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 is CEO and teaches whatever he can whenever he can.

MISS 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. 

MISS 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.

MISS 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, Guitar, Piano, and Choir.

MISTER 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.

MISTER BOBBY

Bobby Hoffman (he/him) has been writing and performing songs and poems since he was twelve years old. He graduated from Lycoming College in 2017 with degrees in music and filmmaking, and has been teaching, singing, writing, and acting with students, friends, and strangers in the Philadelphia area ever since. As a musician, Bobby is especially interested in theory and composition, experimental music, and vocal improv. He has recorded and released various songs and albums over the years, and is always working on some musical project or another. In his free time, he loves nothing more than meeting new people and exploring new ideas. 

Mister Bobby 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 Voice and Early Childhood.

MISS 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.

MISS CAT

Cat Pimiento (she/her) is a bilingual and highly versatile musician and songwriter with over 15 years of experience in the music industry. She is a trained vocalist skilled in various musical genres including R&B, Pop, Rock, Opera, Latin music, among others. Her professional journey includes performing as a soloist in numerous venues, contributing as a lead singer in cruise ships, and leading wedding bands in Colombia for over 10 years. Miss Cat has also provided music theory and vocal technique instruction to students of all ages. She created individualized lesson plans tailored to each student’s goals and style preferences. She monitored students progress and adapted lessons, even during remote instruction during the pandemic. Miss Cat holds a Master of Arts degree from the prestigious Francisco José de Caldas District University in Bogota. She is beyond thankful to be able to continue her musical journey as part of Mister John’s musical family in Philadelphia! 

Miss Cat teaches Early Childhood.

MISTER DANIEL

Daniel Sohn (he/him) is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, sound designer, and music director from Canandaigua, NY.  He studied composition at American University in Washington, DC, during which time he taught high school choir at Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda, MD and worked as a freelance music director and sound designer for live theatre. He moved to Philadelphia in 2021, where he has taught private lessons in guitar, piano, voice, bass, theory, and songwriting.

A classical singer by training who grew up leading garage bands in his free time, Daniel is a big proponent of the DIY ethos and enjoys writing and recording his own music as well as arranging/producing for other artists. His most recent album was OUTSIDE, released in 2022. As a vocalist, Daniel has performed with groups including the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and has toured with vocal ensembles across the US, Poland, and Greece. He has also played guitar, keys, and bass with various individual musicians and groups along the east coast for both live shows and recording sessions.

Mister Daniel teaches Guitar, Ukulele, Choir, and Piano.

MISTER DANTE

Dante Lammendola (he/him) is a lifelong Philadelphia resident, product of the Philadelphia Public School system, and graduate of Temple University with a B.S. in Kinesiology and Pre-Health concentration. Since graduating, Dante has been in the field of Workforce Development, specializing in Job Finding and Career Development services for individuals with Disabilities, Criminal backgrounds, and other employment-related barriers.

When he’s not at work or watching/playing baseball, Dante spends his free time playing piano, guitar, bass, and any other instrument he can get his hands on. Dante especially enjoys learning as much new music as possible, bringing family and friends together for Live Band Karaoke events, and using music as a means for community engagement and relationship building.

Dante’s claim to fame is being able to play every Beatles song (except for Revolution 9), and is excited to join the Mister John’s Music family and share his love of all things Beatles and music with others.

Mister Dante teaches Guitar and Beatles Ensemble. 

MISTER 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.

Mister Diego is the Guitar/Ukulele Program Director.

MISTER 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. 

Mister Emmett teaches Guitar and Ukulele.

MISTER 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.

Mister 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.

MISS FAWZIYYA

Fawziyya  Heart (she/her) was born and raised in the heart of Philadelphia. She has been heavily influenced by the Philly music scene which has been changing more and more over the years. Building long-lasting musical relationships on the scene and pure love of music are what keeps her going every day. Her deepest inspirations are Nina Simone and Erykah Badu, and this is reflected in her music: a funk-infused blend of jazz, blues, and soul with anthemic lyrics calling for social change and self-transformation. Fawziyya started off on the Philadelphia music scene by performing with various bands and dipping her feet in the music scene. She performs, records, and writes several songs with the global house music collective WorldTown Sound System alongside Grammy award-winning percussionist Pablo Batista (Alicia Keys/Grover Washington Jr). 

Miss Fawziyya teaches Early Childhood.

MRS. HEATHER

MISTER 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.

Mister Josh teaches Piano and Strings.

MISS 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.

Miss Lilly is the Early Childhood Program Director. 

MISS LISS

Liss Leigh (she/her) is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator. She hails from the West Coast, and holds two Bachelors of Music in jazz performance and composition from Sonoma State University, and is a recent graduate from the Masters of Fine Arts program in music composition at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She can be seen playing in jazz combos at various venues, or touring with bands as a supporting member, while also leading her own group of original music. liss has taught students of all backgrounds and ages for over ten years, specializing in piano, bass guitar, upright bass, and composition. She finds so much joy in helping students find their artistic voice and helping them discover the magic of making music.

Miss Liss teaches Early Bass and Piano.

TEACHER MG

MG Hurley (they/them) is a lifelong musician and performer raised in New England. With a musical background in piano, guitar, voice, and French Horn, they recently graduated from Montclair State University with a BA in Music Therapy. MG is thrilled to join to the MJM team to collaborate with growing musicians of all ages on their musical journeys. When MG isn’t working they enjoy songwriting, reading, and playing board games with friends and family.

Teacher MG teaches Piano.

MISS MORGAN

MISTER MOUSTAPHA

MISS SARIAH

DOCTOR 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.). 

Doctor Steve teaches Piano and Percussion.

MISS ERICA

Erica Elam (she/her) is an actor, improviser, writer, director, teacher, mother, stepmother, and positive psychology practitioner. She is also Mister John’s best friend from college. She has facilitated groundbreaking corporate training and education sessions for companies including Google, Facebook, DeLoitte, etc. She has served as adjunct faculty at The Theatre School at DePaul and visiting faculty at Princeton University, She has led workshops at top universities including Dartmouth, Stanford, Notre Dame, The University of Chicago, and Northwestern. Erica improvises all over the world with the critically-acclaimed improv groups, The Improvised Shakespeare Company and Baby Wants Candy. She has performed at world-renowned theaters including The Kennedy Center, The Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, and The Second City. She recently earned her Masters in Applied Positive Psychology at The University of Pennsylvania and moved to Nashville, TN where she lives with her husband and 2-under-2. 

Miss Erica is Admin Extraordinaire.

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.