Framingham Music Lessons

ium on Violin Studies at the Juilliard School in NYC, and the ASTA National Conference in Providence, RI. She has a thorough understanding of pedagogy and a true passion for teaching students of all ages and abilities. Jenae's students play in youth orchestras and chamber ensembles in the Boston Metro area such as the Clafflin Hill Youth Symphony and at the Rivers Conservatory.
Jenae is on the violin, viola and chamber music faculty at the Rivers Conservatory, teaches at the Cambridge Music Consortium and maintains a private studio in Boston. Jenae's hobbies include yoga, learning foreign languages, and learning other instruments such as the classical guitar and mandolin.

than 30 years, I am currently the Director of Worship for the chapel at Gordon College, a small Christian school north of Boston. I'm often involved in city-wide music events in Boston’s faith-based community and in demand as a featured musician for church services, parties, concerts and other events.

I hold a Masters of Music from New England Conservatory in Jazz Piano and am comfortable and fluent in a number of musical styles. In addition to private lessons and performing, I do music transcription, workshops, and all forms of vocal and instrumental arranging. My passions include morning coffee, finding new guitar chords, creating killer PowerPoint presentations, and trying to figure out how to use my smart phone.

*** Lesson Details ***
My priority as a teacher is to make the learning process fun, life-giving, and productive. I teach with patience and humor, at a challenging but not frustrating pace.

Some quotes from my students:
"I absolutely love learning from Bil! I've watched my playing and the playing of others at church vastly improve as a result of his training."

"[Bil] is filled with a large amount of knowledge, so while sitting under him you not only learn about how to play but you learn about music history and theory. Beyond being a good teacher he is genuine and friendly and cares about others."

"I have really enjoyed working with Bil. His patience and wealth of knowledge has helped me come out of my musical shell and has encouraged me to discover my musical voice."

"Bil makes learning theory fun! His deep understanding of music is complemented by his contagious enthusiasm."

"Bil has taken me to a different level. I went from tab and basic guitar chords, to building jazz chords and a far greater understanding of music theory."

There are at least two ways that might set me apart from other teachers.

Firstly, I have honed and developed "people skills". I am an ordained minister and have held positions where I was formally and informally in a mentoring/pastoring role. I bring that sensitivity to my music lessons, understanding that personal and emotional issues can be triggered by the engagement with the music and skills being worked on.

Secondly, I've had a remarkable broad base of experience. My coursework has exposed me to a wide breadth of ideas and tools; my work life has been long and varied; I have had extensive experience in many different cultural contexts, both musically and otherwise; and I work well with many age groups and skill levels.

Regarding my teaching approach:
For beginners, I have a fairly consistent set of topics and skill sets to cover. Generally, in a few months, piano students (particularly those in middle school through adulthood) should know how to play major, minor and seventh chords, how to read simple chord charts and some very basic accompanying skills. Guitar students should know a dozen open chords and have been introduced to barre chords, and to have learned several styles of finger picking as well as strumming. Bass students should know how to find notes on the board and will have begun to learn how to fill out a song with an expressive but non-obtrusive bass line.

For intermediate students, the pace, direction and focus on lessons depends upon the goals and passions of the student along with the amount of time he or she has to practice. My goals for students at this level and beyond is to learn how to learn. I will use outstanding recorded examples of particular skills or stylistic idioms to help my students understand and master each new concept. I often will check in with my student to make sure that we are on track with what they are hoping for.

For advanced students, we will generally target very specific objectives. I also try to add elements of theory, history, culture, and even life lessons to apply to the topics we address. Because of my background in pastoral ministry, I can serve as a mentor addressing the emotional and relational issues of playing music as well as its technical aspects.

*** Studio Equipment ***
upstairs music room: fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, amps, drum set, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
if for guitar or bass, that instrument; I expect piano students to have an available keyboard and for other students to have their own instrument(s).

*** Specialties ***
strong in jazz, rock, pop, gospel, sacred, R&B.

iversity of Ohio and has moved to the Metro-west MA area to begin his teaching career, while maintaining his active trumpet performance lifestyle.

holding in my profile picture!) This instrument is a bit like a cello crossed with a guitar. It's played with a bow, but the neck has frets. Playing the "gamba" (or "viol") can be a gymnastics workout for the left hand, but once you get the hang of it, you can play beautiful chords. This is the instrument that is featured in the French film "Tous les matins du monde".

Aside from music, I have taught English as a Foreign and Second Language (in Bulgaria with Peace Corps, in New Mexico with Berlitz, at the U. of New Mexico). I would be very pleased to help students of any age with reading, listening comprehension, and writing!

cademy in Ukraine. My career continues in recitals in Hungary, Israel, Ukraine, USA, England, Syria , South Africa and Norway.

d. After two years of dialysis, I had a successful kidney transplant in 2007! I credit the experience for adding depth, purpose and identity to my songwriting.

When teaching songwriting, I like to take a holistic approach. Students learn to recognize, explore and apply the four basic building blocks of songs, Rhythm, Melody, Harmony and Lyrics. My lessons also focus on helping students express themselves authentically and discover their original musical identity. Above all I believe that songwriting should be fun and stress-free. I aim to create an atmosphere in which the student feels relaxed and confident.

My goal is to get you to where you want to be. I believe that anyone with a desire to write songs can: I will give you the tools, and you decide what you'll decide what you want to build with them.

I look forward to working with you and helping you along your songwriting journey.

Turkish and Western music background. Additionally, I have also performed on campus recitals with my organic world fusion and Turkish music band "The Çay Party". With different versions of The Çay Party I have represented Berklee and Turkish music
in several different Northeastern University festivals and Turkish Consulate of Boston's receptions since February 2015. I was the leader of "Music of Turkey" sections in Berklee International Folk Music Festival in 2016 and 2017.
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I won "Best Website Award" for the versatility of my portfolio and my presentation of it in 2017, and I received "Mediterranean Music Institute Achievement Award" in 2017 at the night of the Aynur Doğan concert which I arranged 3 of Aynur's songs.
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In Berklee's Commencement Concert 2017, I was one of the 10 student arrangers and 3 male backing vocalists in front of 7.000 audience including honorary doctorate recipients such as Lionel Richie, and the Grammy President Neil Portnow. Additionally I had the honor to be chosen as the student to announce Lionel Richie.
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Besides being a writer, arranger and producer, I am a vocalist who features Western contemporary music, Turkish classical, traditional, and contemporary music in my repertoire. I am able to sing microtonally, with knowledge of Turkish and Egyptian microtonal tradition. He plays bağlama, bass guitar, piano, guitar, and hand percussion.