Mark L is the founder of The Decades Band, serving as both lead vocalist and lead guitarist. His lifelong passion for music began at just five years old when he picked up his first guitar — and he hasn’t stopped playing since.

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Growing up in a home filled with music, Mark was surrounded by the powerful sounds of orchestral recordings and legendary performers like Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck, often played at full volume. By age ten, determined to upgrade his instrument, Mark convinced his parents to buy him a new guitar after successfully learning every song on his mother’s favorite Engelbert album — a challenge that helped shape his dedication and work ethic as a musician.

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At fifteen, after several years of formal lessons, Mark joined a 1950s-style band alongside musicians much older than himself. Despite the early embarrassment of his mom driving him to rehearsals and gigs, the experience ignited his confidence and led him to form his own bands throughout high school. These formative years eventually led to co-founding New Jersey bands such as SureFire and The Time Travelers, both known for performing a wide range of genres spanning multiple musical decades.

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Now living in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, Mark has brought that same successful, crowd-connecting formula to The Decades Band.

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When asked about the group’s mission, Mark simply says:

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“The goal of The Decades Band is to perform hits from the 50s through the 2000s — so there’s truly something for everyone.”

As the newest member of The Decades Band, Zoee brings vibrant energy to the stage with both lead and backing vocals, along with a variety of instrumental talents. A musician almost from the moment she could walk, Zoee has always been drawn to music, movement, and performance. Her love for singing and dancing first appeared as a toddler, joyfully moving to music at church — a passion that has only grown stronger over the years.

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Inspired by an elementary school orchestra teacher, Zoee began studying violin and soon expanded her musical journey under the guidance of dedicated chorus and saxophone mentors. She has competed at the New York State level in both violin and voice and has become a familiar face in local theater, performing with the Penn Yan Theatre Company (PYTCO) and Penn Yan drama productions. Her stage credits include Press Start, Once Upon an Island, The Little Mermaid, Shrek Jr., and Head Over Heels. Beyond performing, Zoee also gives back as a PYTCO counselor and serves as a member of the Penn Yan United Methodist Praise Band.

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Offstage, Zoee is an animal lover who enjoys gaming, watching Netflix, and exploring all styles of music — with Billie Eilish and Bruno Mars among her current favorites. Whether her future leads her to medicine, Broadway, or both, one thing is certain: Zoee brings heart, talent, and contagious joy wherever she performs.

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Most of all, she simply loves to have fun — and audiences feel that energy every time she steps on stage.

During Friday and Saturday nights as a graduate student living in Richmond, Virginia, Matt could often be found in small, packed venues, moshing and shouting along with crowds as distorted guitars echoed through the city’s vibrant punk and metal scene. Back in 2009, he never imagined that his evolving love of music would eventually lead him to become a musician himself.

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After returning home to the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, Matt picked up an instrument for the very first time when a family friend suggested he learn bass guitar to accompany informal living room concerts for friends and family. The duo began performing classics by Chuck Berry, The Beatles, and Neil Young — humble beginnings that soon grew into a four-piece cover band.

Over the next 15 years, their repertoire expanded to include artists such as The Eagles, Johnny Cash, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Ventures, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many more, spanning generations of timeless music.

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And for fellow metal fans — Matt never left his heavier roots behind. Alongside his twin brother, a guitarist, he has also formed punk and metal projects with musicians from the Rochester area, continuing to write original music in those genres whenever time allows.

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Today, Matt is on a mission to deliver the driving low-end sound that anchors the music of every era, bringing the rhythm and energy of decades past to life with The Decades Band.

 

Mark C joined The Decades band as a long-time musician: he has been “tickling the ivory” since he was 5 years old when his mom, a piano teacher, began giving him lessons.  At a young age, Mark was introduced to a variety of music including classical, pop, rock, country, and musicals. 

Fittingly, Mark cites The Beatles, The Police, Cheap Trick, and musicals including Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, and West Side Story as his primary influences (and of course, his mom!).

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 Interestingly, Mark’s family was among those who originally settled in Yates County as they were followers of Jemima Wilkinson.  Over the course of 40 years, Mark has played as a church organist at several churches including those in Penn Yan, Stanley, and Geneva. During this time, Mark also played keyboard for church praise bands.

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After 35 years as an employee of New York State, Mark retired and when he is not behind a piano, he enjoys fishing, exercising, and watching sports...and yes, riding Stingray style bicycles from the early 70s!​​

Jay joined the school band in 4th grade and fell in love with the way his drum beats propelled the marching band. While in high school, Jay’s music teachers, one being a drum instructor and the other being lead of the music department, each mentored Jay and encouraged his exploration of music.

 

Jay was hooked!  His parents purchased him a drum kit comprised of home-made and Ludwig pieces, which he still has today.  Jay spent countless hours on this drum kit learning songs by Boston, AC/DC, Kiss, Molly Hatchet, Skynyrd, Journey, Styx, and Rush.

 

Jay also learned to emulate the vocals of these artists and developed his abilities as a singer.  He put these talents to work by forming garage bands, playing at parties, and delving into song writing. These influences can be heard today as Jay holds down the groove, sings lead vocals, and harmonizes with the members of Decades.

 

Jay’s love for music, like the steady beat of a drum, continues to be inspired by seeing people filled with joy as they are surrounded by melody and rhythm.

Maura Brooks is a folk and alternative singer-songwriter from Penn Yan, New York, whose sound is shaped by the storytelling spirit of Joni Mitchell, the bold edge of Ani DiFranco, and the free-flowing soul of the Grateful Dead. Writing and performing music since the eighth grade, Maura brings warmth, honesty, and vibrant energy to every stage she steps onto.

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Her performances blend personal reflection with a genuine desire to connect, creating moments where audiences feel both the emotion and the joy she pours into her music. With raw passion and an authentic presence, Maura’s artistry adds a dynamic and heartfelt dimension to every performance.

Maura Brooks is a folk and alternative singer-songwriter from Penn Yan, New York, whose sound is shaped by the storytelling spirit of Joni Mitchell, the bold edge of Ani DiFranco, and the free-flowing soul of the Grateful Dead. Writing and performing music since the eighth grade, Maura brings warmth, honesty, and vibrant energy to every stage she steps onto.

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Her performances blend personal reflection with a genuine desire to connect, creating moments where audiences feel both the emotion and the joy she pours into her music. With raw passion and an authentic presence, Maura’s artistry adds a dynamic and heartfelt dimension to every performance.

Michaela is a dynamic vocalist who brings her signature harmonies and vibrant stage presence to every performance. She has been singing for as long as she can remember. With a B.F.A. in Musical Theater and currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Music Education and Vocal Pedagogy, she combines artistry with technical excellence in everything she does.

When she’s not on stage, Michaela shares her passion with the next generation as a 7–12th grade Chorus teacher and theatre director at Lyons Central School District, encouraging young performers to find confidence and joy through music. She believes music is a language that spans generations — a connection she experiences daily in the classroom and one that beautifully aligns with her love for the timeless songs she performs with The Decades Band, where classics from every era continue to bring people together.