MISTER JOHN

John Francisco (he/him) moved to Philadelphia in 2015 to launch his very own music program.  During his brief Philly tenure, he’s worked with a variety of Philadelphia organizations – Philly PACK, NEST, Mi Casita, Friends of Rittenhouse, and South Street Headhouse District.

Previously, he worked as a teaching artist in Chicago serving children of all ages and abilities, in a wide variety of settings and across multiple artistic disciplines (music, drama, dance, visual arts, playwriting, etc.)  John was an instructor at the Old Town School of Folk Music – teaching Wiggleworms, kid’s guitar and piano, and elementary music instruction for the Northshore Academy Elementary, where he worked with children struggling with emotional, social, and behavioral demands of school.  John also worked extensively with children with special needs – including six years with the Red Kite Project at Chicago Children’s Theatre (CCT.)   While there, he was a performer and creative contributor of sensory-based interactive theatrical experiences for children with autism and their families, he served as Curriculum Developer, Camp Director and Lead Music/Drama Teacher for Camp Red Kite, CCT’s daycamp for children with autism, and was a co-leader and developer of CCT’s Polk Workshops for Chicago Public School teachers and administrators.   John also worked for many years at Erikson Institute, the premier graduate school in child development.

Additionally, he has performed for children and families in all types of settings – hospitals, music festivals, theatrical performances (including his original show A Party with Mister John as part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival,) and, of course, at countless birthday parties.

Mister John teaches Early Childhood, Guitar and Voice.

MS. ALEXIS

Alexis Cruz (she/her), a singer-songwriter born and raised in Melbourne, FL, has been in the city for 6 years now pursuing her art and performing around the city. Her roots are very much in musical theater having been in shows since a kid and while also pursuing her theater degree at the University of South Florida. In Philly she goes by Ntive Flora and plays her original works which have been described as indie soul, with rich vocal stylings and witty lyrics. 

Currently she is working on her upcoming single and the new beautiful journey of being a mother. “It’s all happening!”

Ms. Alexis teaches Early Childhood. 

MS. ANGIE

Angie Pepa (she/her) has been a singer and songwriter since the age of 12.  She recorded a solo album in her teens and later recorded two albums and played shows all along the east coast as the front woman of a hard rock band out of her hometown of Rockville, MD.  Even after starting her own family, her dedication to making music has never subsided – she currently plays with her husband in a 70’s acoustic rock cover band. Her knowledge of performing onstage in front of large crowds as well as intimate venues gives her the perfect base to teach any soon-to-be rock star. Angie is passionate about creating music, and aims to share her love of doing so with those young and old. Rock on.

Ms. Angie teaches Early Childhood.

MS. ASHLEY

Ashley Prince (she/her) is a musician, teaching artist, and actor from Tupelo, Mississippi. She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Performing Arts. After school Ashley moved to Atlanta where she began teaching private voice, piano, guitar, and ukulele lessons during the day and acting at night. She soon discovered a love for music directing and being in the band. 

Ms. Ashley teaches Early Childhood.

MR. BEN

Ben Appel (he/him) is a lifelong Philadelphian, currently studying at Drexel University towards a Masters in Music Therapy and Counseling.  He is excited to join the team at Mister John’s Music and contribute to the stellar programming they offer South Philly students.   His musical background began early with choir and theater, and continued with a cappella, piano, guitar, and digital recording. He has a long line of teaching experiences that includes special needs preschool, early childhood movement and music, and grade school recreation and gymnastics.   He is thrilled to be returning to working as a summer camp counselor again as it is one of his absolute favorite things, in addition to Phillies baseball, cherry gelati, and sci-fi movies.

Mr. Ben teaches Early Childhood, Guitar, Ukulele and Summer Camp.

MR. BILL

Bill Guy (he/him) is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and audio engineer from Philadelphia. He has worn many hats and worked on a plethora of projects that have included free improv, modular synthesizers, choral music, and a wide range commercial music. He has been playing guitar since the age of 13 and has been writing music and performing as a solo artist and with numerous bands in Philadelphia for the last 12 years.

In 2019, Bill completed his bachelor’s degree in Music Technology at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. He also holds an associate degree in Music Performance for Jazz Guitar from Community College of Philadelphia.

Mr. Bill teaches Early Childhood.

TEACHER CAMILA

Camila Maric (she/they) is a singer, songwriter, and educational activist from McLean, Virginia. They hold a B.M. in Vocal Performance from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where they were heavily involved in the local music scene. While at JMU, Camila played in multiple bands and served as music director of JMU’s award winning a cappella group, the Overtones. Camila has over 15 years of performance experience and has performed in venues all over the world, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In the spring of 2021 Camila helped found the Journal of Undergraduate Research in Music (J.U.R.M.), where they currently serve as an executive board member. Their personal musicological interests focus on historical patterns of linguistic discrimination in vocal repertoire.  Having developed musically through formal and informal/self-taught means, Camila believes fiercely in the importance of intuitive exploration in early music exposure and is thrilled to work with a community of teachers who share this belief.

Teacher Camila teaches Guitar, Voice and Early Childhood.

MS. CASIE

Casie Girvin (she/her) is an active singer, actor, gymnast, and teaching artist hailing from Albany, NY. She received her B.M. in Vocal Performance from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance and has certifications in Vocal Pedagogy, Contemporary Vocal Production, Opera, and Diction.

Casie is a former teaching artist and conductor of Sister Cities Girlchoir, a girl empowerment choral academy serving Philly, Camden, and Baltimore. She served as a teaching artist of voice, acting, and movement at the Betsy Daily School of Performing Arts, Bright Lights Music Academy, and the Albany Musical Theatre Collective. When she is not teaching in the arts, Casie is a gymnastics coach, and personal trainer. She has a streamed show through Collaborative Studios called, “Coach Casie’s Workout Sing-Along” to get young children moving and singing. 

Learn more by visiting her website: www.casiegirvin.com

Ms. Casie teaches Voice and Choir.

TEACHER CODY

Cody Nelson (he/they) is a multi-instrumentalist based in south Philadelphia. Getting an early start performing classical piano at cancer telethons and county fair talent shows, Cody has over 25 years experience playing piano, guitar, and drums in innumerable forms. This includes stints in pit orchestras, marching bands, jazz/chamber combos, and choirs, as well as the current role of vocalist/drummer of the Philly rock band Grocer, a WXPN Artist To Watch who released their newest album Numbers Game in May 2022. Throughout their career, Cody has performed on the same stage as artists such as Modest Mouse, Melkbelly and the Ophelias.

Passionate about songwriting, rhythmic/limb independence and tuning theory, Nelson recently received an Associate’s degree in Music Performance from Community College of Philadelphia with a focus on Piano tuning and technology and hopes to continue their music education at Temple within the next year.

 Teacher Cody teaches Guitar, Piano, Percussion and Early Childhood.

MR. DIEGO

Diego Bedoya (he/him) has been a working musician and teaching artist for ten years in a variety of settings.  As an active musician in the Philadelphia area he has been part of multiple projects, ranging from musical theater to cover bands.  He was a guitar player for the Community College of Philadelphia Jazz band for four years, has played lead guitar for multiple rock bands, has accompanied multiple singers and has worked extensively as a solo instrumentalist. He is also a co-founder and the guitar player for Bridgett and the Asteroids, a jazz trio from Philadelphia, and has played lead guitar for Mister John’s house band since 2015. He holds an Associates degree in Performing Jazz guitar from the Community College of Philadelphia and Bachelors degree in Science in Music from Temple University.

Mr. Diego teaches Guitar, Ukulele and Ensemble.

TEACHER ELIZABETH

Elizabeth Gorrie (she/they) is a musician, yoga teacher, and teaching artist hailing from Andover, MA. Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) at University of Cincinnati.

Elizabeth grew up loving music, participating in musical theatre, taking voice lessons, and eventually studying classical voice and opera under the tutelage of Amy Johnson at CCM. Most recently, she has studied with Lorraine Nubar in NYC. In 2019, Elizabeth started teaching herself to play the guitar. Last year, in search of community and opportunities to learn new skills, she found her way to MJM for group class!

Elizabeth is passionate about the mind-body-emotional connection and the role it plays in artistry and musicianship. Elizabeth encourages students to come as they are, welcoming their full, authentic selves. She supports students to develop a sustainable, fun, and intentional relationship with music and practice by exploring curiosities, intuition, and playfulness.

Teacher Elizabeth teaches Voice and Early Childhood.

MR. EMMETT

Emmett Drueding (he/him) has been a working singer-songwriter in the Philadelphia area for over 15 years. Being the son of the late, great instrumental guitarist Richard Drueding, Emmett grew up around music and began drumming at the age of 8. With a solid foundation of rhythm, Emmett then picked up the guitar and in his early teen years be performed all over Philadelphia in a variety of bands establishing himself in the Philadelphia music scene. 

In his early twenties, he received a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Creative Writing from Temple University, all the while continuing his independent study of the guitar. In 2015 he released his first studio record Strange Bruise, followed by The Loverboy Wanderers (2017), and Tightrope Walker (2019). 

Over his career Drueding has played hundreds of shows in Philadelphia and around the country. Currently, Emmett performs in a six-piece band (guitar, vocals, violin, upright bass, pedal steel guitar, keys, and drums) and also has two solo monthly residencies at The Mermaid Inn and at Pinot Boutique. He is also the resident host of the open mic at esteemed jazz club Paris Bistro. 

Mr. Emmett teaches Guitar and Ukulele.

MR. ERIC

Eric Proctor (he/him) is a music educator and percussion performer in Philadelphia. Currently, he is the Instrumental Music Director at Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School. Eric regularly facilitates drum circles, teaches privately, and is the drummer for Philadelphia band, Bazmati Vice.

Prior to moving to Philadelphia, Eric was the Associate Director of Bands and Percussion Director from 2014 to 2018 at J.P. Taravella High School. In that capacity he conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and String Orchestra. Eric was also the percussion arranger for the Taravella Marching Band. Other percussion programs he has worked with include Dillard Center For The Arts, Coral Springs Middle School, Ramblewood Middle School, Cypress Bay High School Indoor Percussion, Ancient City Ensemble Indoor Percussion, and Oakleaf High School.

Eric holds a BM from the University of North Florida in Music Performance under the direction of Charlotte Mabrey and Kevin Garry.

Mr. Eric teaches Percussion and Ensemble.

MRS. ERIN

Erin Franco (she/her) is thrilled to bring her energetic vibe to Mister John’s! As a dance educator in the Philadelphia suburbs for the past 15 years, she’s taught a variety of classes, ranging from creative movement for little tots to award-winning hip-hop and tap routines. Erin is a graduate from the Southern NJ Academy of Performing Arts and went on to earn her bachelors degree in athletic training from Rowan University.  In addition to touring with with the modern dance company Enso Ensemble, she spent two years as a Soulmate on the dance team for the Philadelphia Soul. Since the birth of her son in May, Erin has been moving and dancing with him in tow, instituting the concepts of rhythm and timing. She is excited to share her love of music and dancing with other moms and dads and their little bundles of joy!

Mrs. Erin teaches movement.

MRS. HEATHER

MR. JOSH

Joshua Gittelman (he/him) has been teaching music in Philadelphia since 2016! He earned his music education degree from Temple in 2020, where he studied on the viola with Ana Tsinadze. Apart from teaching in the Philadelphia School District, he’s worked with many after-school programs like the Philadelphia String Project, Play on Philly, Musicopia, and now Mister John’s Music! He is a seasoned performer, composer, arranger, and conductor. Outside of music, Josh is an avid fan of movies, television, chess, and video games! He competes in Super Smash Bros. Melee competitively and is a world record holder in the arcade game Crazy Taxi.

Mr. Josh teaches Piano and Viola.

MS. LILLY

Lilly Mento (she/her) has been a member of the Mister John Music family since the fall of 2017.  Previously, Lilly had been working as a personal nanny for families in the Queen Village area and  served as a Lead Toddler Teacher at Bright Horizons at Philadelphia, where she created and implemented weekly lesson plans. Lilly was also responsible for promoting creativity and movement activities, in order to foster self- and body-awareness.  Lilly has assumed both an Assistant and Lead Director role in various summer camp programs, including White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, Delaware, where she organized nature-based curricula for school-aged children. In 2015, Lilly earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Delaware. Throughout her undergraduate career, Lilly has worked with children birth to age 8 in a variety of settings and stages of development.

Ms. Lilly teaches Early Childhood, Guitar and Piano.

MS. MORGAN

DR. STEVE

As an educator, composer, pianist, and drummer, Steven Crino’s (he/him) musical interests encompass a wide variety of styles and disciplines. He has experience teaching students of all ages and levels in piano, drums, music theory and composition. Steven’s educational mission is to not only teach students how to play an instrument, but give them the tools to understand music in general. This multifaceted approach allows students to take their general music knowledge with them to any instrument they may be interested in playing in the future, allowing them to transition to a second instrument with ease. As a composer, Steven incorporates composition and improvisation into his lessons, teaching students how to make music with their peers. Steven is a doctoral candidate at the Peabody Conservatory, where he also completed degrees in Composition (M.M.) and Music Theory Pedagogy (M.M.). 

Dr. Steve teaches Piano and Percussion.

MS. TRACY

Tracy Herbster (she/her) is an award-winning digital and broadcast media professional and writer with over a decade of experience producing content for iHeartMedia in New York City and most recently, Portland, Oregon. Originally from Houston, Texas, Tracy relocated to Philadelphia with her family in 2021, where she was introduced to the magic of Mister John’s Music when she brought her son to the Mighties class and instantly fell in love.  Tracy is currently the Digital Director for Most Requested Live with Romeo, a syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs Saturday nights across the USA & Canada, including on 96.5 TDY in Philadelphia. She holds bachelors degrees in Advertising and Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Masters degree in Journalism from New York University. She resides with her husband, Tim, their son, Lucas, and French Bulldog, Hoss, in South Jersey.

Ms. Tracy is our Marketing/Social Media Coordinator.