Braille Beats

Our Staff

Susan Gardner

Program Director and one of the founders of Braille Beats, Mrs. Gardner teaches piano privately while also playing professionally in the Detroit area. Her expertise in music theory, piano and teaching provides students with opportunities to gain knowledge and skills while absorbing her infectious love and appreciation of the Fine Arts.

Steve Hornbeck

Also a founder of Braille Beats, Mr. Hornbeck plays professionally in the Detroit area. As Music Director, Steve oversees the music program including theory, form and analysis, composition, performance and other music projects which vary from year to year. Steve also makes sure there are surprises and fun elements each year as well as supervising the recording of students, guest presenters and formal performances.

Kay Rowe

Art Director, Musician and Movement Instructor. Mrs. Rowe teaches art privately, facilitates artists retreats and is frequently featured in art shows throughout the state. She is also an accomplished musician and performs in the Detroit area. Mrs. Rowe, a practitioner of yoga helps with the movement portion of the Braille Beats program. Along with her specially trained support staff, Mrs. Rowe introduces the students to a variety of media and techniques while encouraging imagination and creativity.

Daniel Kish

Daniel Kish brings his world renowned expertise as a psychologist, navigation expert and teacher of blindness skills to his role as Independent Living Skills Director.

Brunhilde Merk-Adam

Another of the founders of Braille Beats and Executive Director of BLIND VISION, Inc., Ms. Merk-Adam provides administrative support as well as helping to educate the sighted staff regarding the blind community. Ms. Merk-Adam also assists with the Braille Music portion of the program as an instructor, editor and embosser.

Instructors:

Cheryl Wade - Braille Music
Braille Music teacher since our inception, Ms. Wade is also a journalist for Midland Daily News.

John Hill - Jazz History
Mr. Hill has been a long time friend of Braille Beats. He has given several lectures and performances as a guest speaker on percussion topics.  Mr. Hill teaches band in the Holly schools, music in local colleges and gives private percussion lessons. As an instructor, he will share his knowledge of Jazz History, providing diversification to our program.

Karen Burke - Theory & Braille Music
Ms. Burke bolsters our Braille Music, Theory, Keyboard and Concert Preparation classes. Her enthusiasm inspires both students and staff.

Tom Zimmerman - Music Theory , Composition & History
Doctor Zimmerman shares his expertise in music theory, history, and music composition with our students. Students who attend Dr. Zimmerman's class leave with a good idea of what they can expect in a college setting.

James Pescor - Strings
With a Master of Music in Viola Performance / Music Education, University Texas, Mr. Pescor heads up our string department. Mr. Pescor has the uncanny ability to meld the individual talents of the students into one ensemble, as well as improve each student's own skills.

Lakedria Lozano - Voice

Ms.Lozano has her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Marshall University. She brings enthusiasm and contagious joy for vocal music to the Braille Beats Vocal Ensembles and our soloists.

James Compton - Music Technology, Theory and Conducting
Mr. Compton offers support in Music Technology, Theory and Conducting.  He has done Bachelor and Master studies in Music Composition and Theory at Wayne State University.  Mr. Compton owns a recording studio, composes and arranges music and conducts at a local church.  He is a three time recipient of the ASCAP Morton Gould Award and has been awarded the Raymond Hubbell award in composition. His vast knowledge of computers and electronics has helped Braille Beats numerous times. 

Paul Sharkey - Logistics Engineer
Stage Manager, equipment maintenance engineer, recording engineer and logistics expert, Mr. Sharkey willingly and cheerfully provides the necessary glue to the Braille Beats program.

Matt Birskovich - Guitar
Matt assists Daniel Kish in teaching mobility skills and helps the music department with his classical, as well as pop guitar skills.

Additional instructors and Guest Presenters are invited to address specific topics and vary from year to year. Every effort is made to provide role models and mentors who are blind or visually impaired.