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 Bruce Treidel, founder and director of Bethel Music Center, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. Mr. Treidel has been teaching music since 1972. Throughout college he played in several bands and performed locally in order to supplement his college experience. Upon graduation from the University of Bridgeport, Bruce went on the road with the Heavy Weather Band touring the East Coast. From 1981 – 1984 Mr. Treidel taught public school for the Easton-Redding system, as a Music Director for the Redding Elementary School. In November of 1984, Bethel Music Center was opened and Bruce’s life long dream of establishing a music education center began with the 40 private students of all ages and levels he was teaching. Over the years he has developed a unique perspective that offers his students the benefit of a truly individualized and enjoyable experience.
Jeremy Alston
Drums
 Jeremy Alston has studied drums with Joe Morello and Eddie Kane. He has a wealth of experience performing both locally and on the road, touring with a southern rock band and playing in Nashville with the Texas Outlaw Band. Additionally he has done studio work with various bands. Jeremy’s current project is Music From the Heart, a band that performs at nursing homes, which he describes as a very rewarding and worthwhile experience. He hopes to keep busy in music by creating a CD of new and innovative music and putting together a group of his own.
“It’s a very rewarding sense of accomplishment when a song comes together or a gig goes well. I think I can help [my students] from my failures and my successes that I’ve had in music. Also I learn from my students, whose input is very important to me.”
Jessica Bardelli
Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Piano
 Jessica has been teaching music for ten years. She currently teaches saxophone, flute, clarinet, and beginning piano. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from WCSU and has completed course work in adolescent psychology. In 2008, she developed a music program used in 2 pre-schools in Charlotte, NC, where she lived for 2 years. Jessica has been studying at or working for Bethel Music Center for nearly 20 years, and is the current Director of Sales and School Services for BMC. She believes that given a positive, encouraging environment, any student can gain the confidence and skill that comes with learning a musical instrument.
“I've always loved every aspect of music – listening, playing, teaching, and learning. Music bridges the gap of generations – I have taught all ages from 3 to 77. They all come away with an experience that they can carry with them for life. It’s the best feeling in the world to know that you had a hand in that.”
Jessica is a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, and is continuing to play in churches, weddings, and community ensembles. She is a member of the Dead Durango Horn Section and plays with Crosstown, a rock cover band, regularly. When not at BMC, Jessica is an avid reader, loves to cook, and travels to Charlotte, NC (Go Panthers!) whenever she can.
Roberta Capelli
Piano, Voice, Woodwinds (Clarinet, Saxophones, Flute, Piccolo and Oboe) and Beginning Guitar
 Roberta received her degree in music from the prestigious Hartt School of Music. After graduating she became a professional member of the Worcester Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts playing flute and piccolo, as well as a music educator in the Grafton, MA public school system. Roberta married and moved to Connecticut where she became a stay-at-home mom. After returning to the work force as a substitute teacher, she found a niche teaching
instrumental classes in several area schools, as well as for BMC.
“I am really enjoying a steady schedule with BMC woodwind and keyboard students, and am especially excited about the jazz accompaniment program and the technical support of the BMC staff.”
Michelle Davies
Flute, Piano, Oboe, Saxophone and Clarinet
 Michelle Davies graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a degree in Music Education with a concentration in flute. She performed on flute as a soloist as well as in bands and orchestras. Most recently, Michelle traveled to Scotland on an Orchestral Tour performing with the American Chamber Orchestra. Michelle has been teaching privately for seven years and has been teaching at BMC since fall 2007. She loves teaching, and wants to share her enjoyment of and appreciation for music with as many people as possible. She is currently seeking a job as a band director in a public school system and wishes to continue performing with orchestras both home and abroad.
“I tell my young students that music is a challenge we’ve chosen to accept because it is a special and unique experience that only a few people get to take part in. And it is so much FUN!”
Sarah DeShan
Piano
 Sarah holds her B.A. from Barnard College, where she studied Urban Studies and Music. She has experience playing for various groups, ensembles and theatrical productions and accompanying vocal and instrumental soloists. After graduating Sarah spent two years in Mauritania, West Africa. She has been teaching piano here at Bethel Music Center since her return to the U.S., and she is currently BMC’s Music Education Coordinator. Her future goals are to continue playing, teaching, and learning music for as long as possible!
“After living in a place without all the musical amenities we have here in America, I am SO excited to be teaching and playing again! I love being able to share my love and appreciation for music with my students, be they 5 or 85!”
Greg Hoyt
Percussion
 Greg Hoyt currently attends Western Connecticut State University studying Music Education and Percussion under Mr. David Smith. Greg has been studying percussion for 10 years and has studied with Ben Toth of the Hartt School and Jeff Calissi of Eastern Connecticut State University. Greg has played with many orchestras in Connecticut and New York and hopes in the future to play in a professional orchestra.
Grekim Jennings
Guitar, Bass and Percussion
 Grekim Jennings gained much of his musical knowledge at a very early age through the tutelage of his parents, both of whom are pianists with extensive record collections. He continued to study drums through high school and went on to study at Fairfield University with Brian Torff. During these years he focused on jazz drumming and jazz guitar. He started teaching private lessons in 1996, while incorporating music theory, songwriting, and other advanced techniques. Since opening his own recording studio, Acoustic Refuge, in 2000, Grekim has appeared as a guest musician on the albums of many local artists.
John Larson
Guitar, Ukulele, Electric Bass, Upright Bass, and Low Brass
 John Larson is an instructor with an emphasis on Classical, Jazz, Rock, Blues, Music Theory and Composition. He studied music at William Paterson University and Central Connecticut State University where he majored in Trombone and Music Composition. He was principal trombone a William Paterson University and Central Connecticut State University. In addition to his credentials, John was selected twice for the American Musical Ambassadors, Western Regional Band and Southern and All New England Bands.
In his 5 years of professional gigging, John has played with Mary Travers (Peter, Paul, and Mary), the Misfits and Saliva. He has been offered spots on bass and trombone in the top bands for the United States Air Force, Army, and Marine Bands. In 2003 he was offered a spot on Bass in the Tito Puente Orchestra. John’s future plans include touring and performing original music in a rock band.
“Growing up with music teachers for parents, music has been an integral part of my life. Ever since I was born, music has been my life-blood and I could not imagine living without it. It’s an exhilarating experience when you see the look of pure joy on a child’s face after they’ve just mastered something you showed them, something they previously thought impossible.”
Eric Laursen
Guitar, Bass, and Beginning Piano
 Eric Laursen is an instructor trained in guitar and bass. He received his Bachelor’s of Music from WCSU, where he served as Jazz Club President. He has performed with the likes of Jimmy Greene, Rufus Reid and had an arrangement of his performed by the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Eric continues to perform regularly in venues across Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts and has made a group of his own to perform original music as a means to live by.
"love the focus on ‘the moment’ that music creates and the self-awareness that comes through learning. I would like to keep the music ‘alive’ by passing along the knowledge I have, to give others the opportunity to grow as a person through music and to help my students achieve what they want musically. Music is timeless and I want to contribute to an ever-lasting art.”
Randy Newbury
Guitar, Bass
 Randy Newbury holds a BA in Music from WCSU with a focus on classical guitar. He has performed in multiple classical and jazz guitar ensembles, and has been playing in bands since he was 15, covering genres from funk to folk. Randy is currently gigging with his rock band, Forget Paris, and hopes to one day pursue his master’s degree in performance or education.
“Being able to create something that is not only a joy to play, but can move others is why I am a musician. Connecting with an audience is an experience like no other, and showing others how to do it is even more incredible! Seeing your students progress because of what you have taught them is very rewarding.”
 Albert Norasing studied music and music industry at both UNH and WCSU. He is trained in classical and jazz guitar with a focus on The Blues. He was a member of MEISA, the Music Entertainment and Industry Student Association, for two years taking part in planning concerts and music education seminars. He has been teaching at Bethel Music Center for two years and has six years of gigging experience. His future goals in music are to learn tenor saxophone and to compose music.
“Music has always been the best way for me to express myself because it tends to make sense when all other logic fails. My jazz teacher is the most influential person in my music career, and I feel if I can influence the next generation of musicians, then I’ve taken the best step I can to change the world of music.”
Connie Ricciardi
Violin, Viola and Cello
Connie Ricciardi studied music at Palm Beach Atlantic University, music business at Manhattanville College, and she is currently studying communications and music at Western Connecticut State University. She has performed in various ensembles, including the Symphony, Early Music Ensemble and Chamber Ensemble at Palm Beach Atlantic University, the WCSU Chamber Strings and Concert Choir, and in Walnut Hill Community Church’s Worship and Arts Department. Connie plans to continue teaching private music lessons at BMC and performing in various ensembles after graduation.
“I love music! I love that it's universal and that you can never stop growing and learning. Music has always been a huge part of my life. My grandparents were both musicians and it's been a passion of mine since elementary school. It's exciting to me to see people get excited about playing and getting to the next step. I love being able to encourage people in getting a little better every week. Being able to share my love of music with people who enjoy it also is so much fun.”
Rick Schwartz
Piano (Jazz and Blues)
 Rick started playing piano in 1959. His parents put him into lessons because he’d been banging on the keys relentlessly since he was about 3. After studying classical piano for 10 years with NY Concert Pianist Amy Hetherlyn, he discovered Rock and Roll in the late 1960s. Joining his first garage band at 12, he played his first gig with a couple of friends at a schoolmate’s party playing Van Morrison’s GLORIA and the McCoy’s HANG ON SLOOPY. As a semi-pro musician since 1968, Rick has played keyboards, guitar and sung in genres ranging from hard rock, disco, old-school jazz, country, R&B and funk. He currently plays solo piano on Friday nights at Café Little Europa in Brookfield. His favorite moments as a performer were his 8 (1998 – 2006) years in the NY Metro band JIGSAWW – an 8-piece funk/R&B band. JIGSAWW was a staple in the showcase clubs in and around Greenwich Village – also playing at the World Trade Center in the summer of 2001. They were featured as the opening act for some great groups such as Blood, Sweat and Tears, Rock-A-Pella, and The Grass Roots.
Sara Smith
Flute and Beginning Piano
Sara Smith recently graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a B.S. in Music Education. During college she performed with the WCSU Orchestra and Wind Ensemble and the Ives Woodwind Quintet. In high school, Sara participated in Western Regional and All State Festivals and was principle flute in the Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra. Her future plans include receiving a master’s degree in music performance, becoming a general music teacher on the elementary level, and to one day perform with a professional orchestra.
“I love hearing musicians perform in the professional orchestral setting, and hope to be apart of something like that one day. I love working with children and being able to share my knowledge with them. When you teach a child something and see that they ‘get it,’ it is one of the best things in the world.”
Hafez Taghavi
Violin, Viola and Cello
 Hafez Thghavi is a string teacher with an emphasis on violin, viola and cello and is currently pursuing his B.A. in Music at WCSU. Hafez has been a performing member of the Maryland All-State Orchestra, National Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the Ives Symphony Orchestra. He is currently concertmaster of the WCSU Symphony Orchestra. Hafez’s plans for the future include playing for a major symphony orchestra as well as pursuing his Masters and Ph.D. in music. He has participated in numerous concerts, workshops, and conferences in Bolivia, Budapest, New York, Washington D.C. and Hawaii.
“I love sharing music with others. Everyone should be given the opportunity to learn music.”
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