Dedicated. Inspiring. Energetic.
Band Gig’s music instructors are all college graduates with many years of teaching experience. They are highly motivated, regularly performing professional musicians. Our instructors are the most dedicated, inspiring and energetic in the area.
NICK VECCHIO
Band Gig founder, Guitar, Bass & Ukulele Instruction
Meet Nick here. Watch video
High School: Xaverian Brothers High School Westwood, MA. College: Berklee College of Music, B.A. in Music, Music Production and Engineering. 1993-2000: Staff Member Fine Arts Department Xaverian Brothers High School. 1991-Present: Teaching Guitar/ Bass at Daddy’s Junky Music Dedham, MA. 1996-2010: Program Director National Music Workshop
Nick wrote the popular book “Beginning Guitar for Adults” available with CD or DVD. He received a U.S. Patent for “Crib Note” teaching method.
MIKE GOODSPEED
Bass & Guitar Instruction
Meet Mike here. Watch video
Mike Goodspeed is a graduate of UMass Lowell’s music program. As a member of both original and cover groups, Mike has performed and recorded all over New England in many styles including jazz, hard rock, and musical theater. His original music is available on ITunes and he has composed music for the Bose Corporation for use in a national ad campaign. Mike has been teaching for the National Music Workshop for 9 years and enjoys helping students reach their goals, whether it’s preparing for a college audition or writing their own material.
ANNA FREITAS
Guitar Instruction
Meet Anna here. Watch video
1990-1995 B.A. in Music from Berklee College of Music Boston, MA. 1997-2000 Lead guitarist for the funk/rock group Dr. Overseer. 2000-present Performing my original material throughout New England.
I have been studying guitar since 1989, and performing consistently since 1996. As a result of my college level studies, I am able to help students with the academic aspects of music such as theory, and reading. I have helped many students prep for college. My performance experience has enabled me to prepare students for real life situations as a performing musician. For example, knowing how to communicate when you are part of a group, stage presence, improvisation, and songwriting.
The most rewarding thing about teaching is the experience of watching the student improve. Learning guitar has its challenges. It’s such a great feeling when the patience and the practice pays off, things start to click, and the student grows as a player. Also, knowing that you have helped to open up and encourage an interest in music for a student, whatever direction it may take, is a positive thing in itself.
BERNARD BIRGENHEIER
Ensemble, Guitar & Bass Instruction
Meet Bernie here. Watch video
Bernard Birgenheier has been playing guitar for 30 years and teaching guitar and bass for 18 years. In 2002, he graduated from Berklee College of Music, SUMMA CUM LAUDE, with dual Bachelor Degrees in Guitar Performance and Film Scoring. He has worked as a session guitarist/bassist & producer in studios from NY to Boston. He is the proprietor of the J.P. Guitar Conservatory and Elision studio. He is endorsed by In Tune Guitar Picks, GHS strings, TC Electronics & Mills Acoustics.
PATRICK FAHERTY
Ensemble, Guitar & Bass Instruction
Meet Pat here. Watch video
College: Berklee College of Music Boston, MA (Full Scholarship), Magna Cum Laude
Outstanding Achievements: Played the grand opening of Shreve, Crump and Lowe in Boston along with Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith. Played a commencement ceremony for world renowned percussionist Sheila E. Played the 2008 Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation Gala. Had his original piano piece “A Day In The Life of Tom Cruise” played by professor Marti Epstein as part of the 2006 “Best of Traditional Harmony” Concert at Berklee.
PETER WESTAD
Guitar & Bass Instruction
Meet Pete here. Watch video
Bachelor of Arts from Berklee College of Music. Peter studied privately with reowned music educator Charlie Banacos and has performed and recorded with bands throughout the New England area.
He has been teaching private guitar and bass lessons at Daddy’s Junky Music since 1998.
MARTIN BERNERT
Drum Instruction
Meet Martin here. Watch video
College: Berklee College of Music, Magna Cum Laude
1995-Present: Private Studios: Fenway, West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain. In Home Lessons: Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, Dover
1996-1998: Teacher, Antonelli’s Music, Medford
1997-Present: Teacher for National Music Workshop/ Making Music with Daddy’s, Dedham
2003: Campus Director for Day Jams Summer Music Camp, Boston
2009-Present: Teacher, Band Gig, Norwood
Outstanding Achievements: 2000 Teacher of the Year, National Music Workshop. Performances and Tours in Europe, Asia, U.S. and Canada
MICHAEL HOWE
Piano & Keyboard Instruction
Meet Michael here. Watch video
College: A.F.A Champlain College of Burlington, VT, B.A. in performance Berklee College of Music Boston, Ma.
Michael’s credits include live performances and recordings with numerous groups covering many genres including rock, jazz, hip hop and secular music. He if fluent in Spanish and Portuguese from his extensive studies in South America. Michael accepts students of all ages and skill levels, and will design a lesson plan specifically suited for each students needs and time constraints.
MICHELA GARDNER
Vocal Instruction
Meet Michela here. Watch video
College: Berklee College of Music, B.A. in Vocal Performance
Outstanding Achievements: While attending Berklee I taught vocal lessons to Boston Public School student’s through Berklee’s City Music mentorship program
JEN KEARNEY
Voice & Piano Instruction
Meet Jen here. Watch video
Jen Kearney is a professional musician with over 15 years of performance experience. She has written and released 3 self-produced albums with her band The Lost Onion and continues to tour and perform. Jen attended Umass Lowell as a Music Performance major and has been teaching piano and voice since 2004 and has also assisted students in songwriting, arranging, and performance. Jen believes music should be fun and motivating. She teaches theory, technique and ear training, but incorporates material that will motivate the individual student to apply those techniques using their own personal style.
JOSHUA BEETLER
Ensemble, Guitar, Bass and Piano Instruction
Meet Josh here. Watch video
Umass Lowell Graduate in Music Performance. Studied with Jon Wheatley, guitar chairman at Berklee and UMass Lowell.Josh Beetler has always found himself moving to a rhythm. He has always found song in life and always strived to turn life into a song. Josh has played with a wide variety of ensembles including funk band Nemesis at the yearly “Stepping Out” fundraiser at the Dimock Center, Boston Artist of the Year “MDOT”, national bluesgrass act “Hot Day At The Zoo,” jazz quartet “The Udsville Growlers,” metal sensations “Manifest” and “Hetfield and Hetfield” and the list continues. He is currently teaching, composing and performing his solo acoustic guitar looping show around the Boston area.
