Teachers – Pellegrino's School of Music

Mark Pellegrino – Percussion Instructor

Mark has been playing drums for 35 years and he has been teaching for 26 years. In the summer of 2006, Mark started Pellegrino’s School of Music & Art to try and create an environment much like what he was exposed to during his time at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he received a 2 year certificate in drumset performance. Mark has studied privately for 10 years with the likes of Jim Chapin, Kenny Arronoff, and Dave DiCenso to name a few. He has toured all over the starts playing every style of music. Mark’s teaching method includes trying to find what motivates the student and helping them set and develop their goals. He pushes students to take advantage of the stage at Pellegrino’s School of Music at our free jams, recitals and our band program.

Bryce Burney – Percussion Instructor

Bryce has been playing drums for 11 years and teaching for 6 years. 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.

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.

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 te 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.

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.

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!

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!

Megan Gerbrandt – Violin & Viola Instructor

Megan is from Lenexa, KS, and she has been playing violin for 11 years. She studied under the tutelage of Keith Stanfield, graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, from 2013 to 2016. She has received multiple Superior “I” ratings from KSHSAA for her solo performances. Megan was a member of the 2015-16 KSMEA All-State Orchestra and Northeast District Honors Orchestra. Megan has toured around the United States and Europe with multiple honor ensembles, including the Youth Symphony of Kansas City’s Academy Orchestra.

Megan is currently furthering her education in Instrumental Music Education at Missouri State University, and she is privately studying with Dr. David Hays. She has been teaching students of her own since 2016, and she has assisted multiple teachers in Springfield Public Schools. Megan is a current member of the Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra, and she is a recipient of the Orchestra Governors Award.

Gideon Pellegrino – Cello Instructor

Marie Lovan – Woodwind Instructor