Our Staff

Scott graduated Western Connecticut State University for Music Performance in Jazz/Classical Guitar. He transferred to the snowy mountains of Fort Collins, CO in 1993 and continued in music exploring Music Education as well as Music Therapy. He spent 8 years of playing solo before feeling truly comfortable to play with other well versed players. Upon […]

Thomas Roberts is a recent graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he pursued a Bachelors of Music in Classical Percussion Performance. He is seasoned in performing professionally in symphony orchestras and rock bands and everything in between on both drum set and classical percussion. Thomas has a deep passion for music education, having taught […]

Nick is a multi-instrumentalist with a focus on the double bass. After starting out on violin, Nick developed an interest in the drums and electric bass. Eventually he chose the double bass as his main instrument and earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Bass at Ithaca College. Since graduating, Nick has performed in swing […]

Jonathan Weiss is a composer, pianist, and teacher based in New Haven, CT. When he was seven, his mom gave him a Casio piano keyboard for Christmas, and he couldn’t stop teaching himself tunes by ear and creating ideas of his own. Since then, his passion for musical discovery has carried him through many adventures. […]

Christian Winter is a musician from Southbury Connecticut, with a focus on piano, guitar, and voice. They have been making music for 10+ years, and in the process have amassed a collection of folk instruments ranging from ukulele to mandolin to banjo to kalimba to ocarina and more. Their style of focus on guitar is […]

Madeline Winters is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist from Monroe, CT. She grew up honing her skills in saxophone, clarinet, and voice in both jazz and classical settings, and was selected for various regional and national programs. Some of these include the Jazz at Lincoln Center High School Academy, the NAfME All National Honor Choir, and […]

Brenden Castro is a drummer and instructor from Stratford, CT. At 24 years old, he has been playing drums and percussion instruments since the age of 9. Beginning his journey in the public school system, Brenden played in the Bunnell High School Drumline for five years (starting in 8th grade). He went on to study […]

David Alvarez III is a jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and educator with a rich and diverse musical background. Introduced to the drum set at the age of five, David grew up playing in church and began his formal musical education at nine in Michigan. His jazz education started through The Arts League of Michigan’s summer […]

Ryan Papagelis is a multi-instrumentalist and composer currently residing in Bethel, CT. Primarily a saxophonist, Ryan discovered his love for music as a teenager after being exposed to the rich tradition of the Hartford jazz scene. Studying under renowned saxophonists Mike Casey and Dr. Carl Knox throughout High School, Ryan proceeded to attend Western Connecticut […]

Maureen Zahara has been a public school music educator for over 20 years, and a private lesson music instructor for even longer.  She received her Bachelors from WCSU and Masters in Music Education from UCONN and graduated Magna Cum Laude.  She is an accomplished professional musician in many respects – she is a classical pianist, […]

Originally from Northport, NY, tubist Charlie Mann has performed around the world, at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Brucknerhaus in Linz, Austria, and the National Performing Arts Center in Beijing. Charlie earned his Bachelor of Music at the University of Michigan, where he was a Penny and Roe Stamps Scholar, […]

Jill Pellett Levine received her BFA from SUNY/Purchase, and her Master of Music and Artist Diploma from the Yale University School of Music. She plays in several orchestras throughout Connecticut including the New Haven Symphony, Bridgeport Symphony and Waterbury Symphony. Jill enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels.

Mark has been a professional trumpet player and music educator for several decades. He has held teaching positions in public and private schools and has taught students ranging in age from kindergarten to college. He has extensive experience as a performer in a variety of ensembles from ranging from small jazz groups, theater pit orchestras […]

Val is a performing artist and music educator, passionate about teaching and playing music. He plays multiple instruments, such as piano, guitar, accordion, baritone ukulele, harmonica, mandolin, and banjo. He received his bachelor’s degree in music performance and music education from Dnipro Conservatory of Music in Ukraine. Since moving to the United States in 2001, […]

Ms. Rich is thrilled to be celebrating over 30 years of piano instruction. She earned her degree from Niagara University and completed coursework at the Hartt School of Music. Ms. Rich has been involved as a musical theater director for such performances as, “The Sound of Music,” “The Music Man,” “The Wiz,” “Promises, Promises,” “Alice […]

Ms. Pellegrino has been teaching privately for over 24 years. She has completed courses in music and early childhood education at Sacred Heart University as well as Gateway Community College. She has over 20 years of formal study of the piano and music theory. Ms. Pellegrino has extensive experience teaching children with special needs.

Jamie Finegan has been a music educator for over 20 years. He is a composer and multi instrumentalist playing trumpet and piano. He is currently an adjunct professor at Fairfield University. His professional playing credits are myriad and diverse having recorded, toured and performed all over the world, with many great jazz and blues artists […]

Mr. Wilkinson began playing the piano at age 5. He studied with several formidable teachers and eventually presented recitals at the Julliard School. He has been teaching since 1992, and joined Creative Music Center in 2003.

Mrs. Hynes holds a Masters of Music degree in Voice Pedagogy and Performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. She also graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. Her fluency in French awarded her a minor in French Language and Literature. Principal teachers include Dr. Scott McCoy, President of […]

Francesco Perrouna is a disciplined and dedicated guitarist based out of Fairfield Connecticut. He is a recent graduate of Hampshire College, with a degree in Jazz Studies. Francesco trained primarily on the bass guitar; he also plays acoustic guitar and ukulele, as well as piano and drums. He worked previously at the Fairfield School of […]

Mary Larson has been teaching flute at Creative Music for over 10 years. She is dedicated to working with students of all levels to reach their musical goals on the flute through an informed, patient, fun, and encouraging method of teaching. Her students have placed in the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestra, Western Regional Band and […]

Hailing from Bridgeport, CT, Kenny Owens was raised on Rock n’ Roll, Funk, Folk, Classic Soul, Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, & the Blues. Kenny has been teaching privately for over 20-years & caters to each individual, be they advanced or beginner. He places an emphasis on fundamentals (such as, technique, time, coordination, reading), but also […]

Mr. Judd is an Emmy-nominated composer that has been teaching guitar since 1993. He performs frequently throughout New England with his jazz trio and as a sideman. Mr. Judd has recorded 3 jazz albums, 4 blues play-along albums, and written an instructional book entitled “Guitar Competence.” He has worked as a music transcriber for Jazz […]

A resident of Port Chester, New York, Anthony Pellegrini has been involved in musical activities since the age of eight when he started playing the clarinet in elementary school. After taking up the saxophone in high school, Pellegrini quickly fell in love with jazz and went on to attend Western Connecticut State University with a […]