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Faculty

The members of our faculty are more than teachers. They’ll be your mentors, your collaborators, and your instant list of more than 500 industry contacts. They are experienced and talented professionals in their field—and bring a thorough knowledge of music to the classroom that comes from a rich professional background in the music industry. They also bring an energy that will inspire you to push your talents and thinking beyond what you thought were the limits. You’ll find yourself transferring their influences to your ensemble rehearsals, performances, recording sessions, and gigs. In addition, the student-teacher ratio averages 8 to 1. Which means you’ll never feel like a number.

Find a faculty member

Alonzo Harris, Assistant Professor

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

"I'm there to help my students become what they want to be, whatever that is. I think it's our job as teachers to try to provide options as much as we can, because you don't know what's out there. You like to sing, but don't really like to perform? Well, you could be a session singer. You like to write songs? You don't have to sing your own songs; you can write songs for other people and get a publishing deal. There are all kinds of things you can do to be a successful musician."

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David Hollender, Professor

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

"I've always appreciated the fact that Berklee accepts students with high potential and the right attitude, not just who's the hottest player. Five-string banjo was my first instrument, but when I decided to apply to Berklee as a student they didn't teach it, so I had to play another instrument. I had recently started playing bass, and it felt like going back to square one as a player, but I was motivated and determined. My teachers recognized that and helped me to make fast progress. Now, as a teacher I enjoy working with students who share those qualities."

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Neal Itzler, Assistant Professor

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

  • B.M., Berklee College of Music
  • Full-time performer in metropolitan Boston and New York City areas
  • Appearances with Phil Collins, the Drifters, Noel Redding, Neil Sedaka, Najee, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, and Layla Hathaway
  • Recently released After Hours, a CD with band Myanna

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Mark Kohler, Assistant Professor

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

"I build my classes on a foundation of mutual trust and respect, a space where fear is kept at bay and every student is expected to work hard, take chances, and make mistakes and then grow from them—but most importantly, to explore and discover, or rediscover, for themselves that unique voice. Because it takes high standards, discipline, and hard work to have a successful music career, these elements are integral to all of my classes. Watching students grow in this discover-trust-develop continuum is a constant wellspring of inspiration for me. Being a catalyst in the process is one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching."

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Bob Lada, Associate Professor

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

"I've been teaching the Alexander Technique for the last 20 years. The Alexander Technique concerns itself with how you do what you do. We try to have you move as easily and freely as possible while making your music. We call that difference 'use': how you use yourself as an instrument. My belief is that the more you perform in a healthy manner, the better your sound will be. I've certainly seen it demonstrated."

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Tony Lada, Professor

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

"In improvisation, the approach is to teach one concept at a time, ranging from the theoretical to the more creative, like how to shape a solo rhythmically or melodically. I like to think I teach students how, as opposed to what, to think musically, because with jazz, unlike any other kind of music, there's a lot more interpretive freedom for the individual. I also want students to feel safe about taking a chance in areas that they're not too familiar with. I know sometimes it's pretty intimidating to perform in front of your peers. So I try to make students feel relaxed and not worry about making a mistake."

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Joe Lovano, Gary Burton Chair in Jazz Performance

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

"Every time I play, I want to have a joyous feeling when I embrace my horn. Because jazz, to me, is your personal expression on your instrument. Every time you play is a summation of where you've traveled as a player, and that comes out in your music. It's not how fast you can play this lick, or this pattern. It's developing an approach that lets you be free on your instrument to execute your personality within whatever kind of music it is."

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Winston Maccow, Associate Professor

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

"What I try to get out my class is leaders. Everyone’s supposed to lead, everyone. I put people on the spot just to see how they’re paying attention to things. I’ll say, 'Okay, next week, I want you to lead.' Or I don’t even say that. I just say, 'You’re going to lead today.' In my class, you’re always on your toes. It’s the only way to develop leadership. You’ve got to be on your toes in the real world."

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Ron Mahdi, Associate Professor

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

"A great ensemble player comes from different angles. You have several options of doing things so you don’t get bored and so others don’t get bored with your response to what’s coming at you. It’s like saying the same thing over and over when you’re having a conversation."

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Alain Mallet, Associate Professor

DEPARTMENT : Ensemble Department

  • Performances with Phil Woods, Paul Simon, Paquito D'Rivera, Marc Johnson, and Madeleine Peyroux
  • Critically acclaimed producer for his work with Jonatha Brooke
  • Original compositions have been recorded by jazz greats such as Gary Burton, Dave Samuels and Paquito D'Rivera

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