” who he has been lucky enough to see the country with and record an album with.
As an educator, Dan is a MA-State certified teacher (K-12 Music) and has been teaching private lessons to musicians of all ages for 8 years. Since 2017 he has been director of the “Joy of Music” band program in Kingston MA, where he taught group lessons to over 75 students in grades 3-6 on instruments including Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, and Piano. Dan truly enjoys sharing his passion for music and is very excited to be a part of the SSMA crew!
Susanna Creel
Instructor
Voice
Growing up on Cape Cod, Susanna is grateful to have had wonderful opportunities in music and theater with three (3) years of private vocal training and eight (8) years in Cape Cod community theater playing a number of different roles. Some favorite roles include Margot in ‘Legally Blonde,’ Phoebe D’Ysquith in ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,’ Wednesday Addams in ‘The Addams Family,’ and Luisa in ‘The Fantasticks.’
Susanna has had a passion for singing and theater since she was a little girl. She grew up singing in church and joined school choir in second grade and never missed an opportunity to be in school choirs, including All Cape Choir, South East Choir and All Cape Jazz Choir. She’s even had the incredible opportunity to take master classes with classic-pop vocalist, John Stevens, and opera singer, Maria Ferrante. Susanna is always enthusiastic to rehearse and learn more about music and performance.
Currently, Susanna is a part of the worship team at Brewster Baptist church and part of a local group, The Cape Cod Carolers. Along with vocals, she plays the clarinet and saxophone.
Music is a powerful form of art that drives emotions home and gives a great deal of confidence. She’s eager to pass on the joy and emotional release that singing can bring to each individual in a lighthearted and unique way.
CONNOR THURSTON
Instructor
Brass, Guitar, Woodwinds, Strings, Voice, Piano, Accordion, Ukulele, Mandolin, Bass, Music Theory
Connor recently graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in Music Education, and holds a Massachusetts K-12 Teaching Certificate. With a focus in French Horn at UMass, Connor is very comfortable with the brass family and has played in many ensembles including recording and premiering new works by modern composers. During Connor’s UMass career, he worked full time in elementary school and middle school settings as part of his student teaching placements. Connor was also the music director of UMass’s A Capella group Note-orious.
In the summer of 2017, Connor was the guitarist for the folk group Oksat and performed at the Sommelo Folk Music Festival in Kuhmo, Finland. While there, he also took classes on the Kantele, a traditional finnish instrument. Connor is excited to be on the Steeple Street team and share music with others!
LeeAnn McKenna
Instructor
Flute, Recorder, Ukulele
A native Rhode Islander, LeeAnn McKenna, has had the great privilege to work with some of the greatest classical flute players of the 20th and 21st centuries: Jean Pierre Rampal, Julius Baker (New York Philharmonic), Mindy Kaufmann (New York Philharmonic), Carol Wincenc, Lois Schaeffer (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Michael Hasel (Berlin Philharmonic), and Donald Peck (Chicago Symphony). She has performed throughout Europe and much of the East and West coasts on the United States, as well as two tours to Puerto Rico.
She received her BA-Music with honors from Wheaton College, and her M-Mus in Flute Performance from the University of Oregon where she was awarded “Outstanding Woodwind Performer” in her graduating class. Her orchestral and chamber experiences includes the New Bedford Symphony; the Augusta Symphony and Augusta Opera orchestras, and Musica Antiqua (Georgia); the Eugene Symphony and Opera orchestras, the Oregon Mozart Players, the Oregon Festival of American Music Orchestra, the University Orchestra, and the Oregon Chamber Players.
A bi-coastal musician, she presently performs throughout Cape Cod and the Pacific Northwest, and records with the Red Lantern Ensemble (a small chamber group presenting a wide variety of music and ensemble types) and Thousand Waves (flute, classical guitar, Japanese koto, bass, and percussion), an ensemble presenting a variety of styles of music from jazz to tangos, renaissance to modern, Japanese to Irish, and much more.
Keb Hutchings-McMahon
Instructor
Bass, Guitar, Music Theory, Drums, Piano
Keb is a Cape Cod native and has been playing music for as long as he can remember. He specializes in guitar and bass, but has taught himself drums and keyboards.
Growing up, he was surrounded by a wide variety of music lovers, taking influence from The Beatles, BB King, and Joni Mitchell, all the way to Radiohead, Deadmau5, M83, and Daft Punk.
Keb has participated in various ensembles on the cape, both independently organized and through public institutions, including the Cape Conservatory. He also took part in the pit orchestra for Nauset High School’s drama department and was a member of Nauset’s First Encounter Jazz Ensemble. Keb has also backed up several local Massachusetts artists.
He’s named after Keb Mo’, the Grammy award-winning blues musician and even developed a long-lasting friendship with him. The two recorded together on a compilation album called, ‘Orthophonic Joy; The Bristol Sessions Revisited.”
Through Keb Mo’, Keb was introduced to the Nashville music scene and has traveled there on several occasions. Although he’s familiar with a multitude of genres, Keb’s current favorite genres are IDM, art rock, alternative, and indie rock.
Erin Deneen
Instructor
Guitar, Singing-Songwriting, Music Production, Artist Development, Mandolin, Drums
After experiencing life and the world of songwriting down in Nashville, Erin has returned to her home of Cape Cod where she continues to play and do what she can to bring music to life. After years of listening to artists such as Whitney Houston, Cher, and more pop driven singers, during her time at Wheaton College, Erin began to fall in love with the country music world. Very quickly names such as Hunter Hayes and Lori McKenna were becoming musical influences.
As someone majoring in Film and New media, she started to look at her screenplay writing and see if that same story could somehow be applied during the moments she had with her guitar. At that time, she didn’t even realize what she was doing was songwriting. It was just a fun puzzle that would later become a passion.
She grew up with a love for music, learning all her instruments by ear and at a young age. But it wasn’t until those college years that she started playing and singing in public. And in those moments she realized that songwriting was the direction and the dream.
When not making music, Erin spends her time teaching at Barnstable High School in the special education department. But her years down in Nashville introduced her to many amazing musicians, artists, and names in the industry. She continues to make frequent trips down to Music City and each time it leads to another great experience and lesson learned. Lessons and stories she can’t wait to share with the Steeple Street Community.
Michael Dunford
Instructor
Drums, Percussion
Michael began his professional music career in his teen years playing timpani and percussion with the Cape Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Jerome Cohen and Royston Nash, and the Chatham Chorale, directed by founder Marjorie Bennett Morley. While in high school Michael studied with legendary Broadway drummer Dick Koff and later Boston timpanist John Grimes and Hartt School of Music Dean, Al LePak.
At the Berklee College of Music, Michael studied with Gil Graham, John Ramsey and Percussion Chair Dean Anderson. After graduating from Berklee, Michael performed with many notable Boston-area classical, jazz, blues and rock musicians, recording and touring throughout the U.S.
Now residing in Sandwich, Michael regularly performs in clubs, theaters and concert halls from Boston throughout the South Coast and is a sought-after drum instructor.
Natalia Bonfini
Summer Instructor, consultant
Songwriting, Vocals, Marketing & Artist Development, MASH-VILLE Judge
Natalia is an acoustic guitarist, songwriter, and new-aged soul musician born and raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She has performed at a multitude of different venues across the New England and Tampa Bay Areas. Natalia released her first single “Before” in February of 2018, which won her first place in the 2018 New England Songwriters Competition. The release of her EP, ‘Beyond the Broken Pieces,’ followed in July of 2019.
Natalia’s unique and refreshing style shines through her covers which mash up genres from acoustic soul, to pop, to classic rock, to rap, and the list goes on. Natalia’s natural ability to tell a story takes fans on a journey with her as they listen to her original music accompanied by her timeless vocals.
Natalia provides a great deal of her expertise to the continual development of Steeple Street and is available to consult on a variety of music business needs.
Eric Robbins
Instructor
Music Production, Songwriting, Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Cello
For Eric’s entire life, he’s known that music was his calling. When he found Steeple Street Music Academy, he was met with people who feel the same way that he does: they feel that music is their purpose, and their home.
Eric has spent his life writing music and composing in a variety of styles. He has two full-length albums out now, and he’s also in a band with his brother, ‘O the Fool.’ Eric produces all music himself, and plays every instrument he needs to play in order to make my creations come to life.
At college, he was introduced to theater and a capella, and heexperienced what communal creation truly was. Now that he’s graduated, he has the amazing opportunity to spread the knowledge that he has acquired; — and hopefully learn a lot himself from other like-minded musicians. He is here to help his students become the best musicians they can be!
Taylor Nardone
Class iNSTRUCTOR,
Event Host
Vlogging, MASH-VILLE
Taylor is coming to Steeple Street from Plymouth Public Schools, where he currently teaches elementary general music. In this setting, he facilities the musical learning for 400 students and has developed activities beyond the classroom to help students connect more deeply with music.
At the College of Saint Rose in New York, Taylor majored in music education (K-12), with a focus in vocals. While there, he additionally served as President and Section Leader of Masterworks Chorale. Taylor also managed to teach voice and piano to students at the Patrizio School for the Arts in Latham, New York. He has facilitated learning in chorale settings as well as some musical theater.
He’s excited to continue providing class instruction at Steeple Street as well as host the annual event, MASH-VILLE!
Follow Taylor on Instagram and subscribe to his YouTube channel for examples of his expertise!
Tom Davis
Instructor,
field liaison
Electric Guitar, Songwriting
Tom Davis has been playing guitar for over 15 years all around the Cape and Islands. For the last 10 years he’s been playing in a local band ‘Funktapuss’, and has been fortunate enough to be able to tour around the country, and put out a record with them, as well as his own solo work, and guest spot on other artists’ albums.
His love for music and guitar come from watching concerts on PBS with his Dad as a kid and becoming obsessed with the sounds of what the electric guitar offered. He quickly became obsessed with music of the Beatles, the Moody Blues, Albert King, BB King, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin – to name a few.
For him, being able to play guitar helped tap into a side of expression that was more powerful than could be explained; the fact that it’s something that physically can never be held, but is so important and impactful on the human psyche is an intoxicating obsession to chase.
He hopes to bring his infectious passion for music and guitar to others. Being also employed at Charlie’s Music in Hyannis, Tom is happy to assist with any equipment needs!
Jason Stripinis
iNSTRUCTOR
*ON HIATUS*
Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Music Theory, Songwriting
Jason Stripinis has been teaching and performing professionally for over thirty years.
He studied at Berklee College of Music and Bridgewater State University with jazz masters Randy Roos and Jon Finn. He is a pupil of Eliot Fisk protégé Jerome Mouffe, and thus continues the art of classical guitar in the direct lineage of Segovia and Tarrega.
Jason has performed solo and in large and small ensembles, has appeared on national television and in various venues in Boston and New York as well as locally.
He has taught over 100 students ranging in age from three to 70 in various electric and acoustic styles.
**Due to injury, Jason is taking an indefinite hiatus from teaching, but we hope to have him back as a teacher in the future!**
Lydia Broderick
Art Instructor
Lydia is a self-taught, Cape Cod-based, mixed media painter.
Born into a family of artists, Lydia was encouraged to channel her creativity through various art forms, including theater, music, and visual art.
From an early age, Lydia showed an aptitude for drawing using whatever tool she could get her hands on. By her teenage years, charcoal became her tool of choice.
Her love of drawing portraits was born from a desire to capture an emotion by focusing in on the eyes; a signature trait she would later bring to the canvas. For many years, Lydia refused to paint, feeling there were too many painters in the family. Eventually, she gave in and fell in love with it.
Lydia paints a mixture of portraits with some realism and abstraction, using color and texture to convey the complex emotions of the human condition. A few of her works are pictured here.
Some artists who have inspired and influenced her are Salvador Dali, Thomas Hart Benton, Misti Pavlov, John and Elli Milan, and Henry Ascensio.
Donate
“From the Ground Up” Fundraising Campaign!
If you feel called to help us, there are a variety of ways you can provide support… and, as a thank you for generous one-time donations or to our patrons, we’d like to offer recognition on our site and at the school.
Donate
For simple, one-time donations online with a credit card or PayPal balance, click the “Donate” button below and make a donation via PayPal.
become a patron
For monthly donations online with a credit card or PayPal balance, click the “Patron” button below and set up a recurring donation via PayPal.
RAISING THE BAR
For those wishing to donate funds directly to student tuition, our “Raising the Bar” program offers a platform in order to do so! Click the button to make a donation.
Patrons
Sam Knight
Logo design
Co-Founder, jACK kNIFE bOARD cO.
Jack Knife Board Co. handcrafts custom longboards with unique artwork by Sam Knight. Their signature clothing line can be found at exclusive locations in Harwich Port, or online at: www.jackknifeboardco.com
Sam collaborated with the owners of SSMA to create the school logo and slogan.
Colleen Demarce
Piano donation
Originally from South Dakota, Colleen is a Medical Technologist at Cape Cod Hospital, music lover, and dear friend of the owners.
Her Young Chang piano was enjoyed and played by one of her sons, who is now grown with a family of his own. Colleen wanted to make sure her piano went to a good home – and is certain SSMA is the right place!
The Browne Family
Piano Donation
Our friends on the cape with a great appreciation for music, Doug and Mary Browne had a beautiful Kohler & Campbell piano that they wanted to donate to the school.
We are so glad that they did! This piano is now featured in our multi-purpose space in front of the school. Come check it out!
Mitch Summey
Signage
Mitch created ALL of the signs on the physical school building – the two in front and the big, beautiful one on the side facing the commons.
Because he did such a tremendous job and donated so much of his time without much thought about compensation, we consider him one of our most important patrons and dearest friends.
Dolores Deslauriers Fell c/o Cori Woodworth
Piano Donation
Dolores Deslauriers, now Dolores Fell, is from Spencer, Massachusetts and went to Anna Maria College. She taught school for over 30 years and gave private voice and piano lessons from home. Dolores also played the organ and ran church choir at St. Teresa’s Church in Tiverton, RI. When she heard about Steeple Street Music Academy, she reached out to offer her incomparable Mason & Hamlin piano to us.
The above picture is a picture of Dolores from November 1965, thoughtfully provided to us by her daughter, Cori Woodworth.
BETSY SIGGINS
MUSIC ENTHUSIAST & SUPPORT
Over the years, Betsy Siggins has been a constant champion for musicians all across Cape Cod and beyond. Her enthusiasm, promotion, and assistance in helping us open SSMA has been a tremendous asset.
Betsy was the founding member of Club 47, now known as Club Passim, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This legendary venue was the folk music launching pad for musicians such as Joan Baez, Jim Kweskin, and Eric von Schmidt. Betsy witnessed firsthand the infamous evening concert at Newport 1965, where her friend, Bob Dylan, “went electric.” Now, a founder of the New England Folk Music Archives/Folk New England, she turns her energies to establishing a permanent home for the legacy of the folk music community of New England.
Nile Morin
Truck & Trailer Transportation
Nile Morin, a classmate of Demetrius’ from all the way back in fifth grade, graciously – and without hesitation! – offered the use of his beautiful truck and trailer to transport the benches now lining the interior walls of our multi-purpose space.
Nile is owner and partner at Oceanside Realty Group and M&M Realty.
Learn more about Nile at: https://soldcapecod.com/agent/nile-morin-6065
Mark & Mary Hickman
Truck & Trailer Operation
Longtime friends, music enthusiasts, and world travelers, Mark and Mary Hickman were all too happy to operate Nile Morin’s truck and trailer to pick up the benches for the school’s multi-purpose room. Their expertise in governing an Airstream trailer during their travels made them an obvious choice to help us out.
Special thanks to Mark for helping Demetrius with the heavy lifting of loading and unloading the benches!
…with heartfelt thanks to all of our donors:
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
-Oscar Wilde
- Betsy Siggins
- Scotti Adams
- Kelly Pentzakis
- Steve Morgan
- Jared Streeter
- Cathy Carlisle
- Kristen Gibb
- George M. Dratelis
- Judith Saum
- Angela Hahn
- Mark Wirzburger
- Angela O’Keefe
- Cape Cod Church
- Nora Ashley
- Carson Atteberry
- Chris Campbell
- Brosnan Joan
- Julie Strother & James Haggar
- Mark & Jackie Ruggieri
- Paul & Donna Ruggieri
- Sarah Barsamian Richards
- Joanne Makredes Salogiannis
- Cal Makredes Finocchiaro
- Deborah McDevitt Hays
- Mary Jane Baker
- Erin Cox
- Allie Ann Hammond
- John Mondick
- George Scharr
- Anne & Chris Dorsch
- Viktor Solorzano
- Mashpee Commons
Testimonials
Your presentation is beyond fantastic. The aesthetic appeal of your building, and the cultural vibe inside is admirable. We are honored to promote such an amazing business model.
Music and Art is an ingredient for success.
Cape Cod Entertainment Review,
upon awarding SSMA with the ‘Hidden Gem’ Award
What our Community Says
“Chase was beaming when we attended the open house for Steeple Street Music Academy on Saturday. We thought we would just pop in as we were already in Mashpee Commons. We soon found that we were among friends – music and art does that. Chase was in his glory when he picked up his artwork that he created with his peers that will hang at Cape Space in Hyannis…We all can rise to the level of our ability when supported and encouraged.”
Marie Younger Blackburn, Mom of chase, student at SSMA
“Thank you Katherine and Demetrius and everyone at Steeple Street Music Academy for the most AMAZING music and art jamboree! The children and adults we support here at (KDC) Kennedy-Donovan Center were thrilled with the entire program.
The greatest reward was seeing the joy on everyone’s face and hearing all of the clapping and laughing! We will be back!”
Juliane Dillon, Outreach-Family Support Coordinator at Kennedy-Donovan Center
“I’m having so much fun playing the piano! Check this place out!”
Pamela Tremarche, retired physical education teacher who always wanted to learn piano
Announcements
spring semester 2021
February 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra
to begin residency at steeple street music academy
The Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra (CCCO), under the helm of Director and Conductor, Matt Scinto, will be partnering with and taking up residency at Steeple Street music Academy — beginning with a live-streamed performance on Sunday, December 6 at 2PM from the music school location in Mashpee Commons and continuing each month through 2021.
As part of the newly developed partnership, CCCO musicians and Matt will also begin to work closely with students to develop new education programs centered around the appreciation of classical music.
“dAY CARE CENTER IN WORKS AT MASHPEE COMMONS”
CAPE COD TIMES | August 31, 2020
Music academy owners hope to set aside space to fill community need
by Jessica Hill
jhill@capecodonline.com
MASHPEE — As they return to work in person from the coronavirus-related shutdown, many parents will struggle to find safe child care options.
The Massachusetts department of Early Education and Care has found that 163 day care centers have decided to shut down permanently, according to data provided at a department board meeting earlier this month.
Child care capacity is expected to return to 72% of pre-COVID-19 levels, according to the department.
Mashpee Commons and Steeple Street Music Academy have recognized that need and are working together to open a day care facility.
Location
We have teamed up with the Mashpee Commons to bring you music lessons, classes, and other art programs in Cape Cod at Steeple Street Music Academy. We’re located at 40 Steeple Street in Mashpee, Massachusetts in the stand-alone, white building with Greek columns (appropriate!?), across from the outdoor stage. Come check us out!
