Music Lessons in Hubbardston, MA

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo

Students learn best in a relaxed, nurturing environment.  I believe in order to successfully teach, I need to be encouraging, and truly care about the students.  My goal is to always have the students improve.  To do this, I think students need a well-balanced diet of tone (Moyse De la Senorite can be used), technique (scales for younger students, Maquarre Daily Excercises or Taffanel and Gaubert Daily Excercises for more advanced students), etudes (Melodious and Progressive Studies), and pieces (I consult the NYSSMA manual for appropriate pieces for the students level).  Having taken Alexander Technique, I strongly emphasize posture so that students can use their bodies in the most efficient way.  Individualized instruction allows for teachers to cater to the needs of the student, challenging the students without frustrating them.  Everyone is unique and learns at different rates, so no two lessons will ever be the same.  I teach students how to practice, so that they can progress outside of the 30 min. or hour long lesson.  As for performance standards, I have used rubrics for tone, technique, articulation, phrasing, and breathing.  Once strengths and weaknesses are assed, I create a plan to help the student improve, which is what students and teachers want to hear. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Euphonium

For beginning students who are children, I start with Standard of Excellence by Bruce Pearson. This is a great, simple and streamlined approach to developing instrument technique and music reading skills. In addition to Pearson, I use my own lesson plans and materials which are primarily informed by the H.L. Clarke method. For intermediates and above , I use the H.L. Clarke, James Stamp, and J.B. Arban methods variously. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

Outside of performing, Tommy teaches brass extensively both online and in person with 10 years of international teaching experience. He serves as the brass faculty of the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest, and teaches brass at Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio and Brimmer and May School. Over the years, he also maintains a private studio of horn, trumpet, trombone and euphonium students of all ages, located throughout the United States and Hong Kong across six different time zones. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have been a professional bassist since the age of 17, performing and giving private lessons in lieu of a traditional after school job. Throughout my career, I have played in a variety of different projects across a wide spectrum of genres and have a solid understanding of most styles of music. I impart on my students a strong set of musical and technical fundamentals that apply to any and all styles of music, and only teach concepts and exercises that I myself have personally benefitted from. Read More

Instruments: Flute Recorder Music

I am a flutist with 20+ years experience teaching private lessons all over the world. After I graduated with my bachelors in Music Performance, I moved to Central Asia where I helped to open a music school for underprivileged children, and I played in the National Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. I have since then received my Masters in Music Education, and moved to the Middle East where I taught both private lesson and classroom music for 10 years. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Viola Banjo Ukulele

My students cover a wide range, from bluegrass to concert classical. The correct technique is, in my experience, the one that will be able to underlay any musical style. For example, if the left hand is flexible and well-formed, then blues, Bach and flamenco all will come more easily. This core is essential, because even at the most beginning stages, the student should be able to play with musical expression. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

The combination of technique, sheet music, sight reading and music tracks that the student want to learn is a great way for the students to learn at their own pace. Practicing every day or every other day and having a track when playing each week can really develop your playing. Practicing for 10-50 minutes is ideal, rather than, only practicing for 3 hours one day a week. Always having a principle short goal or long term goal on the guitar or any instrument is really important to always keep you going forward as a musician. Read More