Ensemble
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John Pierce, Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department"I continually point out the way that ear training relates to other classes. I feel that those correlations are an integral part of the education at Berklee—that the classes all fit together and complement each other. Success in an ear training class will make them far more successful as harmony students, as arranging students, and as performers. In general, ear training will make them a more a literate musician. It will enable them to hear what they see, write what they hear, and play what they hear."
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Ron Mahdi, Associate Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department"A great ensemble player comes from different angles. You have several options of doing things so you don’t get bored and so others don’t get bored with your response to what’s coming at you. It’s like saying the same thing over and over when you’re having a conversation."
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Lello Molinari, Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department"As a teacher I believe in producing a constant creative environment, where the students can feel free to experiment without the fear of failure. I find that the fear of failure is a common and recurring issue with musicians of all levels of proficiency. But you not only learn from your mistakes, you can use them. I often play examples of the masters, like Coltrane or Miles Davis, playing what you'd technically call 'mistakes,' to show students how quickly they can turn into a musical positive. That can be very liberating."
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David Hollender, Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department"I've always appreciated the fact that Berklee accepts students with high potential and the right attitude, not just who's the hottest player. Five-string banjo was my first instrument, but when I decided to apply to Berklee as a student they didn't teach it, so I had to play another instrument. I had recently started playing bass, and it felt like going back to square one as a player, but I was motivated and determined. My teachers recognized that and helped me to make fast progress. Now, as a teacher I enjoy working with students who share those qualities."
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Rebecca Cline, Assistant Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department"I teach a broad mix of classes in both the Ensemble Department, which includes the Performance Studies curriculum, and the Piano Department. I teach Intro to Latin Jazz, Rhythm Section Ensemble, Standard Jazz Repertoire 1, Jazz Improvisation Techniques 1, and Basic Keyboards 1. I also have several piano students for Private Instruction. I like to provide a context for any subject that I teach. I teach two labs (Afro-Cuban Piano Montunos and Improv in Cuban Piano), which are ostensibly for developing skills for playing in this style. I give a lot of practical information and transcriptions, but I also talk as much as I can about the historical and cultural context of the music."
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Walter Beasley, Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department"I think students come to Berklee for many of the same reasons. They find role models they can identify with. Our job is to provide the fundamental training for young musicians to succeed in the world they live in."
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Herman Hampton, Associate Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department"I've learned so much since I finished school and college. Though they both supplied the tools of learning, the real teacher was life itself. That shapes how I teach my ensembles at Berklee."
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Neal Itzler, Assistant Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department- B.M., Berklee College of Music
- Full-time performer in metropolitan Boston and New York City areas
- Appearances with Phil Collins, the Drifters, Noel Redding, Neil Sedaka, Najee, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, and Layla Hathaway
- Recently released After Hours, a CD with band Myanna
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Larry Watson, Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department"As a veteran performer, I am able to simulate for students what is expected of them as professional musicians. My success, and the success of those I have taught, is based more on strong organizational skills, effective conflict resolution skills, and prudence and intelligence about the manner in which you display your musical and creative talents."
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Bruce Nifong, Professor
DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department"Every student has this gift within them, but they may have difficulty expressing their gift. So, starting with the idea that students need help finding that mode of expression, we help them connect with teachers who really have a passion for helping the students find their inner voice."
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