our music teachers
bringing family & friends together
Rockabye Beats creator Marcos Valles witnessed the power of music bringing people together, at a very young age. Marcos was born in Puerto Rico, and descends from a long line of musicians. He remembers the joy and the sense of belonging he felt as a little boy, singing in his mother’s children’s choir and dancing along to the famous musical jams his family would put on. That influence has stuck with him all these years and played a role in his love for teaching children.
Marcos founded Rockabye Beats following a 15 year career as a drummer, singer, and songwriter whose works have been included in television and film. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in music and acting from Emerson College in Boston, MA, and since 2013 he has been honing his craft as a child music educator. Marcos hopes to recreate that fun, family atmosphere where he learned about music for young children who are experiencing it for the first time. As a result, Rockabye Beats is more than just an entertaining music program—it’s a place where friends are made and families grow closer by creating music together!
Marcos Valles
FOUNDER & NASHVILLE TEACHER
Marcos Valles is a musician, performer, and educator based in Nashville, Tennessee. Born in Puerto Rico, Marcos was surrounded by music from an early age — his mother and grandmother sang, his grandfather played guitar, and his uncles played bass and harmonica. Those family jam sessions and church performances taught him the power of music as a universal language that brings people together and creates lasting bonds.
After more than a decade of performing in the Boston area, Marcos started Rockabye Beats, a fun, high-energy music program that helps kids discover a love of music while connecting families through song. He’s since brought the program to Nashville, continuing to share that same sense of joy and community.
In recent years, Marcos has toured internationally as the drummer for Noah Kahan, performing on major stages and festivals across the U.S. and abroad. Through that experience, he’s had the chance to connect with audiences of all kinds, sharpen his craft as a live musician, and grow alongside a team of artists who share a deep love for storytelling through music.
Inspired by artists like The Police, Juan Luis Guerra, Ennio Morricone, and Bob Marley, Marcos blends a range of styles and cultures in his work — always with the goal of making music that brings people together.
SHON GORDON
BOSTON AREA TEACHER
Shon grew up with music at a very early age. His parents are both musicians...it was unavoidable! Shon hails from Northern California in the heart of the wine country. He decided to move to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music because of a sizable scholarship for his abilities on the bass guitar.
He found his passion for performance and writing music for many genres. He studied music education and graduated in 2010.Shon has played music on thousands of stages across the globe with world class performers. His strangest gig was at a converse shoe store during business hours.
With Rockabye Beats, Shon's goal is to make kids music as entertaining for the adults as it is for the kids, while at the same time, subliminally teaching basic Spanish vocabulary.
jarred grant
boston area teacher
Jarred Grant is a born entertainer from Portland, Oregon, who moved to Boston in 2004 to attend Berklee College of Music, studying performance, songwriting, and production.
A dedicated music teacher and performer, he has traveled extensively, even playing alongside Robby Krieger of The Doors.
With Rockabye Beats, Jarred shares his love of music, bringing people of all ages together, fostering connections, and sprinkling in music education along the way.
