Break of Reality is one of the only rock bands that does not feature a vocalist, guitarist, or bassist in its lineup. Instead the group features three cellists and a percussionist who combine the beauty of classical music with the energy and chaos of rock. Break of Reality's mission is to create instrumental music that challenges traditional expectations and unifies conflicting genres.

Break of Reality is something that fans of all genres can agree on. Their universal sound attracts a diverse range of listeners; classical opera buffs, hip-hop artists, hard rock head bangers, business professionals, college students, and just about everyone in between are mesmerized by their music. The group's versatility has allowed them to perform at nearly every type of venue, from popular New York City rock clubs such as The Knitting Factory and Joe's Pub to classical music halls such as Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music and the Nabenhauer Recital Hall at Ithaca College.

Break of Reality has entertained college audiences at educational institutions such as Cornell University, Columbia University, SUNY Geneseo, Roberts Wesleyan College, and the University of Rochester. Additionally, the group is actively involved in educational outreach programs for high school, middle school, and elementary school music students. Break of Reality has worked with students at the Celia Cruz Bronx High School, Brandeis High School, Cobblestone School, Penfield High School, the Kanack School of Music, and the Hochstein School of Music. Their workshops and performances challenge students to broaden their perspective of instrumental music.

Break of Reality was formed in 2003 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Although the group started as a casual side project, the members quickly recognized its potential and became increasingly committed to the group. Break of Reality has released two independent albums—Voiceless (2004) and The Sound Between (2006)—which have sold thousands of copies in the United States and around the world in countries such as Germany, Spain, Australia, England, Canada, and Brazil.

In June 2007, Break of Reality will travel to Sacramento, California for a series of guest appearances at the 13th Annual New Directions Cello Festival, a symposium for alternative and non-classical cellists. The group is also currently planning tours throughout the United States and abroad.



Patrick Laird holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Steven Doane. Just this past year, he was also awarded the prestigous Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School.  His former teachers have included Clive Greensmith of the Tokyo String Quartet, Amir Eldan, and Qiang Tu of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He studied with Joel Krosnick, George Sopkin, and Jerry Grossman for two summers at Kneisel Hall in Maine, and Orlando Cole, Richard Aaron, and Bruce Uchimura during two summers at the ENCORE School for Strings where he was chosen to participate in the Intensive String Quartet Seminar with the Cavani String Quartet. Patrick was a member of the New York Youth Symphony Chamber Music Program for 2 years and has performed in masterclasses with Pamela Frank, Cho-Liang Lin, Ida and Ani Kavafian, Yehuda Hanani, Fred Sherry, Bonnie Hampton, and Peter Wiley. He has performed twice at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, including a performance of the Brahms Sextet with Ida Kavafian. In addition to a passion for chamber music, Patrick is an avid composer.

Erin Keesecker began her classical training at the age of four with Suzuki piano lessons. At age nine, she added the cello, studying with David Bjella, cellist of the Inman Piano Trio, the Iris Chamber Orchestra, and Professor of Cello at Stetson University. By age 14, the cello became Erin's primary focus and passion. She was an active member of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra for eight years where she served as Principal Cellist, played with the Honors String Quartet, and toured Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic Erin has trained at various summer institutes including the Encore School for Strings, the Indiana University String Academy, the Indiana University Piano Academy, the Bowdoin Summer Arts Festival, and most recently, the 2006 Kent/Blossom Summer Music Festival. During these summer programs, her instructors and coaches have included Stephen Geber, Emilio Colon, Karen Taylor, Meta Watts, Phillip Ying, the Cavani String Quartet, and numerous members of the renowned Cleveland Orchestra. In May 2007, Erin graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance. During her four years at Eastman, Erin studied with David Ying, cellist of the Ying Quartet, and performed as co-principal of the Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra and the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra. In 2005 she was selected to travel with a small contingent of Eastman string students to Hiroshima, Japan The Eastman students performed a series of concerts and participated in the International Peace Celebration commemorating the 60th anniversary of the atomic bomb.

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music with a Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance, Christopher Thibdeau is one of three cellists in the progressive rock group Break of Reality. Christopher's work with this ensemble has led to many diverse musical opportunities. Performances with the group have led him from the streets of NYC to venues such as Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre; festivals such as the New Directions Cello Festival in Sacremento, California; and educational workshops with high schools and MENC conferences.
While at Eastman, Christopher studied cello with Professor Alan Harris and conducting with Professor Neil Varon. His past cello teachers include Tanya Carey, Rick Mooney, Judith Smith, and Pamela Devenport. Christopher began studying cello at the age of ten, and grew an interest in conducting at the age of twelve. He has been an active conductor with many community and student orchestras and ensembles, and has most recently conducted the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra in several performances. Christopher's conducting teachers include maestros Daniel D'Addio, Charles Peltz, Frank Battisti, and Kenneth Kiesler. He has participated in conducting programs such as the "Encountering Music: A Forum for Conductors" at the New England Conservatory of Music; the Conductor's Retreat at Medomak, Maine; and the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen. Christopher has also worked with conductors Marin Alsop, James de Priest, Leonard Slatkin, Murry Sidlin, and David Zinman in conducting master classes and score study sessions.

With influences ranging from Gordon Stout to Incubus, percussionist Ivan Trevino is immersed in both the classical and rock genres. Trevino is currently the percussionist and drummer for Break of Reality, a touring chamber rock ensemble based in New York City. As a member of Break of Reality, he has performed and lectured at numerous collegiate institutions, music festivals, rock venues, and performing arts centers around the country. Break of Reality’s most recent album, The Sound Between, has reached over 15,000 listeners across the globe. As a classical percussionist, Trevino was a Guest Artist at the 2004 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. He performed on a showcase concert with the Victoria Memorial Percussion Ensemble, premiering Uneven Surfaces, a new work by Brett Dietz. In 2004, Trevino performed in Carnegie Hall with the Eastman Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Mark Davis Scatterday. As a composer, Trevino was awarded 2nd prize in the 2007 Percussive Arts Society International Composition Contest for his work Memento, an idiomatic marimba solo with a pop sensibility. Memento is currently published by Honeyrock Publications. Trevino is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he majored in Percussion Performance and Music Education. Upon graduation, he was awarded the prestigious Performer's Certificate and the Zildjian Award for his accomplishments in percussion. His percussion teachers have included Phillip J. Mikula and John H. Beck. In 2007, Trevino received a Professional Certificate in Music Business from the Berklee College of Music’s extension school. Trevino is currently endorsed by Vic Firth Drumsticks and Mother Rhythm Hand Drums and Imports.