LOU BLEILE
MARK MAHER
Mark Maher holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in jazz studies from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Mark has performed with artists such as The Drifters, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Platters, The Coasters, Jack Jones, The Jimmy Dorsey Band, and the Missouri Symphony, among others. He has toured with Marty Balin, and traveled the world with the circus and several cruise lines, as well as serving as music director for three national tours of theatrical productions. He can be seen and heard around the St. Louis area, freelancing with several bands, theater orchestras, and as a solo pianist, in addition to producing, recording and arranging music. Mark also performs at home and in Europe as member of the progressive rock band Pavlov’s Dog. Initial response to his latest CD, “Variations on the Macarena for Solo Piano”, was promising, but it has since been banned in 14 countries.
NATHAN RAUSCHER
Nathan is an eclectic multi-instrumentalist. Performing regionally since 2013, he has worked as a sideman, music director, and bandleader in a variety of styles including jazz, rock, pop, hip-hop, funk, and more. His debut EP, “Blue Cosmos”, is available to stream on all platforms, featuring original music played by his jazz quintet.
DENNY MCFARLAND
After serving as a substitute performer for Mirage, Denny McFarland became the owner of Mirage in March, 2024 and will perform in the group as a trombonist and vocalist. He is both excited and proud to work with such talented musicians and wonderful people in the group and looks forward to entertaining audiences of all sizes at a wide variety of events!
Denny recently retired after 31 years of serving as a high school Director of Bands. His students at East Alton-Wood River HS (1993-1996) and at Pattonville Pattonville HS (1996-2024) performed at many community and regional events. The bands also traveled all over the US to perform, attend clinics, and compete in music festivals (once earning the distinction of National Sweepstakes Champion).
Notable Pattonville Band performances by the PHS Jazz Ensemble include the Missouri Retired Teachers Association State Conference, National Arts in Education Conference, and UM-St.Louis’ Tribute to Maynard Ferguson honoring the jazz legend after his passing in 2006. In the Fall of 2022, Pattonville HS hosted rehearsals and the world premier performance of the new Dave Weckl St. Louis Big Band Contingent. The Pride of Pattonville Marching Band performed in the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals World Series Championship Parade and they performed in Honolulu, Hawaii three times (2006, 2012, 2023) as part of the King Kamehameha Parade along with concerts at the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor.
Denny McFarland is a past recipient of the Pattonville School District Teacher of the Year Award and the Emerson Excellence in Education Award. He served as an executive board member for the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association for 15 years and was recently nominated for the SLSMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award. Denny is a member of PNEA, MMEA, NAfME, MBA, MOAJE, PBM and HSBDNA and has served as a guest conductor in Madison County, IL, St. Clair County, IL and in Missouri for the Central District Missouri Music Educators Association, Northeast Missouri Honor Jazz Band and the St. Louis Suburban MMEA District 5 MIddle School Honor Jazz Band. Mr. McFarland also served as a clinician for Jamey Aebersold’s Jazz Improvisation Workshops.
Since starting out as a freelance trombonist at the age of 14, Denny has been fortunate to perform with The Fabulous Fox Orchestra, The Pit Orchestra for The MUNY Opera, Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus Band, The Glenn Miller Orchestra and The St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra along with several local and regional ensembles in venues such as the Kiel Opera House, Jazz St. Louis and more! Denny has studied with Brett Stamps, Jim Martin and Roger Davenport.
Denny currently resides in Maryland Heights, MO with his wife, Kate, and their two sons, Thomas (drums) and Max (trumpet) (who both perform part-time with Mirage).
CRAIG ROECKLE
Craig Roeckle, bass guitar, electric upright bass and vocals, is a well versed musician accomplished in playing all styles of music from jazz standards to funk and all genres in between. A veteran of the St. Louis music scene, Craig has been with Mirage for twenty years.
Craig has played with other St. Louis bands such as Bob Kuban, The Johnny Polzin Orchestra, Four Hits and a Miss and Xpression to name a few. Having studied music at Loyola University in New Orleans, Craig brings a wealth of music theory to the band and is responsible for much of the band’s arrangements.
When not playing music, Craig is a team manager at Duke Manufacturing in St. Louis.
MONICA FISHERING
Singer Monica Fishering has been performing since elementary school.
She has spent the last 20 years performing in whatever capacity she could, whether it be in choir, musicals, or at church. From opera to country, she has done it all.
She graduated with an Entertainment Industry Studies degree with a Sport Administration minor in 2019 from Belmont University.
In her downtime, she enjoys reading, cheering on local sports teams, and spending time with her dog.
When not performing with Mirage, she is an Insurance Sales Consultant at Simplicity Group.
Jason Kaminsky
Jason Kaminsky (alto and tenor sax, flute and vocals) began playing in his first professional band at age 16. Over the years, Jason has been a member of many different bands that range in genre from Top 40, to rhythm and blues, to classic rock, to big band jazz, to sacred music. Jason has performed with many top St. Louis bands including Bob Kuban, Yessir!, the Rhythm Imperials, Route 66 Jazz Orchestra and the Steve Marino Review. One of Jason’s personal musical highlights was performing with guest soloist jazz legend Louie Bellson.
When not playing music, Jason teaches at Missouri Baptist University. Jason holds a Doctorate of Management degree from Webster University and an MBA degree from Washington University.
Kurt Schmid
Kurt (trumpet and Flugelhorn) attended both St. Louis University as well as UMSL and holds a bachelor’s degree in music management from the University of Missouri at St. Louis. Trumpet has been his instrument of choice since 4th grade, thanks in part to his Dad’s affection for Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.
Not surprisingly, his musical influences include classic jazz artists such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Maynard Ferguson. He also enjoys the rock genre quite a bit.
Kurt recently retired as an I.T. systems and support manager for the St. Louis Public Library. Kurt also performs with the popular band Rockin’ Chair.
TOM BLAKE
Mirage’s Sound Engineer, Tom Blake originally started his musical career as a drummer, singer and vocal arranger. His training at Synergetic Audio Concepts has provided him unmatched training that has advanced his career in to producing live performances as well as work in the recording studio. A few of his credits include the opportunity to tour with and engineer for Bobby Carlisle (Butterfly Kisses) and Bryan Duncan.
Closer to home, Tom was the live recording engineer for the MTV documentary on multiple grammy winner Nelly, he’s engineered several shows at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre as well as various top local bands including Smash, The Fabulous Motown Review and Butch Wax and the Hollywoods.
Special Thank You
We want to express much appreciation and love for two original members of Mirage who retired from full-time performing with Mirage in early 2024. We would not be where we are today without the dedication, passion, talent, determination and friendship of Darren George and Brett Hofius. Your countless list of contributions will be appreciated forever!
Brett Hofius
Piano, Keyboards, Vocals
Darren George
Drums, Vocals
In Remembrance
We are so grateful to have had the pleasure of performing with two wonderfully talented friends and musicians, Mr. Kenny Schwein (Sax) and Mr. Robert Ray (Trombone and Vocals). Kenny and Robert played together for many years as early as early as their college days while at UMSL, then with the local band Quintessence and eventually Mirage. Mirage would not be where it is today without the many contributions of these two gentlemen. RIP Kenny and Robert.
Kenny Schwein
Saxophone
ROBERT RAY
Trombone
