Teachers

Chris Vitale - (Guitar - Drums - Bass - Keyboards) - Chris has taught at Main Street Music Store for 7 years. He was a member of many local bands including Fallout Shelter, Masterplan, and Absolute Elsewhere.  He has been writing and recording his own songs for 10 years and has recorded 3 CDs of original music.  He also plays mandolin and ukulele. Chris has performed for school functions and accompanied school performances. He also has played solo acoustic shows at coffee houses and assorted functions.  He is the son of Jack "The Bear" Vitale who has been performing in groups in NEPA for 40 Years!  Chris also helped organized some of his students at  summer Nay Aug Park Youth performance concerts. Chris is a graduate of Marywood University and has a Bachelors Degree in Art Administration with a minor in Music. Chris has a wonderful wife and a beautiful daughter! 

   Jack Mead  - (Saxophones) - Jack is the owner and proprietor of Main Street Music Store.  He has played with The Marywood Jazz Band under Professor Bill Weber for 20 years.  He has also played with the international renowned blues guitarist Clarence Spady.  Jack has also played with The George Wesley Band and many well known local musicians in the area.  He has also led the West 3rd Street band for over 30 years. He is the Vice President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 120 Union. Jack is also a  certified electrician and a licensed home improvement contractor. His father, Kenneth Mead, was a well known saxophonist in the area. His grandmother was also a well known piano and dance teacher. Check out these links to some clips of Jack playing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HPPRBobJeU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI8ml_jQYsU

Christian Xavier Gratz - (Guitar - Keyboards) - Chris has performed with national artists such as The Grass Roots, 3 Dog Night, The Platters, The Drifters, the Crests and many local acts.  He has a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance from Marywood University.  Chris has been a professional instructor for 22 years and his students have gone on to earn degrees in Jazz guitar, education, etc.

  Deborah Hughes - (Piano) - Debby is the owner and proprietor of L.F. Hughes Music Co. She has been playing piano since the age of six and has taught piano for 20 years. She has accompanied church and school choirs and has performed for church services and student recitals. 

    Tom Hamilton - (Saxophones - Clarinet - Flute) - Tom has played with acclaimed, world renowned acts such as The Temptations, Phil Woods, Dave Liebman, and Clarence Spady.  He teaches saxophones,  clarinet and improvisational Jazz at Marywood University.  He is also the music instructor in the Pocono Mountain School District.  Tom is a graduate of William Patterson University with a Bachelors degree in music studies and has completed graduate studies at Marywood University for music education. Tom has also been doing instrument repairs for 30 years.

    Kris Soltis - (Violin) - Kris has been teaching private traditional music instruction to children and adults for 21 years.  She graduated from Marywood University in 1989 with a degree in music therapy.

    Stanley Kalafut - (Trumpet - Trombone) - Stan has been a brass instructor at Main Street Music for 5 years.  He was a member of the Penn State University marching and concert Blue Bands during his college years and a PMEA district and state band musician in high school.  Stan recorded 2 polka albums with Kenny Bannon and the Polka Jaks Orchestra and a 45 rpm single with his own band, Stan Kalafut and the Brass Majors.  He has also recorded and performed with numerous groups throughout the region including West 3rd Street, Penn Dixie Band, The Fortunes, The Marywood Concert & Jazz Ensembles, The Barney Wilkins Big Band, The Lenoxville Band, Musikverein German Band, and the Gene Dempsey Orchestra. 

    Stan is a former assistant band director at Lakeland High School and is an executive board member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 120 Union in Scranton and Vice President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 130 Union.

    Joe Cole - (Bass) - PICS & BIO COMING SOON!!! 

    John Scavone - (Trumpet) - PICS & BIO COMING SOON!!!