Mattapan Music Lessons

working together to turn musical fantasies into realities.

From grade school to high school I took rigorous classical piano lessons. In 2006-07 I attended two summer programs at Berklee College of Music where I studied jazz/rock performance, and continued to study jazz piano at Washington University.

At Boston University, I studied classical music composition/theory, and was accepted to for a dual degree in Music Composition, Psychology, but decided to pursue music as a minor in order to allow more time for gigging. Since relocating to Boston, I have performed 250+ shows in various ensembles around the greater Boston area.

*** Lesson Details ***
As your private instructor, I am here to give you the most rewarding, interesting, and enjoyable lessons in the UNIVERSE. My lessons are are catered to your specific goals and where you are at, beginner to advance, 5-1000 years old. I am here to get you to where you want to go, whether that's taking up a new hobby or becoming a virtuoso. Together, we will do it!

In our lessons we will work on:

- Your favorite songs, any style
- Writing your own music
- How to learn music by ear
- How to read music notation and chord sheets.
- How to record/produce yourself
- really, seriously, ANYTHING YOU WANT!

I know what it's like to have a teacher that is uninspiring, or to be told that a certain kind of music is the "right kind to learn," when all you want to do is jam out to your favorite songs on the radio. I've been there. That's not what I'm about. I'll teach you how to play whatever it is you want to learn, whether that's the complete works of Bach or the latest One Direction song. Let's do it.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Digital Piano, Synthesizer, Digital Audio Workstation, Recording Equipment.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Piano and voice students must provide piano/keyboard.

*** Specialties ***
My experience is primarily with pop/rock/jazz/classical music, but we can do any genre/style you'd like!

it in their respective genres. Improvisation is a truly important aspect of playing music, and one which I will give due focus to. Besides this, I will teach the student technique, chords, scales, songs (chosen by both the student and, at times, myself), and later on: theory (including harmony and ear training).

I have a Master's Certificate in Theory, Harmony and Ear Training from Berklee College of Music's online extension.

*** Lesson Details ***
In my 'about me' section I have laid out in a general fashion what I will teach you.

I am very patient with my students. I focus on the qualities of effortless action, patience, contentment with our current abilities while striving to attain (eventual) mastery.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide an acoustic guitar, a tuner, picks, and sheet music. I expect the student to have a guitar, a tuner, extra strings, and picks.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in modal improvisation. I also can teach some art philosophy and philosophy related to art.

cipated in masterclasses led by Betsy Bishop, Kathryn Cowdrick, and Martin Katz while in the United States, and in masterclasses led by Angelika Kirchschlager and Luigi Marzola while studying and performing in Europe.

Kristen holds a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and German studies from Furman University where she graduated summa cum laude. She is currently working on her Master of Music degree in vocal pedagogy at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her teachers include Lisa Saffer, Ian Howell, Lisa Barksdale, Jill Feldman, and Trudy Fuller.

Kristen has also performed and directed in the musical theater world, participating in productions such as: Into the Woods, Les Miserables, H.M.S. Pinafore, Brigadoon, The King and I, Grease, Hello Dolly!, Cabaret, and many others.

In addition to her solo singing, she is an active choral singer, having performed in both small and large ensembles for more than 10 years.

In 2018, due to my dedication to social justice and health, I received the Berklee Health and Wellness leadership award.

I began composing for guitar in 2014 and later started writing for chamber ensembles and orchestra. My concert works have been performed and workshopped by a variety of performers at Berklee College of Music as well as highly-established and reputable ensembles such as the MIVOS quartet, Loadbang and String noise.

In 2018, my composition “Consciousness” String Quartet No.1 (2017) recieved the Bill Maloof award from the Berklee Composition Department and was featured on the annual Professional Writing Departments CD.

I continue to reside in Boston, MA, pursuing teaching opportunities and continuing to perform and compose.

nadian Maritimes, and Alaska, playing jazz sets and accompanying cabaret singers and other guest entertainers on the mainstage. While aboard ship, Jeff devoted his free time to his own musical development and composition, culminating in the work All the Anthills, an etude for solo violin in 5-limit extended just intonation. (This piece was later premiered by violinist Isabella Costanza and was the subject of Jeff’s Capstone project for his Theory Minor at NEC.)

Jeff’s teaching career began coaching musical theater students at the Theater Arts Workshop in his native Westchester County, New York. While still in his early teens, Jeff maintained a busy performing schedule, participating in and having works performed by ensembles such as the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Jazz Big Band and Small Jazz Ensemble and the InterSchool Orchestras of New York Symphony. He was concurrently selected to conduct a six week internship directing the school bands in his own elementary and middle schools. During the summers, he worked as a counselor at summer music festivals such as the New York State Summer Music Festival and French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. During his time at NEC, Jeff completed another semester-long teaching internship, which included mentoring a college student at Emmanuel College in music reading skills, piano, and music theory. Since his recent graduation from NEC in May 2018, he has kickstarted a private music teaching studio in a pursuit to give back to the musical community from which he has learned so much.

iolin at the Bermuda School of Music.

In the United States he has taught at The Bravo Summer Music Academy, The Saint Joseph School of Music, The Saint Paul Conservatory of Music, Wichita State University, and has given guest lectures at The Longy School of Music of Bard College, Eastern Illinois University, and Northeastern University.