Paideia’s Faculty and Staff Band, The Snake Charmers, on their Return to the Stage
As the clock strikes 3 p.m. and students pack their bags and rush to carpool, a group of faculty and staff gather their instruments, lugging guitar cases and music binders across campus. They are preparing for their return to the Pi Party stage.
For the second year in a row, the faculty and staff band, The Snake Charmers, will be performing at the Pi Party. The Snake Charmers carry on a long legacy of faculty and staff bands that dates back to the early 1990s. John Capute was there when it all began – students and faculty formed a house band that would play the talent show and Monday Morning Meeting. “We played whatever – The Carpenters, U2” John remembers. During the 2000s, a faculty and parent talent show emerged and the house band, which featured current faculty including Dave Fergemann, Clark Cloyd, Martin Aguilera and Stacey Winston, became the backing band. When the faculty and parent talent show ended in the early 2010s, different iterations of a faculty and staff band would play, but performances were inconsistent, and for many years following the COVID-19 pandemic, nonexistent.
Last year’s Pi Party theme “Feels Like Home” brought Paideia’s largest fundraiser for financial aid back to campus for the first time in 30 years. This return home inspired the Pi Party committee to embrace beloved traditions from the school’s past, including the performance of a faculty and staff band. Communications and Marketing Manager Grace Garrett who was working on a story about faculty and staff musicians for the spring magazine partnered with Director of Parent Involvement Kellie Bruce to gauge interest for the formation of a new faculty and staff band. While over a dozen faculty and staff were invited to join the band, only six faculty members committed to performing. High School English teacher Sarah Schiff stepped up as the band’s leader, keeping the group on track as they prepared a setlist of six songs in just six weeks. The performance was a smashing success that left many community members asking, “When will the band play next?”
As preparation for this year’s Pi Party began, the band was excited to be asked back. In anticipation of their return to the Pi Party stage, the group met in December to brainstorm songs. By January, everyone was back in John Capute’s classroom ready to practice. Last year’s six song setlist has grown to sixteen songs, spanning multiple genres and decades. There’s a little something for everyone, and plenty of reasons to hit the dance floor. After 11 weeks and over 40 hours of practice, the Snake Charmers are prepared to rock this year’s Pi Party on March 28. Click below to learn more about each member of the band.
John Capute (High School English) – Drums
Like many kids of the 70s, John Capute was inspired by the bands he listened to start his own garage band. At 12 years old, he got his first guitar. In 8th grade, he switched to bass and formed his first band, Mastodon. In high school, he played guitar in a folk band called Peace River Alberta. It wasn’t until he came to Paideia in the 90s that John started drumming.
Jose Cordero (Elementary K-1 Teacher) – Guitar, Vocals
Music has always been important for Jose Cordero’s family. At age three, he started playing violin, and subsequently, picked up many other instruments. He didn’t pick up guitar until he was 14 when a friend shared a Beatles music book with him. The first song he learned to play was “Eleanor Rigby” – the rest is history. Jose began playing music in cover bands, playing gigs in downtown Athens, GA in the 90s.
Dave Fergemann (STEAM Coordinator) – Keys
In second grade, Dave Fergemann started taking piano lessons. Years of practice made Dave a proficient classical pianist, which he translates to his flexibility and ease on keys. While he never played with bands in high school or college, shortly after coming to Paideia he was recruited to play with the faculty house band.
Grace Garrett (Communications and Marketing Manager) – Guitar, Vocals
Upon seeing the 2003 film “School of Rock,” Grace Garrett knew she wanted to play guitar. To her dismay, she was forced to take piano lessons instead. At age 14, she finally convinced her parents to let her take guitar lessons, which led her to play both rock and classical music in her high school’s guitar program. Grace played in a classical guitar ensemble through college, and she continues to write and play folk music with the band Rosehip.
Jessica Lima Smith ’99 (High School Counselor) – Lead Vocalist
During her junior high years, Jessica Lima Smith ’99 began participating in musical theater. As a member of Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, she recognized her strength as a singer and performed a few solos. While Jessica knew singing wasn’t her life’s passion, she has always found a way to keep music in her life – karaoke remains one of her favorite pastimes. As opportunities to sing back-up vocals have come up, Jessica has happily volunteered. When she joined the Snake Charmers, Jessica expected to be one of an ensemble of singers, but she now rocks the night away as the group’s lead vocalist.
Sarah Schiff (High School English Teacher) – Bass, Vocals
As a child, Sarah Schiff learned to play piano and enjoyed singing, but it wasn’t until adulthood that she picked up the bass. Ten years ago, Sarah started taking bass lessons after witnessing the musical talents of her family and wanting to join in on the fun. Her husband plays keys, her daughter plays guitar and her son plays drums – all they were missing was a bass. Through the studio where she took lessons, Sarah met other musicians and began playing in 70s/80s rock cover bands. She is a big fan of Rush’s Geddy Lee, whom she takes inspiration from as both a vocalist and bassist in the Snake Charmers.