Our Stellar Staff
Scroll down for individual bios.


Sandy Connolly: High Priestess
Sandy Connolly is our fearless leader at Crescendo Music Loft handling all aspects of teaching in addition to running the business. Classically trained in music (opera) but having heard the southern calling of the blues, Sandy has used her musical exposure and skills to develop a unique and personalized teaching

Ted Ervin: Factotum
Factotum of the Loft Ted Ervin is Crescendo Music Loft’s Minister of Technology and the “go to guy” for needs regarding scheduling our rehearsal and performance space and anything related to equipment, be it backline, PA, or instruments. While we don’t hold it against him, Ted is a more

Kirsten Livingston: Maven of Marketing & Scheduling
Kirsten Livingston is the latest addition to our talented support team here at Crescendo Music Loft bringing her 25+ years of graphic design and project management skills to our dynamic group. Ms. Livingston handles all aspects of marketing our numerous events as well as insuring that we don’t have facility

Abigail Connolly: Empress of Virtually All Tasks
Abigail (Abi) is our youngest and most diverse management member at Crescendo Music Loft who enjoys pointing out that she rightfully could do everybody’s job but simply doesn’t have the time. When not feasting on a steady diet of Skyr Icelandic yogurt along with fresh fruit & bread with a

Tony Cafiero: Sultan of Spin
Tony is our wizard of the written word, sultan of synonyms, and the prince of prose writing copy for our press releases, posters, web and social media articles When not busy composing copy for CML, Tony can be found fooling audiences into believing that he is an accomplished piano player

Ken Hickmott: Grandmaster of Graphics
Ken Hickmott is our Grandmaster of Graphics joining us after relocating to Connecticut from Northern California. Ken’s experience as art director for a commercial printer as well as his exposure to package design, product labeling, financial reports and advertising materials make his wide array of talents especially attractive to our

Joe Pecoraro: Business Planner & Resident Slave Driver
Affectionately known to us and others as “Joey Yeah Yeah,” Joe is our Czar of Cash and Manager of all things money here at CML. Essentially, Joey Yeah Yeah keeps us from making all kinds of financial “No No’s” thus keeping our lights on and our students learning in the

“Shot Glass” John Hurley
Crescendo Music Loft is thrilled to announce a new staff member – Mr. John Hurley – who will serve our students as our “Lesson Lieutenant.” John will assist in reviewing and grading homework assignments and provide valuable feedback including review of Sight Reading Factory exercises. Additionally, John will record accompaniments

Melissa Greenberg: Goddess of the Gigabyte
Crescendo Music Loft is pleased to introduce Ms. Melissa Greenberg as its newest staff member. Melissa will serve as our Gigabyte Guru assisting students and faculty with her information technology (IT) skills. A true Contessa of Connectibility, we are excited to add her essential skills to support continued success with

Danger Is My Business
Most people know me by my given name, Charlie. I’ve earned other names, too. Badges of honor, if you will. When you’re good at your job cool nicknames kind of come with the territory. Like Staff Sergeant Hurley™. Or High Priestess of the Loft. Me? I specialize in security. Ever