Instruments: Percussion
Sarah Soller-Mihlek
Music Therapy / Music Exploration / Guitar / Percussion / Adaptive Music Program
No sleep ’til…Springfield! Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Sarah Soller-Mihlek is a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), multi-instrumentalist, performer, and music instructor with a decade of teaching experience on guitar, bass, drums, piano and voice. She has a classical background in guitar from the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens College and a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy from Westfield State University. She was a one-to-one music instructor at Real Brave Audio community music school for 8 years in Queens, NY, where she taught a wide range of students from ages 4-82. During the pandemic, she was a band coach and songwriting instructor at Girls Rock! D.C. She continued her music education experience in inclusive preschool settings (at Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center), and developmental learning programs with high schoolers (at Westfield High School). With the opportunity to join the CMSS faculty in 2024, she became a teaching artist for the Prelude Preschool of the Arts, Music Exploration, and the Adaptive Music Program. She also teaches one-to-one lessons, tailoring them to meet students where they are at and utilizing client-preferred music.
As a proud first-generation Filipina-American and member of the LGBTQ+ community, she is a huge advocate for making music education accessible to everyone. Coming from a strong DIY background, she believes that music has the power to bring people together by providing a meaningful tool for advocacy, creative expression, insight, and empowerment.
Sarah performed in riot grrrl, alternative, and indie rock bands for over ten years in NYC. Since moving to Western MA, she continues to play in multiple projects, such as drummer of indie-rock band Ex-Temper, and guitarist/lead singer of punk rock band, Sunshine and the Rainbows. She collaborates frequently with local artists and musicians to provide all ages community and performance events. Because music was so impactful in her own life, Sarah hopes to inspire others by providing a welcoming space for anyone who wants to explore music.
Trevor Pitts
Percussion / Sonido Musica Trevor Pitts is a native of Springfield who came to find his passion in percussion at the age of 10 while visiting different churches in the New England area. In his early years he began taking lessons and guidance from legendary musician/percussionist Billy Arnold. Not only did Billy teach him about technique & musicianship but to always strive to do your best no matter what with a great attitude. After years of practice and playing he went on to accompany in numerous bands & ensembles in various genres such as The Charles Majid Greenlee Jazz Ensemble, Ethel Lee, The Jus Us Band, John Hanifin Band & a host of many singers, groups & poets. He also has been a member and musician for St. Johns Congregational Church for the past 17 years. His influences include drummers Teddy Campbell, Stanley Randolph, Sonny Emory, Richard Bailey, Buddy Rich, Philly Jo Jones, Dennis Chambers and many more. Today he continues to work to inspire people just as those that came before did for him.
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Rick Marshall
Sonido Musica Assistant Director, Director of Community Programming • Percussion / Sonido Musica Rick Marshall has been active on the music scene in Western Mass for over 50 years. He has performed regionally with such acts as The Floyd Patterson band, the jazz fusion band Street Temperature, Dynomite Disco Revue, and The Ethel Lee Group. He has toured nationally with Matt “Guitar” Murphy of Blues Brothers fame, Souled Out Motown tribute band, The Temptations Revue, and The Manhattans, and internationally with the band New Star. While Rick maintains a rigorous playing schedule, he has also been a faculty member of the Community Music School of Springfield teaching drumset since 1998. He co-directs CMSS’ Sonido Musica program, which has been instrumental in bringing music back into the curriculum of 30+ schools in Springfield and Holyoke MA, providing instruments, instruction and performance opportunities to over 1,000 students.
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Jason Arnold
Percussion Jason Arnold has played since he was 6 years old, having studied with his father, CMSS faculty member Billy Arnold. Jason performs with rhythm and blues and rock groups throughout the Northeast. In 2010 he was honored for his work with area children as a recipient of a Key Player Ambassador Award and directs many of our Community Partnership programs throughout Springfield.
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