Welcome to steeple street music academy!

Building community through art

WE ARE HIRING! 

We are currently seeking teachers to be part of both our music academy and preschool.

If you’re interested in being in a professional, community-driven, and creative work environment, this is the place for you!

We are especially in need of piano instructors and preschool assistants for Fall 2023.

 

Click the button below to apply. 

Employment Application

 

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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.”

He’s now in the band “Currents” with Renee Levesque. Check them out on Instagram @currentsband — more to come summer 2023!

 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, Poetry, Marketing, Website Development

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. 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, 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 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.

Why Steeple Street Music Academy?

Owners with a Vision

We envision a school that is a haven for those seeking a place to hone their creative energies and connect with other like-minded individuals. Imagine SSMA as your home away from home!

With access to both this amazing facility and the unique Mashpee Commons setting, the sky’s the limit! The staff and students involved right from the start have the unique opportunity to see the dream evolve and have a direct hand in crafting its identity.

Unique Facilities & Setting

We have modern and spacious teaching rooms, a larger multi-purpose room for ensembles, in-house recitals, and other events, and the Mashpee Commons has given us ample opportunity to use the outdoor stage across the street.

SSMA is located in the commons, but in a stand-alone building! This gives us the flexibility in making beautiful music without interrupting upstairs neighbors or adjacent businesses, while also remaining connected to this one-of-a-kind community.

Passionate Instructors

Instructors at SSMA come from a variety of musical performance and teaching backgrounds. They understand the importance of providing a meaningful music education experience that is tailored to each student’s learning style and personal desires.

Whether you want to focus on music theory, playing technique, or vocal range, we are ready to match students up with an instructor, who is prepared to facilitate an individualized curriculum just for you.

Music. Culture. Passion.

Building brand integration and possibly funnel users.

Seize Your Moment

Building brand integration and possibly funnel users.

Let’s Rock!

Building brand integration and possibly funnel users.

Music. Culture. Passion.

Building brand integration and possibly funnel users.

Seize Your Moment

Building brand integration and possibly funnel users.

Let’s Rock!

Building brand integration and possibly funnel users.

Payment Plan Options

When you sign up for lessons or a class, you can choose a payment plan that works for you. You can pay prior to each month with our “Pay While You Play” plan OR pay prior to each semester and get a discount on our services!

Using the Student Portal, students and families are able to submit payment. With so many things taking up time and energy in our lives, we at SSMA want to make the payment process as convenient and stress-free as possible.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

– Maya Angelou

Connected Community

Our music software allows our school community to stay CONNECTED!

Both students and staff have access to an online portal to support more effective communication and organization.

Our First Verse Preschool community uses the Teaching Strategies platform to develop age-appropriate curriculum and include families in the learning through an interactive app.

 


 


 

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


ALL AGES. 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.

get started

Semi-Private Lessons


ALL AGES. 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!

get started

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 — or help us put one together!

get started

Preschool


Are you looking for a daycare service with a music and art theme? Is your child 15 months – 6 years old? Consider our EEC-licensed childcare program, First Verse Preschool!

learn more

BANDS


Always wanted to be in a rock band? Country? Folk? Funk? Our instructors build bands for real life gigs! Inquire to learn more.

get started

summer camps


Need something musical or artistic to do this summer? Crave being around like-minded people? Inquire about our summer programs. (Or suggest something you’d like to see!)

learn more

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 students on a monthly budget.

$43/lesson

  • Private 1/2-hour lessons
  • Paid one month in advance
  • 3-5 lessons

Inquire

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

Inquire

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)

Inquire

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 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.

Read the Student Handbook


 

The Crew

 


 

Sarah Fachada

Instructor

Piano & Voice (all levels), Music Theory, Composition, Beginner Guitar

Sarah Fachada, a native of southeastern Ohio, teaches piano, voice, and music theory at Steeple Street Music Academy. A performer and teacher with many years of experience, Sarah
received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Mount Union University in Alliance, Ohio, and her Master of Music Degree in Voice Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Sarah has performed extensively as a vocal soloist, opera singer, musical theater performer and director, and choral singer and conductor in the Midwest and New England with
various groups such as Cleveland Opera Theater, Boston Lyric Opera, Masterworks Chorale (Lexington, MA), New England Conservatory Opera Workshop, American Choral Directors Association Choir at Smith College, New Hampshire Symphony, Savoyard Light Opera Company, City Streets Dinner Theater, Nashua (NH) Choral Society, Prescott Park Summer Theater (Portsmouth, NH), and Opera New England of Cape Cod, among others. She has been
a member of music and educational organizations such as the National Association for Music Education, and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, as well as attending conferences with organizations such as Learning and the Brain, and the Gifted and Talented Association.

Sarah has taught in public and private school settings, as well as
community music schools and at the college level, having taught in Wilmington (MA) Public Schools, the Cleveland Music School Settlement, Belmont (MA) Day School, Sandwich
Community School, Cape Cod Conservatory, and Plymouth (NH) State College.

For the last twenty-five years, Sarah was the general music teacher, musical theater director, choral
conductor and private music instructor at Cape Cod Academy. During her tenure at CCA, Sarah
composed, produced and directed children’s musicals based on children’s literature such as
Puss in Boots, and Strega Nona. She also produced and directed full length musical theater productions for students in grades 1-12 such as The Little Mermaid, My Fair Lady, Grease, The Pirates of Penzance and many others. Her students consistently achieved high scores and participation in local and regional music auditions and festivals, including the All-Cape and Islands Music Festival, the Southeastern District Music Festival, the Massachusetts All-StateMusic Festival, and the All-Eastern Honors Festival Chorus, in which top-level high school choral students from New England, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland were chosen to participate.

Sarah is now very excited to be part of the team at Steeple Street Music School!

Shane Fitzgerald

Instructor

Guitar & Bass Guitar (all levels), Drums, Beginner Piano, Music Theory, Songwriting, Recording

Rock Ensembles

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

Instructor

Classical Violin (all levels)

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.

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.

erickson cerqueira

Instructor

Piano, Guitar, Voice, Ukulele, Recording

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.

Andrew Hellwig

Instructor

Woodwinds, Brass, Beginner Piano

Jazz Ensembles

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.

MATTHEW PATREI

Instructor

Piano, Guitar, Voice, Music Production

 

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.

Christopher keRINS

Instructor

Cello

Voice, Beginner Piano

Christopher began musical studies in instrumental music, and voice in grade school in New York City, and continued his studies at the High School of Music and Art, as well as the Pre-College Division at Juilliard, studying with Jerome Carrington and Joel Krosnick.
He attended Boston University as a music performance major studying with Leslie Parnas, Phyllis Curtin, Mary Davenport, and Phyllis Hoffman. A member of the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra for 20 years he has also performed with groups such as Philador – an early music group on Cape Cod, Church of the Advent (Boston), All Saints Church (Worcester), the Boston University Orchestra, Boston University Opera Company, ALEA III – a contemporary music organization in residence at Boston University, Plymouth Philharmonic, Boston Opera, Prague Virtuosi Orchestra, Símon Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Granite State Orchestra, he can occasionally be found playing in a pit orchestra for musicals all over Cape Cod, as well as concert and chamber music appearances around the world that would be too lengthy to list. He has been teaching, coaching, and conducting for the past 25 years and thoroughly enjoys sharing his joy of music with others.

skip king

Instructor

Banjo, Music Theory

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.

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.

Matt Scinto

Instructor

Classical Piano, Viola, Violin

**Not accepting new students**

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, two kitties, his daughter Sophia and baby Leo. He’s happy to be on the Steeple Street team!

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.

 

Dan Felix

Instructor

Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Guitar, Percussion, Piano

**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!

https://www.sixfoxwhiskey.com

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.

“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.

Donate

 

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.

Patron

 

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.

Student Tuition


 

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

How to Donate


 

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

 


 

“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.

 

Read More

Subscribe to our YouTube channel!

With the help of vlogger extraordinaire, Taylor Nardone, our newly minted YouTube channel is up and running under the direction and editing of Katherine Becrelis.

Check out the latest vlogs here, and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE!

 

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!