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 co-founded 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. He also services on the Board of Directors for the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce.
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 director
Offers instruction in:
Piano, Drawing
Katherine Becrelis worked in the education field for nearly 15 years and 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. If you want a traditional, by-the-book piano instructor, Kate is your gal. 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. She was also in a number of choral groups throughout her educational career, performing as an alto.
Before beginning a career in education, 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 manages the daily functions at the school. She also teaches piano and is available for tutoring in poetry, drawing, 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.
Programs & Services
MUSIC INSTRUCTION
We offer meaningful music instruction to ALL ages and ALL abilities through private lessons, semi-private lessons, groups, and ensembles.
Instructors here teach: piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, strings, winds, brass, songwriting, and music production in a variety of genres and styles from beginner through advanced levels.
CHILDCARE
Do you need a high quality daycare program for your child? We serve children from ages 15 months up to 6 years old from 8AM-3PM everyday of the week.
Read more about our program and reach out to set up a tour of the facility.
Book Studio Time
For just $20 per hour, you can rent one of our studios!
We have a variety of acoustic pianos and a drum set available for public use in beautiful spaces with original pieces from local artists as inspiration. Contact us today to set up time!
Lesson Pricing & Policies
Pay While You Play
Perfect for students just starting music lessons or students on a monthly budget.
$43/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 students interested in getting a discount on lessons.
$41/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 during the academic year or students on cape for the summer months.
$42/lesson
- Private 1/2-hour lessons
- Paid one summer in advance
- 8-9 lessons (July-August)
LESSON 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.
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.
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. In this case, instructors will reschedule a lesson when it is convenient for the student.
Tuition does not cover the cost of instrument or materials. For students beginning mid-month, the tuition will be pro-rated. The prepaid, monthly tuition will be due 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 late fee. SSMA reserves the right to suspend lessons/classes for non-payment of tuition.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Before deciding to join our music community, please be sure to read the Student Handbook! From purpose to policies to schedule to payment plans, the handbook outlines all of the crucial information you need to know.
The Crew
Madison Mayer
Roles: Instructor, PT Office Assistant
Areas: Voice, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Songwriting, Theater, Choral Ensembles
Teaching days: Mondays
Born and raised on Cape Cod, Madison Mayer has been performing from Provincetown to Cotuit for the past 16 years.
Since beginning her theatre career, Madison has gained experience in almost 60 productions. She studied tap dance at the Academy of Performing Arts as well as voice with various Cape local legends.
Madison enjoys a wide range of artistic topics including Musical Theatre, Voice, Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, Music Theory, Music Production, Tap Dance, and Audition Skills.
In addition to her role as a private instructor, Madison will be a part-time office assistant for the school as well as working to establish Steeple Street Music Academy’s new theater program.
Fun Fact! Madison currently owns and operates Cape Cod Charcuterie Company @capecodcharcuterie.
mATT wIEnCKE
Areas: Piano (all levels), Voice, Choral Ensembles
Teaching days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays
Music has always been a major part of Matt’s life since he was very young. His father played viola and had a natural talent for music. He could pick up his viola, join a string quartet, and manage quite well. He was a fan of classical piano and we would listen together for hours to records of Beethoven piano sonatas and Bach preludes and fugues, and he would point out details such as how a pianist shaped the end of a certain phrase.
With his parents and three siblings, he sang and played musical instruments: violin, viola, flute, clarinet, trombone, and piano. He took private lessons with John Koch, a wonderful teacher, concert pianist, and composer who coached me on Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Debussy. They worked through Paul Hindemith’s Traditional Harmony and Matt learned the beauty of all the different chords, and how chords can flow, one into the other.
At St. Olaf College, Matt learned a whole new way of making the piano sing. He learned how to pay attention to your breath when you play. He learned how to understand music in terms of large units, how to feel where music is going and how to express that. Music was no longer just notes on a page. It had purpose. College was a breakthrough in his own musical growth, through Beethoven, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff.
At St. Olaf, he studied piano with A. DeWayne Wee, voice with Anton Armstrong, and music theory and composition with Charles Forsberg. He later studied music counterpoint and composition with Jon Appleton, and voice and conducting with Melinda O’Neal, at Dartmouth College.
Since then, Matt has played in a variety of venues. He has played chamber music and accompanied singers and choruses throughout New England. He was pianist for the Bel Canto Chamber Singers and pianist for the Thetford Chamber Singers.
Matt has also worked in theater for over ten years. He was music director, producer, pianist, and actor for Wild Swan Theatre. Productions include Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Our Town, and I’ll Be Loving You Always at the Boothbay Playhouse. He also served as pianist at Williamstown Theater Festival, Northern Stage, and Moonlighters Swing Band.
His roots are classical music which he continues to play and perform. Some of my favorites include Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier and English Suites, Beethoven’s “Tempest” and “Waldstein” sonatas, Brahms’s Piano Pieces op. 118 and 119, Debussy’s Reflets dans l’eau, and Rachmaninoff’s piano sonata no. 2 in B minor.
Zack Johnson
Area: Voice (specializing in Opera & Theater)
Teaching days: Mondays
Originally from Eastham, Zack has established himself in the theater scene on the cape as a talented vocalist. And, coming from a family of teachers, Zack has a natural gift for educating students of all ages and abilities.
Zack earned his Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory of Music, going on to earn his Masters of Music and Musical Arts at Yale University.
He has experience as an audio engineer, youth theater music director as well as a voice teacher and coach at Yale University. In 2014, he earned the first place award in “The National Association of Teachers of Singing” singing competition.
Zack will be teaching private voice lessons in addition to offering valuable instruction in Steeple Street Music Academy’s new theater program.
MATTHEW PATREI
Areas: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Music Production
Teaching days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Matthew Patrei has been playing and performing music for more than 10 years. Matthew is a multi-instrumentalist whose primary instruments are piano, guitar, and voice. He has played in various bands and ensembles, and he has composed over 50 original songs. Matthew studied guitar performance, music composition, music theory, and Ableton Live at the Berklee College of Music. Matthew studied piano and keyboard under private instructors throughout the years. While all instruments contribute to the beauty of music, piano serves as a foundational instrument for virtually every domain of musical expression.
Matthew has been teaching art and music to young people for 5 years. He likes to teach musical concepts through the lens of concrete skills with piano, guitar, and singing. Similar to painting, music is a big abstract world where the learning is rooted in the doing. In other words, like many forms of art and skill development, we learn the theory through a combination of consistent practice and gentle guidance. And what the heck is the point if it isn’t fun? Regardless of a student’s age or level, Matthew will help the students find ways to have fun with their instruments.
In the last few years, Matthew has expanded his creative practices through using Ableton Live software. He has recorded and produced many songs with Ableton Live. In this process, he’s utilized Ableton’s numerous software devices to design unique sounds, play with layers of instruments and samples, and calibrate musical dynamics in ways that were previously unimaginable. Through Ableton’s powerful software and the lens of music theory, Matthew’s musical practices have flown to a new sonic universe.
Shane Fitzgerald
Areas: Guitar & Bass Guitar (all levels), Drums, Beginner Piano, Music Theory, Songwriting, Recording, Rock Ensembles
Teaching days: Mondays
Shane is a very dedicated musician, who prides himself in his studies of all styles of music including jazz, funk, rock, country, blues and dance music.
With a 7 year background of studying with music teacher Louis Locicero, and a 2 year background studying with drum teacher Dick Dicenso, Shane has garnered an appreciation for the process of learning and the process of teaching.
After over 2 years of his teaching under his belt, he has shown the confidence and desire to push students to excel and step out of their comfort zone, while being able to function in any musical situation they may find themselves in.
Sarah Jeremias
Area: Classical Violin (all levels)
Teaching days: Saturdays
Sarah began her studies in music and violin in 1998, participating in a project created by
the municipal government of her hometown in Brazil. Thus, her passion for music
began. Over the years, as a member of the Volta Redonda String Orchestra, she
traveled throughout Brazil playing in renowned concert halls and theaters in her country,
such as Sala São Paulo, Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Sala Cecilia Meireles,
etc.
After some time, feeling more challenged and confident, she decided to move on and
join the Barra Mansa Symphony Orchestra, where in addition she played in many other
concert halls and theaters in Brazil some in Recife – PE, Porto Alegre – RS and several
cities in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. There then, she started her life as a violin
teacher for children, in the same way she started years ago. Her passion for teaching
began there in 2010. She studied with numerous renowned professors in Brazil, such as
Paulo Bosisio, Carlos Moreno, Ubirata Rodrigues and Maressa Carneiro, her most
recent teacher.
She participated as a member of the Barra Mansa Symphony Orchestra in several
operas and ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and The Corsair, all together with
the Bale of the Mariinsky Theater from Saint Petersburg in Russia. She was conducted
by internationally known and acclaimed conductors such as Alastair Willis from the
United States, Alexei Repnikov from Russia, Isaac Karabtchevsky from São Paulo, Apo
Hsu from Thailand etc.
Although her background is more focused on the classical violin, she has experience
playing in various popular events such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and
concerts focused on popular music. She ventures into songwriting too, even though it’s
not her focus as a musician, having composed arrangements for quartets and duets for
weddings as well. One of her passions is also playing at her local church, where she
can play more freely. Her priority as a teacher is to teach students the love of music and
the instrument. For her, it is necessary to understand that in addition to having
concentration and consistency in studies, the most important thing is to have fun and
know that no matter how many steps you still have in front of you, the most important
thing is appreciate where you’ve come so far.
Bret saylor
Areas: Piano, Composition (all levels)
Teaching days: Thursdays, Saturdays
Bret is an accomplished composer, arranger, teacher, and pianist. He attended the Julius Hartt School of Music from age 10, starting with classical piano lessons and music theory classes. He went on to earn a B.A. in Music Composition and Theory and a P.B. Music Teacher’s Certification from Westfield State College (now WSU).
Bret has been performing solo piano and as keyboardist in rock bands here on Cape Cod since 1990 and is well versed in all musical styles. He has been passionately guiding piano students of all ages and varying interests in developing their skills, always bringing excitement, fun and discovery.
Among Bret’s many credits is his arrangement of “A Medley Of Gershwin Tunes”, scored for full orchestra with jazz quartet, featured at Pops In The Park 1996, Orleans, MA. He composed the music for and co-directed with Joan Spilman the musical drama “Why?” at Brewster Baptist Church, Brewster, MA 2005. He has given concerts of original works for piano, string quartet, sarode, and backing tracks and has done extensive composing and production work with Dani Dalinian, Nandlal Nayak, and Eric Raynaud (Fraction) and has developed a larch archive of totalistic, world, and computer based music, utilizing his own tonal systems and other unique devises.
Erin Deneen
Areas: Guitar, Singing-Songwriting, Music Production, Artist Development, Mandolin, Drums
Teaching days: Mondays, Wednesdays
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.
Andrew Hellwig
Areas: Woodwinds, Brass, Beginner Piano, Jazz Ensembles
Teaching days: Thursdays
Andrew Hellwig is a modern day saxophonist, educator, and composer. Born and raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Andrew studied music under the direction of Andy Troyanos as well as Berke McKelvey. Andrew began playing gigs professionally at the age of 15 with the big band, Stage Door Canteen. Andrew followed his passion and received a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Rhode Island. At URI, he studied jazz and classical saxophone with Dr. Jared Sims, Bill Jones, Dr. Jon Amon, Dave Zinno, and Emmett Goods. Andrew’s playing is heavily influenced by a variety of jazz and classical artists including Chris Potter, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt, Sonny Rollins, Kenny Garrett, Michael Brecker, Donald Sinta, Claude Delangle, John Sampen, and Nobuya Sugawa.
Andrew has had the incredible opportunity to perform with many distinguished and Grammy award winning musicians and groups including Mike Tomaro, Josh Evans, Steve Ahern, Geoff Vidal, Doug Woolverton, Bill Thompson, Jeff Galindo, Garrett Savluk, James Montgomery, David Hull, Marty Richards, Michael “Tunes” Antunes, Larry Brown Swinglane Orchestra, Stage Door Canteen, The Sultans, James Montgomery Blues Band and Gumption and Glory. Andrew has performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, Umass Saxophone Symposium, Truly Cape Cod Jazz Festival, The Met, Pumphouse Music Works, Courthouse Center for the Arts, Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cape Cod Conservatory, The Kowloon as well as many other venues. Andrew has also taken part in masterclasses with John Sampen, Dino Govoni, Adam Larson, and Greg Abate. He currently studies with New York saxophonist Geoff Vidal.
Aside from performing, Andrew has taught privately for 9 years currently operating his own studio in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. His students placed top 5 in the 2020 RIMEA All-State in both jazz and concert band. Andrew is also a faculty member at “More than Music” in Wickford, RI. He has given clinics all across New England and was the saxophone mentor for the Paul Elfman Honors Band.
NIKKI CHILDS
Roles: Instructor, Preschool substitute
Areas: Voice, Songwriting
Teaching days: Flexible
Meet Nikki!
Nikki is described as having “the voice of an angel” and, according to her band, has been the best addition to the group, “Nikki and the Barn Boys,” imaginable.
She was pushed to reach out to the guys by a mutual friend, and the chemistry was undeniable. Nikki and the Barn Boys was formed.
She is not only the voice of the band but also a large contributor in lyrics. Nikki has proven to be a gifted songwriter, along with Graham Hempstead and Thomas Bresette.
Before joining the band, she was doing solo gigs, just with her piano. She has a history of taking music lessons and can also accompany with her guitar.
Currently, Nikki studies online with Salem State University.
Christopher keRINS
Areas: Cello (all levels), Voice, Beginner Piano
Teaching days: Thursdays
skip king
Areas: Banjo, Music Theory
Teaching days: Tuesdays, Thursdays
Skip grew up in a musical family. He began playing guitar at the age of eight and was performing in musical theater and rock bands by the time he was 11 years old.
While in college, he became a part-time singer-songwriter, playing at Boston venues including the Nameless Coffeehouse and Club Passim. He continued performing intermittently in Vermont until 1987, when a career opportunity seized control of nearly all of his time, and his instruments began gathering dust.
Skip acquired his first banjo in 1989, but, by then he was living in northern Maine during pre-internet days and found no teachers. His instruments began to gather dust again.
Around 2003, he moved to the Portland area and found a banjo teacher with the idea that, if it stuck, he’d keep at it — and if it didn’t, he would get rid of the banjo.
It stuck.
Five years later, Skip had replaced his former instructor as a banjo teacher. He had also joined with jam friends to form ‘Cumberland Crossing,’ a bluegrass band that still performs regularly in Maine.
Skip’s teaching centers on beginner and intermediate level Scruggs and melodic-style banjo and has a highly student-focused approach to skills progression that uses classic Scruggs-style repertoire as the foundation for everything else. His goal is to instill solid right and left hand technique and basic knowledge of music theory, all with an aim towards getting students jamming with others as quickly as possible.
erickson cerqueira
Areas: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Ukulele, Recording
Teaching days: Saturdays
Erickson was born in Brazil and has had a passion for music since he was very young.
At the age of nine, he started studying piano, and he played at church ever since. After a few years, he started learning guitar and became a worship leader at the age of 17. This was also when he started teaching music at church.
While studying production engineering, he played in many bands of different rhythms in Brazil like rock, funk, pop and also bands of Brazilian rhythms like samba, forró and sertanejo. He was also in a reggae band for three years.
He then moved to the United States in 2020, where he started attending Cape Cod Church and became part of the worship band as a singer, guitar and keyboard player. He also played in a few rock bands around the area.
He’s very excited to be teaching at Steeple Street and help his students have great experiences with music.
PETER DEFRANCESCO
Areas: Drums, Percussion
Teaching days: Fridays
Peter is well known on the cape as an exceptional drummer and has even begun to produce his own original music.
Taught by the great Bart Weisman, the “Jazz Mayor of Cape Cod,” Peter went on to become All-State Jazz Drummer and accepted to numerous music schools — including Berklee.
Currently, he plays a number of different gigs and also plays drums in church worship settings.
Although young, he has proven to be wise beyond his years. He has a gift for teaching students of all ages and abilities, making the drums accessible for everyone.
To follow everything related to Peter’s music skills and projects, follow him @pjd.music.
mia van de loo
Roles: Instructor, Preschool substitute
Areas: Voice, Songwriting, Beginner Guitar
Teaching days: Flexible
Mia Van de Loo is a singer-songwriter and musician with a wide range of instrumental
abilities, a passionate desire to create and express meaning through music, lifelong
musical experience, and an ambitious and quick-to-learn attitude.
Mia is an active singer-songwriter in the area and has extensive experience developing her vocal range. She took private voice lessons in Chicago and participated in a number of choral groups in Minnesota, California, and New York. She’s self taught on the guitar and ukulele, and she has a history of learning piano as well.
In addition to all of this, Mia has been involved in musical theater throughout California. Notable productions
include the role of Gertrude McFuzz in ‘Seussical’ in Cupertino, California in 2016, and a production of ‘Curtains’ in
Sunnyvale, California in 2019 nominated for a Rita Moreno award.
Michael Dunford
Areas: Drums, Percussion
**Not accepting new students**
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.
Dan Felix
Areas: Woodwinds, Brass
**Not accepting new students**
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 many 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 is also a music educator at Quashnet School in Mashpee.
He truly enjoys sharing his passion for music and is very excited to be a part of the SSMA crew!
Donate
Join our Fundraising Efforts!
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
Valuable Addition!
My daughters have been taking lessons at Steeple Street for over a year. They love their instructors and at the end of each lessons, they walk out to the car with a smile on their face. When I first reached out about lessons, Katherine was responsive and informative. Any time I need to cancel a class, she’s always understanding and accommodating. With two kids taking lessons, she worked with me to find a day and time they could both have lessons so I only have to drive once. With cancellations because one is sick or time restraints to be in person, she’s been gracious and offered remote lessons. That flexibility and understanding really means a lot.
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this school. Demetrius and Katherine are invested in the community. They are such a valuable addition to Mashpee and the surrounding communities.
Jenn, Parent
Couldn’t be Happier!
My 12 year old daughter is loving her singing lessons at Steeple Street. Her teacher is super positive and enthusiastic! My daughter has special needs, and we are so pleased with the inclusive vibe at Steeple Street. We knew things were going well, but seeing my daughters school-based chorus concert this week sealed the deal. She has grown so much in her confidence and ability to project her voice into the audience! We couldn’t be happier!
Shannon, Parent
Special Resource!
This is a wonderful music school! I took private voice lessons over several months with one of the Steeple Street instructors; she really helped me with my singing, gave me lots of great hints, and was very energetic and encouraging. As an adult learner, I had specific ideas about what I wanted to work on, and she was happy to go along with them, but I know she also taught lots of kids, and from hearing her interact with them, I know she was able to adjust her teaching style for the needs of different students. The building has lots of light, instruments, and original artwork… I’ve known the owners, Demetrius and Kate, for almost six years, and they have deep roots in music education and performance. I feel they are really a special resource, and a great addition to the community.
Angela, Adult student
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
News
“First Verse Preschool To Open At Mashpee Commons”
MASHPEE ENTERPRISE | Sept. 23, 2022
Karen B. Hunter, Enterprise News
A large sunny room with books, toys, play areas, freshly painted walls and small desks and chairs perfectly sized for young children is ready for the opening of First Verse Preschool at the end of this month.
The school is to be located at the Steeple Street Music Academy on Steeple Street in Mashpee Commons, where the founders of the academy, Katherine Becrelis and Demetrius N. Becrelis, have turned half of the building into the preschool area.
While sitting on those little chairs—with their 4-year-old son, Michael, playing with toys nearby—the couple talked about how the preschool started.
“It is a large space,” Mr. Becrelis said of the building, which previously housed Emerald Physicians. “When we started from scratch to make the music academy in 2019, we had the idea that the space could be half music school and half preschool, but we put the preschool idea on the back burner.”
That was until they had a meeting with Mashpee Commons administrators after COVID-19, who told the couple that they were seeing many parents who could not find child care for their children and that there was an obvious need.
“They approached us to ask if we would take on a preschool, which caused us to get serious about our original idea,” Ms. Becrelis said. “It is also personal to us because our 4-year-old son will be a part of the school.”
The school’s name, First Verse, is explained in the school brochure: “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.”
Because there is a music school on the other side of the building—connected by a walk-through shared kitchen—and because the school is located in Mashpee Commons, Mr. Becrelis said it will be “unlike any other school.”
“There can be crossover with families and teachers from the music academy with the potential for show-and-tell and sing-alongs,” Ms. Bercrelis said. “ And we will have endless opportunities for field trips at the Commons and right nearby. We can take students to the post office, the library, the pet store, the bookshop, the fire department and the police department. Maybe we can visit chefs at some of the restaurants or visit the jewelry-making shop. There are so many opportunities for community involvement.”
“It will be a ‘Mr. Rogers’ type of experience,” Mr. Becrelis said.
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 across from the outdoor stage. Come check us out!
