Bios
Meet Our Educators
Voice, Piano, Trumpet, Flute, Music Theory
Derek Waldron is a classically trained musician who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Classical Voice from Western Connecticut State University. He began composing original pieces in high school and has self produced multiple albums, all of which are available on iTunes.
Derek has been teaching in different capacities for over 10 years. He is the Director of Music at Oak Grove Montessori School in Mansfield, CT, grades Pre-K through 6. That’s where he began composing pieces specific to the needs of his students which led to the creation of Winterium, a show catering to the growing minds of children.
Derek has played venues such as Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den Theater, Foxwoods’ Fox Theater, The Palace Theater in Waterbury, Toad’s Place in New Haven, Bushnell Theater in Hartford, CT and has also performed in China, Jamaica, England, and Egypt.
Derek Won 96.5 TIC’s Connecticut Idol and was featured on CT Channel 3 Eye Witness News for his original song, I Will Run, dedicated to the events at the Boston Marathon.
Derek currently sings and plays the piano with two bands; Crazy On You – A Tribute To Heart and Lawnchair on Mars.
Piano, Percussion, Ukulele, Music for Children
Voice, Piano, Woodwinds, Audition & Theatre Coaching
Ms. Fisher has been a member of the teaching community since 2004, when she began taking on her first private students. She has since expanded her practice to include directing the prestigious Entertainers theatre program at Timothy Edwards Middle School, as well as being the Music Director of C.A.S.T. children’s theatre in Manchester, a program which includes over a hundred students each summer.
Ms. Fisher attended the Boston Conservatory with a concentration in Vocal Performance. Carolyn enjoys performing in many capacities; she has held leading roles in various productions including at the Spirit of Broadway Theater (world premiere), Little Theatre of Manchester, and Theatre Newington OnStage. In addition, Ms. Fisher has sung with the Boston Pops on their Winter tour throughout New England. She also accompanies musicals as a member of pit orchestras. Her experiences include over a decade of dance training, as well as extensive training in flute, guitar, music theory and acting.
Brass, Piano, Jazz Theory, Composition
Keenan is a trumpet and piano player, composer and educator from Hartford, Connecticut. He received his Undergraduate Degree from Western Connecticut State University in Jazz Trumpet Performance in 2014, and Spring of 2023 received his Masters Degree in Jazz Composition from Umass Amherst. In his hiatus from school, Keenan spent his time performing in several different projects around New England and New York, spanning many different genres and styles. Currently Keenan plays keyboard and trumpet a five piece funk/soul band called Nikita, and leads his own small jazz group on trumpet. Both groups feature his original compositions and arrangements. Aside from these projects, Keenan works as a freelance musician in various cover bands and weddings bands.
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Mandolin, Banjo, Cello
Jaron is a local guy who loves to play music and work with beginning string players of all kinds. He was worked with dozens of students of all backgrounds in private and group lessons, and also records under the name garon.gaia. Check out his music on the streaming platform of your choice!
Violin, Viola, Cello, Music for Children
Jennifer Owen has been playing the cello since the young age of 8 and started violin in college as a music major. She has been teaching violin, cello, and viola for over 20 years now and loves sharing her passion for music with everyone. She specializes in fiddling and is the music director for the Old Fiddlers Club of Rhode Island.
Percussion, Drum Set
Bryn is a rock drummer and educator from Mansfield, Connecticut. He started playing
drums at the age of 11, and was playing professionally by the age of 16. His teenage years were spent tirelessly writing and playing original music with Rivers Cuomo of future Weezer fame. Immediately after graduating from E.O. Smith High School, they jumped in a van loaded with music gear and left the quiet town of Mansfield to pursue their dreams on the busy Sunset Strip in Hollywood.
Eventually Bryn’s musical pursuits resulted in projects with members of Quiet Riot, Ace Frehley, W.A.S.P., and several other 80s rock artists. Bryn spent many years touring the northeastern U.S. playing large venues with Believer, “the world’s best” tribute (MTV) to the music of Ozzy Osbourne. During this time, he toured the rest of the
country and appeared on VH-1’s “Celebrity Fit Club” with Jani Lane of multi-platinum band Warrant, playing their Top-10 hits “Cherry Pie,” “I Saw Red,” and “Heaven.”
Today, Bryn still performs every weekend throughout the northeastern U.S. with many talented musicians such as world-renowned guitar phenomenon Jimi Bell. Having
taught drums for over three decades to students both young and old, Bryn appreciates diverse learning styles and makes every effort to connect with students’ personal interests and abilities. Everyone can play
Recording Artist, Instruction in Audio & Acoustics, Recording, Electronics Theory, Electronic Repair, Continuum Fingerboard
Having worked with artists such as Peter Tork & Shoe Suede Blues, Michael DiMucci, Still Pickin’, and others, we are thrilled to have John as our primary recording artist. Spending much of his lift as a sound technician and radio broadcaster, John’s teaching skills will enhance any student’s education in sound and radio. Visit JohnSchwenk.com for full credits and more information.