Faculty

Monument Square Music School Faculty

Joe Mazzarella

Piano (Jazz, Classical, Rock, Pop) B.M. jazz studies,  New England Conservatory of Music

Joe is a pianist/composer who brings a unique blend of jazz, classical, and pop music to his performances and teaching.  He has played with many bands and as a solo artist in the Worcester and Boston area. Joe has studied privately with Ran Blake, Danilo Perez, Mark Marquis, Frank Carlberg, and Bob Moses. Joe has been teaching private piano lessons for over ten years. Joe’s Website

Chuck Langford

Sax/Flute/Piano University of Massachusetts, New School in New York

Originally from Texarkana, TX, by way of Springfield, MA, Charles L began
playing saxophone at the age of nine. Coming out of a musically rich and
diverse town, which spawned artists such as Phil Woods, Taj Majal and Avery
Sharpe, Charles began his musical training at home with his mother, classical
vocalist Mary L. Prior to reading music, with the instruction of Mary,
Charles learned his favorite saxophone solos note for note, starting with Paul
Desmond’s solo from “A Bridge over Troubled Water.” He began studying with
Harvey LaRose, Phil Wood’s saxophone teacher, at 10.

Charles began playing saxophone professionally at 13. Two years later, Charles
Majeed Greenlee, Dizzy Gillespie’s trombonist and the husband of John Coltrane’s
cousin Mary, became one of Charles’ first mentors. From that point, Charles
began sitting in at every opportunity with one of his most influential teachers,
Archie Shepp. Charles also spent countless hours listening to the musicians who
would become profound influences on his musical growth such as Grover Washington
Jr., David Sanborn, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Kenny G,
Michael Brecker, Stan Getz, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis.

After high school, Charles studied music at the University of Massachusetts at
Amherst with teachers Max Roach, Yusef Lateef, Archie Shepp and Lynn Klock. He
then went to Houston, where he opened for George Benson. Charles continued his
musical study in New York City, attending The New School. He lived in New York
for four years, playing with Melvin Spark’s, Norman Connors, The Temptations,
Hilton Ruiz and Joe Farnsworth while studying with Barry Harris, Donald Byrd and
Billy Harper. Charles was then afforded the opportunity to study privately with
the great George Coleman.

Since completing his formal education, Charles has toured world wide with
artists The Temptations, Solomon Burke, Mighty Sam McClain and Toni Lynn Washington.

Charles now takes his gift of playing saxophone, and the extraordinary education
he has received, into the realm of teaching.

James Morrell

Guitar/bass Berklee College of Music

James’ original guitar style makes him one of the most exciting and creative musicians in New England. James can be found performing locally throughout New England. He has studied with Mark Marquis and attended Berklee College of Music.

Emily Mazzarella

Piano B.A. in Music at Westfield State University

Emily completed her B.A. in music from Westfield State University in 2013 where she studied privately with jazz pianist James Argiro and classical pianist Galina Gertsenzon. She currently performs locally with the Fitchburg-based band TREBEK and enjoys playing piano and organ at weekly church services. Her interests include music composition, production, and improvisation.

Andrew (AJ) Balthazar

Drums

AJ is an experienced drummer and teacher who brings his unique drum styles and eclectic tastes to the Worcester and North Central MA areas . He studied with drum great, Bob Gullotti where he learned how to play jazz, rock, funk and blues.  He has performed and recorded with many bands in the Worcester area including Dusty Miller, Free Grass Movement, and The Stone Clovers.  AJ gives tailored lessons to students of all ages.

Laurie Strubbe

Violin/viola/cello M.M Music Education from University of Miami

Laurie Strubbe has a Masters in Music Education from the University of Miami. She has been teaching cello and violin for over 35 years. She performs with two symphonies as well as various chamber music groups.

Alisha Lopez-Marrero

Trumpet– BA in Music at Umass Amherst

Alisha is a trumpet player that began her journey at the age of 12. Since then she has performed with orchestras, marching bands, big bands and many other settings. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music degree at UMass Amherst (2020) and is very eager to teach students of any age. She enjoys sharing the love of music no matter what genre it may be, especially Latin based music since it resonates with her heritage and roots.