Alumnus and Faculty Spotlight: Freddy Maresca

From Student to Educator: A Journey in Music and Teaching 

Double alumnus Freddy Maresca (Music Education '20, Master’s Trumpet Pedagogy '23) has transformed his passion for music and education into a multifaceted career that spans teaching, performance and leadership roles in the Nashville area. 

Currently residing in Nashville, Maresca wears many hats: 

• Adjunct professor at Belmont 

• Band Director at Overbrook Catholic School 

• Trumpet Teacher at Nashville School of the Arts, Siegel High School and Page Middle and High School 

• President, social media manager and 1st trumpet of The Lakes Brass Quintet 

Maresca's journey began immediately after earning his bachelor's degree, when he took on the role of interim general music teacher at Jordan Elementary School in Brentwood, TN during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. His dedication to education continued as he pursued his master's degree, working with the special education team at Jordan and later returning as a part-time music teacher. 

In the fall of 2023, Maresca came full circle, returning to Belmont as an adjunct professor teaching Fundamentals of Music Theory. He has since expanded his role, now teaching undergraduate Tech and Lit I and II for the Belmont trumpet studio. 

As a freelance musician, Maresca is active in the local music scene. He regularly performs at St. Joseph's Parish in Madison, TN, where he plays trumpet, cantors and directs the contemporary choir. He's also a member of the Music City Brass Ensemble. 

The Lakes Brass Quintet 

One of Maresca's most significant achievements is co-founding The Lakes Brass Quintet, a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Nashville. The quintet performs at various venues across Middle Tennessee, including Opryland, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and Cheekwood, and church services and private events.  

As the social media manager for the ensemble, Maresca creates educational and entertaining content for their social media platforms. "With this ensemble, I get to combine my passions for education, performance and brass pedagogy," he explained. "Through our content creation, we've been able to reach millions of people around the world, and The Lakes Brass Quintet is quickly becoming a popular name in the brass niche online." 

Maresca’s Belmont Experience 

During his time at Belmont, Maresca was an active member of the music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. This experience profoundly impacted his personal growth and musical development. He particularly cherished the opportunities to perform at nursing homes, bringing joy to audiences who rarely get to hear live music.  

"When you're a student at Belmont, oftentimes you're working on repertoire that is meant to challenge your technical abilities which can at times be frustrating," Maresca reflected. "It was always refreshing to create a program with the sole purpose of bringing as much joy as possible to audiences who often don't get to hear live music." 

Maresca's most impactful Belmont memory was his graduate lecture recital, where he performed and analyzed different arrangements of the famous cornet solo, "Carnival of Venice." This recital showcased his technical skills and ability to present complex musical concepts to a broader audience. 

"This recital was the perfect culmination of my passion for all things trumpet as well as my excitement to teach," he reminisced.  

Mentorship and Advice 

Dr. Joel Treybig, professor & coordinator of instrumental studies, played a crucial role in Maresca's development as both an undergraduate and graduate student. Dr. Treybig's patience, motivation and supportive attitude helped Maresca overcome challenges and reach his full potential.  

Maresca said Dr. Treybig is “everything you could ask for in a private instructor.” “He knows how to motivate and push his students to reach their full potential, and he does this through an attitude of kindness and patience,” he explained. “As a trumpet instructor myself, I try to extend the same level of grace and understanding to my students. Even after graduating, Dr. Treybig has kept in touch and has been a resource as I continue developing as a trumpet player and teacher.” 

To current and prospective Belmont students, Maresca offers this advice: "Cultivate a spirit of curiosity and lifelong learning. Resist the urge to dismiss classes outside your major as irrelevant. The unexpected knowledge you gain might be the key to forging the career you want, not just the one you think you need." 

"Learn as much as you can, and keep yourself open to new opportunities," he added. 

Belmont's Lasting Impact 

For Maresca, Belmont represents both his educational foundation and an ongoing part of his career. As an alumnus and now an adjunct professor, he values the opportunities Belmont provided to discover himself as an educator and musician. The diverse experiences he gained through his studies have prepared him to teach students across a wide range of ages and backgrounds. 

Maresca's relationship with Belmont has come full circle, allowing him to continue growing as an educator while teaching subjects he's passionate about.  

“As a teacher, I enjoy the challenge of working with students of all ages and backgrounds, and I would not be able to step up to meet the needs of my students without all of the experiences I had through my undergraduate and graduate studies,” Maresca said. "Not only did Belmont prepare me for my career, but now Belmont is a small part of my career, and I'll keep coming back to teach as long as they'll have me."