Woodwinds, Brass and Strings

Alicia is an Elementary Band and Strings teacher in the Cartwright School District. Originally a Pennsylvania native, Alicia received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a concentration on flute and piccolo. During her time in Phoenix, she has taught students who have participated in the ASU String Project, Greater Phoenix Honors Music Festival, and has led performances at two Phoenix Suns NBA games. She enjoys teaching band instruments as well as strings to beginners, preparing them for further studies as they enter high school. Without outstanding teachers like Ms. Berasi to foster an early love for these instruments within the children who pick them up for the first time, we wouldn't have older kids flourishing in their musical studies. She has a reward system that she uses to encourage excellence and a great personality!

Strings - Woodwinds - Brass

Daniel Greene is a woodwind, brass and strings musician who has been teaching for 30 years in schools as well as private instruction. He has taught all over the United states as a band, strings and music instructor at Eagle’s Erie Charter (Chicago IL), Carmel Integrated Arts School (Caroline County, VA), Weitzel Elementary (Flagstaff, AZ), as well as elementary, middle school and high school band, chorus and drama director at Mammoth Schools (Mammoth Lakes, CA).

Daniel received his B.A. in Music Education with a minor in Music Performance at NAU, and his M.A. in Music Education at GCU. He often performs around the valley at various churches, venues and has played with the North Valley Symphony (second chair), Promusica Orchestra (second chair), as well as the All State Southern California Band (principal chair) and many others. Currently, Daniel is the lead band instructor for the Cartwright District, directing the 4th and 5th grade bands and strings programs in addition to clinics and mentorships all around the valley.

Piano, Voice, Saxophone & Music Fun Time

Joshua G. is an American lyric tenor from Sawyerville, Alabama. Known for his brilliant tone and musical versatility, he has graced various classical and non-classical stages alike. Recently, Giles earned a Master's Degree in Performance from Arizona State University and accepted a graduate assistantship which tasked him to teach and officiate studio seminars.

He is also a 2025/26 Arlyn M. Brewster Education Teaching Artist and Performing Ambassador for Arizona Opera. Giles has been coaching and teaching the musical styles of theatre, gospel, pop, and classical repertoire since 2016. Joshua strives for authenticity and freedom of expression in performance by fostering an atmosphere of empathy and confidence within his students.

Band Instruments

Trombonist Mark W. studied at the University of North Texas then joined the Army in 1980. He was a soloist with the 76th Army Band until 1984, then secured a position as the second trombone player for the Stockton Symphony in 1985. After moving to Chicago in 1987, Mark played with many notable Latin and jazz musicians, then on cruise ships for several years until he moved to the Phoenix area in the early ‘90s.

He was a founding member of the Swingtips, a local group that recorded and toured extensively. He graduated from ASU in 1998 with a degree in music education. He currently works days as the band director for Granada East School in West Phoenix. Besides teaching, he keeps a busy schedule as musician playing a wide variety of music with many different bands and artists from stage to church and theater work.

He has played with Ray Charles, Shirley Jones, Sherry Lewis, Mary Jones, Dick Clark, Jay Leno, Wayne Newton, Bill Watrous, Monte Procopio, CC Ryder Express, Power Drive, City Lights, and many others and currently with Carmela Ramirez y Más and the Superstition Jazz Orchestra. He also writes and arranges, some of which can be heard on Ghost Note Recording and Fervor Records.