Four o’clock RockS

Peter Lang

Peter Lang has been an educator and musician for over 25 years. As Director of Performing Arts for the past ten years, at The St. Michael School of Clayton, he believes in the positive effect of a student’s ability to gain confidence and a “can-do” attitude through musical instruction. He often states in presentations, “Every opportunity that we as educators have to give a student a reason to come to school must be capitalized upon. That one bright spot in the day can be the beginning of a brand-new start for many students.” Peter holds advanced degrees in Jazz Studies and Business. “Long before the perfection, practice makes possible.”

Steve Bunck

Steve studied drums and percussion at Eastern Illinois University, where he was a member of wind ensemble, marching band, percussion orchestra and jazz combos. Steve has been a drum teacher in the St. Louis area since 1994. Steve is currently the drummer for Mr. Blue Sky, a tribute to The Electric Light Orchestra, and plays internationally with Pavlov’s Dog. In addition to his playing career, Steve has written and has managed product development for Dixon Drums, Rogers Drums and Gibraltar Hardware. He teaches beginning to advanced drum set and rudimental drumming and hand technique.

Michael Schaerer

Michael had an interesting and very musical childhood. His Grandfather Cliff Frederiksen Sr. played accordion for the Russ David Orchestra. His father, Cliff Sr., also played with Russ (guitar), and went on to play with Clyde Stubblefield (of James Brown fame). Moreover, Michael’s stepfather Dr. Jacques Schaerer was a Neurosurgeon and a trained and talented pianist and violinist. A good start!

Michael performs currently with several bands comprised of some of the top musicians in Saint Louis. He and Richard Fortus, (The Eyes/Pale Divine founders) reunite whenever schedules allow for sellout shows. He also instructs grade school and middle school students in voice, guitar, ukulele, piano, songwriting, audio recording and live performance at St. Michael School of Clayton. He commits to more than 100 performances every year at venues all around the Midwest.

Mark Pagano

As a singer/songwriter, touring musician, and educator, Mark Pagano has found a myriad of opportunities to make and share music with diverse populations. Since 2004 Pagano has released eight albums of original music under the label he co-founded, Love-O-Rama Records. He has toured locally and nationally both solo and with his band FIRE DOG. His recent work with Grammy-Winning producer, Dean Jones, has launched his solo family music persona Marko Polo and has found new audiences throughout the globe.

Equally passionate about music education, Pagano has served as the musical and artistic director for the non-profit group International Playground Performing Arts Ensemble for refugee teens. In addition, he has directed rock-band programs for St. Michael’s School of Clayton, New City School, and COCA.

In 2013 Pagano developed the Music Maker song-writing curriculum through Springboard’s St. Louis Public Schools partnership program. Music Maker has been used for grades K to 12 in numerous schools over the past eleven years. He also has over a decade of experience teaching private and group lessons in guitar, ukulele, and voice.

Pagano was recently selected for professional development opportunities through national organizations – Wolf Trap’s early childhood arts integration program and Young Audience’s social-emotional learning modules.