Midcoast School Of Music offers personalized lesson plans and one-on-one instruction with some of the finest musicians in New England, focusing on mechanics, theory, and performance. Below, you’ll see the instructors available for brass lessons and have a chance to learn more about them. For more information regarding available lesson times at either of our campuses, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Marc Chillemi
In 2001, Marc migrated from Boston to the state of Maine. Quickly becoming an active musician, promotor, educator and entertainer in greater Portland, Marc created the SoPo Trio. Soon after the trio was put together, Marc started a weekly jazz night at Barbara’s Kitchen Cafe in South Portland, which lasted for five years. Originally hailing from New York, Marc grew up with a piano in the house, along with the sounds of jazz, Tito Puente, and classic rock. At the age of 9, Marc was handed a bugle and one year later started to study trumpet with his uncle. By the start of his teenage years, Marc knew he wanted to pursue music full time, and decided to move to Boston after high school to study at Berklee College of Music. In 1991, he graduated from Berklee and holds a B.A. in Jazz Composition. During his time in Boston, Marc studied with famed jazz educator Herb Pomeroy, composer and trumpet instructor Greg Hopkins, and Afro-Pop ensemble director Bob Pilkington.
Since then, Marc has toured North America, Canada and Europe with a variety of groups such as: Made In The Shade, a New Orleans style combo, and the bizarre and original Hypnotic Clambake, a Psychedelic-Middle Eastern-Bulgarian-Cajun- Zydeco-Klezmer band. After three years on the road, Marc was determined to continue touring, and in 1994 joined the most eclectic group of his career, Babaloo. Marc spent ten years touring with Babaloo, and recorded and produced four full length CDs’ with the band. Babaloo considered themselves to be the originators of a style they called, Punk Mambo and Hardcore Juju, which was a combination of Tito Puente, the Ramones, and African musical styles. During his time with the band, they had the opportunity to share the stage with Maceo Parker, the Wailers, and Burning Spear. In addition, Marc has appeared as a guest soloist with such artists as: G. Love and Special Sauce, the legendary Skatelites from Jamaica, World Circuit recording artists Orchestra Baobab, and Brooklyn based brass bands, Slavic Soul Party and Antibalas.
Combined with a charismatic rhythmic and melodic style, Marc is also known for having a strong, soulful and original sound. As a trumpet teacher Marc focuses on methods to improve tone, technique and endurance by developing daily routines and exercises. Marc also enjoys exploring the many layers of improvisation with his students, and specializes in African, Cuban and Caribbean music. Today, after twenty years of experience as a professional musician, Marc is enrolled in graduate school preparing for a Masters in Jazz Studies at U.S.M. Marc also is the trumpeter, percussionist and singer with Primo Cubano.