Faculty
Core Faculty
RON BOSSE
Boston-based guitarist and composer Ron Bosse has performed throughout the United States and Canada with jazz greats Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi and Bob Mintzer. Ron has been praised for his work in Jazz Times, Downbeat, Jazz Now, Guitar Player, the Boston Globe and New York Times; and has performed at top venues and festivals including, The Litchfield Jazz Festival, Symphony Hall, Regattabar, Knitting Factory, Chris's Jazz Cafe, Zanzibar Blue, Upstairs and Cheney Hall.
TRINA BOSSE
BSM co-founder Trina Bosse has been providing quality music education to students of all levels since the school’s inception in 2004. Trina Holds her B.M. in Music/Voice from Berklee College of Music, where she graduated with honors gaining valuable experience in the world of vocal and group performing by learning from such talents as Lisa Thorson, Dale Pfieffer, Jeff Ramsey and Livingston Taylor. With over a decade of teaching experience in vocal and instrumental lessons, Trina is able to create a fun, inspirational, and truly educational experience for students of all levels. From vocal technique and song study, to overall musicianship and songwriting, Trina helps students explore not only the big picture of singing, but the ins –and- outs of music as a whole. From contemporary music and improvisation, to theatre and audition prep, students can rely on Trina as a warm and experienced professional to help them achieve their musical goals. Trina can be seen singing throughout Boston and the South Shore, and can be heard on many acclaimed professional recordings. Vocal Styles Taught: Pop / Rock / Broadway/ Jazz / Traditional Audition Prep.
SARA DEGRAIDE
Raised in a family of professional musicians, Sara began studying music at a very young age, making it a priority throughout her early and teen years. After private studies, Sara went on to graduate Cum Laude from U.N.C. At Greensboro, on scholarship, earning a B.M. degree focused on Viola Performance under violist Dr. Scott Rawls and achieving piano proficiency. She then continued her graduate studies at the University of Memphis, and finally at the Longy School of Music with violist Paula Majerfeld. A full-time member of the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, Sara plays regularly in large groups in addition to many independent appearances. A compassionate and dedicated teacher, Sara shares her relevant musical talents, insight and techniques with students of all ages.
NICHOLAS SVIZZERO
A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston, Nick received his Bachelor of Music studying under Timothy McFarland and graduating with honors. Nick’s experience teaching and playing the saxophone family (alto, tenor and soprano) on an advanced and competitive level gives him the edge to prepare rising students for the challenges of solo and group performance, as well as give well rounded fundamental training to beginner students. Nick is also core member of Bosse Studios as well as Bosse Tech and has worked on numerous high-profile projects. His other professional skills include audio recording, videography, photography and design. Combining traditional musical instruction with the technology of today is Nick’s forte. He also holds an MBA from The University of Massachusetts Boston as well.
T.J. MENDILLO
A guitarist since the age of ten, T.J. began his studies in traditional music theory and notation on classical guitar, and was then introduced to new styles such as rock and metal styles shortly afterward. T.J. discovered his calling and passion for Rock guitar, and continued his studies all the way to his college career. An active performer and studio buff, T.J’s guitar skills and talent for studio production helped to secure him at spot at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, where he earned a B.M. in Music Production and Engineering as a principal guitarist. Studying under guitar greats such as Bret Wilmott, Freddie Bryant, and Shaun Michaud, and with renowned MP&E faculty such as Susan Rogers and Prince Charles Alexander, T.J. has had hands-on experience with some of the best guitarists and studio experts anywhere. Joining the BSM faculty to share his love of guitar, and all of its modern styles, T.J. encourages students of all ages to explore the music that drives them. from Indie and alternative, to hard rock and metal, both on the guitar and in the recording studio.
JOHN DALTON
Drummer and teacher, John Dalton is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he studied with Chris Poudrier Jamie Eckert, and Jim Robitaille. He is a regular performer on the Boston scene, as both a sideman and the leader of his own group, “John Dalton’s Spheres of Influence”, which has played in various venues, including at the New Bedford Jazz festival. John has been featured in performances from a wide variety of musicians, including Jim Robitaille, Jing Wang and Royal Hartigan. A life-long drummer, his teaching style emphasizes musicality and fun, while also encouraging fluency in a variety of musical styles, drum grooves and rhythms. John shares the passion and joy of making music with students of all ages, and proposes creative ways to get students playing, and keep them motivated while making musical progress. It’s as simple as picking up that first pair of sticks!
KRIS SOMERS
A high honors graduate of Berklee College of Music, guitarist Kris Somers joins the BSM staff with a multitude of experience. Specializing in contemporary and classic rock music, Kris has 20 years of teaching know-how to rely on. As a singer and guitar composer, Kris has released multiple solo records and has toured the U.S., making waves from Hollywood to Boston, where he is currently collaborating with Grammy award winning producer Paul Santo. As a teacher, Kris works with each student to assess individual needs and goals. Combining music theory, technical guitar skills, improvisation, songwriting, and live performance makes Kris’s lessons fun and ever-interesting. With extensive knowledge of both live performing and modern studio recording, Kris provides a multi-faceted foundation for his guitar students to build upon. Whether the goals is to record a demo, play live, or even join a band, Kris can help you get there.
BRYAN EYBERG
Bryan Eyberg is a pianist, keyboardist and experienced singer. He holds a B.A in Music from Simpson College and a Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Michigan. Bryan has studied piano with Dr. Robert Larsen, Dr. Louis Nagel and Anton Nel, and Doug Buys at the New England Conservatory. He has also studied vocal accompanying with the renowned Martin Katz and composition with Bright Sheng. An experienced performer, Bryan has performed in many classical recitals throughout the U.S. and is a current member of the New. England Touring act “Best Not Broken”, who have opened for both the Gin Blossoms and Jefferson Starship as of late. As the group’s keyboardist, Bryan has played on the Vans Warped Tour, and has been nominated for two “Hollywood Music in Media” Awards. As a teacher, Bryan aims to build on solid traditional foundations in techniques and reading while adding repertoire from various genres (classical, theatrical, contemporary and pop) to acknowledge each student’s particular musical interests and tastes. Creating a fun and inspiring learning environment has been a top priority for Bryan as he’s conducted lessons with students of all ages for the past fifteen years.
ZACH SACCO
Zach was introduced to percussion through his school’s band program and quickly found his calling in music, going on to earn his A.A. Degree in Orchestral Percussion Performance at Schenectady County Community College, then his B.A. in Music Business Management from Berklee College of Music in 2016. Upon relocating to Austin, TX, Zach performed, toured, recorded, and taught professionally while managing his original progressive rock group Chronologist (who’s work was featured on similar playlists to members of Dream Theater, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and others of the like). Today, Zach continues to perform with artists across many genres including Jazz, Fusion, Pop, Hip-Hop/R&B, Funk, Rock, Metal, Country, Blues, Latin and World, Orchestral, and Theatrical. Zach aims to help students find their own voices on the drum set, guiding their personal discovery and practice of music to fit into their lives as a source of enjoyment and creativity.
CHRISTIANA GOSLIN
Having earned a Bachelor of Music in Applied Voice from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, Christiana utilizes her background in dance, cultural exchange, language-learning and twelve years of classical voice training to foster a holistic learning environment. During her studies, she developed extensive performing experience in the areas of musical theatre, opera, recital as well as choral settings; and has taken Vocal Pedagogy under leading pedagogues. Instructing from a natural approach to singing, Christiana focuses on breath and body work, technical exercises to increase range, agility and vocal health, and also explores acting tips and techniques. Her desire for every lesson is to help students love the learning process while achieving a healthier approach to their goals. Christiana is currently completing her Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA.
Guest Faculty
NORMAN BROWN
Grammy award-winning contemporary Jazz/R&B superstar Norman Brown has sold over 2 million albums in his extraordinary career and virtually lives at the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts. His charisma and versatility afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with a cross-section of Jazz & R&B superstars including George Benson, Brian McKnight, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Chante’ Moore, Jeff Lorber, Peabo Bryson, Boney James, Miki Howard, and Gerald Albright. Jazz Times Magazine touts him as “a culmination of Jimi Hendrix and George Benson with some of Wes Montogmery thrown in.” Allmusic raves that Brown is “one of contemporary jazz’s brightest lights...a master player and improviser.” Udiscover Music named him one of the top “50 Best Jazz Guitarists Of All Time.”
STEVE LANGONE
For the past twenty five years, Steve has been performing in clubs, festivals and recording studios. His versatility has allowed him to work in many different genres of music. Some of the artists Steve has performed and recorded with include :George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Greg Osby, Rufus Reid, Miguel Zenon, Donny McCaslin, Jason Palmer, The NDR Bigband, Mike Renzi, Claudio Roditi, David Hazeltine, Gray Sargent, Bill Pierce, Luis Perdomo, Antonio Sanchez, Howard Alden, Leo Genovese, Helio Alves, Herb Pomeroy, Kevin Harris, John Lockwood, Oscar Stagnaro, Anat Cohen, Avishai Cohen, Frank Lacy, Claudio Ragazzi, Diego Urcola, Shawn Monteiro, Rebecca Paris, Dominique Eade, Mili Bermejo, Suede, Greg Piccolo (Heavy Juice and Room Full of Blues), Luciana Souza,
LIL JOHN ROBERTS
A highly sought-after drummer, John “Lil’ John” Roberts thrives in the industry as the ultimate heartbeat. John, native of Philadelphia, quickly became noted as a child prodigy playing alongside Christian McBride and Joey Defranceso at the age 16. The trio was part of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, a project created and directed by Wynton Marsalis, comprised of the country’s 22 best young jazz musicians. Under full scholarship at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in 1991, John studied for 2 years and started his touring career with Hip Hop Artists DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Will Smith). From there, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he started recording and touring with Dionne Farris, Xscape, Monica, The Goodie MOB, and Joi. At the request to fill in for Jonathan Moffet, John began touring with Janet Jackson at the age of 23 and continued to tour with her for two decades.His extensive list of credits include work with: B.B. King, Common, Dave Chappelle (Juke Joint Tour), Earth, Wind & Fire, Elton John, Joss Stone, Jamie Foxx, Janet Jackson (Janet Tour, Velvet Rope Tour, Rock Witchu Tour, Unbreakable World Tour, and State of the World Tour), Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, Prince, Queen Latifah, Quincy Jones, Snoop Dogg and Stevie Wonder (Songs in the Key of Life tour) among others.
PETER BERNSTEIN
Jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in numerous recordings and
performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has released nine albums and a DVD. As a sideman Peter has appeared in groups led by Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson, George Coleman, Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Fathead Newman, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Diana Krall, Lee Konitz, Jimmy Cobb and many more. Current projects include his album, Monk, with Doug Weiss and Bill Stewart, a recently released solo record, Solo Guitar – Live at Smalls, and the highly acclaimed organ trio with organist Larry Goldings and drummer Bill Stewart.
JIM ROBITAILLE
Guitarist and award winning composer, Jim Robitaille, has performed and or recorded and shared the bill with jazz greats Dave Liebman, Karl Berger, Bob Moses, Joe Beck, Gerry Gibbs, Santi Debriano, Julian Lage, Esperanza Spalding, Oscar Stagnaro, Vic Juris, Kate McGarry, Eric Wyatt, Pop singer Billy Gilman, and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, and has appeared on 30 recordings and documentary films including “To Music”, and “A View From Within” on WCS with the Jim Robitaille Group featuring NEA Jazz master Dave Liebman. His latest release on WCS with the Jim Robitaille Trio is called Space Cycles.
ADAM RODGERS
A native New Yorker, Adam Rogers has been the guitarist of choice for an array of the some of the greatest names and in jazz, pop and world music: Michael Brecker, Joe Jackson, Cassandra Wilson, Walter Becker, Chris Potter, John Zorn, The Gil Evans Orchestra, The Mingus Orchestra, Norah Jones, Paul Simon, John Patitucci, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, George Coleman, Ravi Coltrane, Brian Blade, Kenny Barron, Marcus Miller, Regina Carter, Phillip Bailey, Christian Mcbride and Billy Childs to name just a few. He has appeared on over Two Hundred albums and toured extensively as a leader and sideman throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South America, The Middle East and Russia. He has been singled out for praise in Downbeat, The New York Times, The Boston globe, The Village Voice, Jazz Times, Jazziz, Newsweek, Jazz Hot, All about Jazz and The Chicago Sun Times, among numerous other periodicals worldwide.
NORWOOD PEARSON
Norwood Pearson is an educator and guitarist out of Greater Boston. Norwood holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Music Education degree from Gordon College, and an Autism Specialist Master of Education degree from Cambridge College. As a guitarist, he has performed and given clinics internationally, including Hong Kong, Brazil, India, and Nepal. Performance venue credits include the Mohegan Sun Arena, Harvard University, and the famous Rainbow Room in NYC. Artist credits include The Platters, Peaches & Herb, The Drifters, The Coasters, Dolores “La La” Brooks, Hana Kahn, Beast Of Nod, lovelesslust, and The Eugeneration Project.