Teachers – Pellegrino's School of Music

Mark Pellegrino – Percussion Instructor

Mark Pellegrino started playing drums at the age of 15, and started teaching when he was 22 years old in his home town of St. Louis. As a teenager he began taking lessons at Drum Headquarters, where he quickly began a lifelong relationship with Dixon Drums Brand Manager, Jim Uding. Fast forward to now, Mark is very honored and excited to be a part of the Dixon Roster! Check them out at playdixon.com

In 1998, Mark received a 2 year certificate in Drumset Performance from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He has studied privately with some of the greats, such as Jim Chapin, Kenny Aronoff, and Dave DiCenso just to name a few. He has toured all over the U.S. playing a wide variety of musical styles. After 3 years of living in Nashville TN where he stayed busy with live and studio work, Mark and his family settled down in Springfield, MO.

In 2006 Mark and his wife Teresa opened Pellegrino’s School of Music and Art to try and create an environment much like what Mark experienced at Berklee, and what Teresa experienced at the Art Institute of Boston. Pellegrino’s school had 10 music lesson rooms, an art lesson studio, and a venue with a fully equipped stage. On June 1st 2020 after being forced to shut down for 2 and a half months due to COVID 19, Mark and Teresa decided to shut the doors of the brick and mortar chapter of Pellegrino’s. They immediately went to online and in person lessons in their home studios without missing a beat. No pun intended!

Mark’s teaching method includes trying to find what motivates the student, and helping them set and develop their goals. If you would like to contact Mark you can reach him at mark@pellegrinosschoolofmusicandart.com.

Mark currently offers online and in-studio lessons for his students!

Bryce Burney – Percussion Instructor

Bryce has been playing drums since 2009 and teaching since 2014. When in high school at Carl Junction, he performed with the All-District band for 4 years and received I-ratings on his solo performances for 4 years as well. He played drums at the University of Arkansas for 3 years in both the Razorback Marching Band and the Hog Wild Basketball Band. While drumming in Arkansas, he played many gigs with whatever groups needed drummers at anywhere from house shows to coffee shops to event entertainment. More recently, he taught 6th grade through high school percussionists at School of the Ozarks in Branson. Bryce is now attending Missouri State University where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Spanish.

Bryce currently only offers online lessons for his students!

Kyle Nachtigal – Guitar Instructor

Kyle’s musical journey has been closely tied to Pellegrino’s School of Music since the school’s grand opening in 2006. As a teenager, Kyle took guitar and vocal lessons with numerous instructors at Pellegrino’s, and performed as a guitarist, singer and bass player in multiple student bands, including the very first student stage band under Mark Pellegrino’s direction. After graduating high school, Kyle auditioned and was accepted into Belmont University’s prestigious guitar program in Nashville, Tennessee, an achievement he credits to the experience he gained during his time at Pellegrino’s.At Belmont, Kyle’s musical training was extensive and wide-ranging. His first two years were spent studying jazz and classical guitar under the rigorous methodology of John Pell. He took advanced classes in ear training, music theory and music history. As a junior, Kyle auditioned and was accepted into Belmont’s competitive songwriting program and spent the subsequent two years studying under professional songwriters including Tom Douglas (Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert) and Drew Ramsey (Jonny Lang, Dave Barnes). Belmont’s songwriting program also included music business classes such as Music Publishing and Copyright Law, as well as recording technology classes where he gained experience with modern digital audio workstations like ProTools and Logic. In 2013, he graduated as a songwriting major with a minor in commercial guitar.

After graduation from Belmont, Kyle remained in Nashville and played guitar in various rock, country, and pop bands. In 2016, he began touring as a solo acoustic act, and has since played over 300 shows at colleges, wineries, house concerts and coffee houses all over the US. He has collaborated often with YouTube phenom Megan Davies and is a winner of the coveted Eddie’s Attic Songwriters Open Mic in Atlanta, GA. He has self-produced a number of projects which can be found on all major streaming platforms under his name.

Kyle currently only offers online lessons for his students!

Kevin Breshears – Bass Guitar Instructor

Kevin Lane has played professionally for over 30 years, which includes 23 as a Bassist and backing vocalist with country music star Mickey Gilley’s Grammy award winning Urban Cowboy Band. With Mickey Gilley, Kevin has playing across the country, on television, numerous love performances in Las Vegas, Branson and other various places. He also backed up other music superstars such as Johnny Lee, Tony Melendez, Moe Bandy, Doug Kershaw, John Schneider, Joann Castle, Mille Walker, and the Lennon Sisters. AS an original member of the Misstakes, an Eighties favorite of the Midwest, Kevin Lane made his start as a fixture of the local music scence. With the Misstakes, he has recorded records, and played in numerous main stage settings (i.e. having played in front of or having “opened up for” bands such as U2, Crowded House, Cheap Trick, Joan Jett, the Ramones, and many others.) Kevin also founded and fronted an R&B, funk-rock group, the Horndawgs. He has served as music director and worship leader at Living Waters Community Church in Nixa, MO from 1998 to 2009. Kevin is an alumnus of the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, California, where he studied Jazz theory and performance, and he has studied music theory at Southwest Missouri State. He uses this experience in teaching private bass and guitar lessons.

Kevin currently offers online and in-studio lessons for his students!

Ryan Hunt – Piano & Vocals Instructor

Ryan has been playing and singing professionally for nearly 30 years. His studies include Kickapoo High School, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and Missouri State University. Ryan grew up in the Ozarks, and has served in many Churches, the Springfield Public School system, the Regional Opera, and various performing opportunities in the local area. He has taught at Pellegrino’s since 2007, and composes many pieces that his students play. Ryan has perfect pitch, and focuses on teaching students how to reach music, but also how to further playing by ear. His passion is to see students reach their musical potential through hard rock and determination.

Ryan currently offers online and in-studio lessons for his students!

Emily Estes Bailey – Piano & Vocals Instructor

Emily’s love of music started at a young age. She began voice lessons at the age of 8 and continued through high school. Prior to college, she joined the touring cast of Grease as Jan in California. After attending Evangel University, she earned her degree in Vocal music. She worked as a Music director at a local church before joining as a teacher at Pellegrino’s School of Music and Art. Emily also preforms with various local bands in Springfield and has recently been involved with some recording projects. Teaching music is her passion and she strives to make learning music a fun and enjoyable experience for all of her students!

Emily currently offers online and in-studio lessons for her students!

Vic Vaughan – Vocals Instructor

Vic hails from New York City, Brooklyn to be exact. He began playing music and singing at an early age. He grew up listening to the likes of The Beatles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder and other great artists of the time.

Vic brings a funky, infectious groove as well as a wealth of experience in various musical and vocal styles. He is proficient on several instruments, is a seasoned singer, songwriter, producer and an excellent entertainer. Vic has performed with or on the same stage with a virtual “who’s who” of the music industry including Chuck Berry, Patti Labelle, The Coasters, The Gatlin Bros., Luther Vandross, Hank Williams Jr., Rare Earth, Blondie and The Allman Bros.

Vic has been a vocal teacher/coach at Pellegrino’s School of Music & Art since it began. He is anxious to share his musical knowledge and encouragement with his students!

Vic currently only offers online lessons for his students!

Gideon Pellegrino – Cello Instructor

Gideon currently offers online and in-studio lessons for her students!

Marie Lovan – Woodwind Instructor

Marie currently only offers in-studio lessons for her students!

Teresa Pellegrino – Art Instructor

Teresa currently offers online and in-studio lessons for her students!