Community Music Lesson Program Instructors

Philip Andrews

Philip Andrews

Percussion

Philip holds a Master's in Percussion from the College-Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor's in Percussion from the Hartt School of Music. He offers lessons in everything from drum set to concert percussion, including timpani, mallet percussion, and battery percussion. When he is not teaching, Philip maintains an active performance schedule playing percussion and drums for various local orchestras and musical theater productions, as well as steel drums for the Jimmy Buffett tribute show, Changes in Latitudes. Philip is the founder, manager, and main performer for his own steel drum group, Steel Accent Steelband.


Stephan Arsenault

Stephan Arsenault

Double Bass | Electric Bass

Stephan earned a bachelor's degree in music at Berklee College of Music, bachelor's degree in computer science at Fitchburg State University, and master's degree in computer science at Boston University. He has played bass with the Artie Barsamian Big Band and Swingtet, Winiker Swing Orchestra, Symphony Pro Musica, Central Mass Jazz Orchestra, Leominster Colonial Band, Ashby Band, and the Ramblin Floyds. Currently, Stephan is a member of the Hal McIntyre Orchestra, the Itchy Feet Jazz Nonet, and the Fitchburg State Community Orchestra. He plays bass in pit orchestras for musical theater productions and is Music Director for the Ashby First Parish Church.


Jane Fiske

Jane Fiske

Piano 

Jane Fiske, Professor of Humanities (Music) at Fitchburg State and former Humanities Department Chair and Interim Dean of the Division of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music education from Boston University and Master’s and Bachelor degrees in piano performance from New England Conservatory of Music. She studied with Maria Clodes Jaguaribe, Gabriel Chodos, and Maria Bono, and performed as recitalist throughout New England and as principal soloist with Indian Hill Symphony Orchestra, Salem Philharmonic Orchestra, Marlboro Symphony Orchestra, and Thayer Symphony Orchestra as winner of the Concerto Competition. Her CDs feature music by Scarlatti, Clara and Robert Schumann, Brahms, Villa-Lobos, Messiaen, Chopin and Debussy. She received the Vincent J. Mara Award for Excellence in Teaching at Fitchburg State.


Alex Fowler playing cello CMLP

Alex Fowler

Cello

Alex Fowler holds a B.A. in Cello Performance from Virginia Tech and an M.M. and G.D. from New England Conservatory. Alex has taught cello and coached ensembles at Virginia Tech Project, Jefferson Center in Virginia, Roanoke Symphony Summer Music Institute, Palaver Strings Music Center of Maine, NEC Preparatory School and Boston Bridge Charter School. He has performed with Boston Chamber Symphony, Phoenix Orchestra, Palaver Strings and Fermata Chamber Music Series. For his performances on BSO’s What I Hear series, Alex was awarded NEC’s 2019 John Cage Award for Performance in New Music.


Kristin Halliday

Kristin Halliday

Voice

Kristin Halliday, soprano, has been teaching voice for 17 years. Recipients of Helen Hayes and Wammies nominations, Cappies Awards including Best Vocalist, and 1st Place in the NAACP Act-SO and Golden Voices of America Competitions, her students have performed on and off BROADWAY, at the Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre, Arena Stage, and Carnegie Hall. Recognized by Maestro William Yannuzzi for her "exceptionally moving interpretation of almost all kinds of music." Kristin has been a featured soloist in Germany and Iceland, and won the Rosa Ponselle and Gretchen Hood Vocal Competitions.


David Hines

David Hines

Bass Guitar | Piano | Guitar | Ukulele

David Hines studied music composition at Berklee College, piano and music theory at The Manhattan School of Music. He studied bass and composition with jazz legend, Stanley Clarke. He  performed at Acton Jazz Cafe, Scullers, Johnny D's, Ryles, Spirit of Boston Cruises, and in house band at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City. Currently, he performs in David Hines Band and David Hines Trio, and tours nationally with The Peacheaters Band. He recorded and performed with Steve Hunt, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Michaud, Utar Artun, David Fiuczynski, Frank Tiberi, Miles Donahue, Fred Hirsch, Pete McCann, Joel Taylor, Steve Kirby, Bill Vint, Prasanna, and Pamela Hines. He recorded, composed, and co-produced internationally successful solo fusion project albums, Nebula, InnerDuality, and Kaleidoscope. Three of his bass students received the Luis Armstrong Award from The Juilliard College in New York.


Pamela Hines

Pamela Hines

Piano

Jazz pianist Pamela Hines received her Master's in Jazz from New England Conservatory. Her debut CD in 1998 earned her a guest spot on Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland in 2000. She has performed at clubs in New York, Boston and many other east coast venues. Three of her trio CDs have reached the top-20 national radio charts. Hines has been the host of Live Jazz New England, on 90.5-WICN, since October, 2012. She has worked with many jazz greats including Jerry Bergonzi, John Lockwood and Yoron Israel.


Roy Imperio

Roy Imperio

Piano

Born in the Philippines, Roy Imperio earned music degrees from the University of the Philippines and Andrews University and has taken master classes with Menahem Pressler at Indiana University. A dedicated piano teacher for more than three decades and a versatile pianist, he performs locally and internationally as a soloist, accompanist, collaborative pianist, and chamber musician. He has released two CDs: Music of Frederic Chopin: A Life of Passion and Holiday Music in New England with The Bulfinch Players. He is Director of Music at the Faith United Parish in Fitchburg and collaborative pianist at Boston Conservatory.


Roy Imperio

Elizabeth Jacoby

Violin

Elizabeth Jacoby earned a Master of Music from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Music from State University of New York at Fredonia. She performed in Western New York Chamber Orchestra, Rappahannock Pops Orchestra, Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, and Fredericksburg String Quartet. She has taught elementary and middle school orchestras in New Jersey and Virginia. Currently, she teaches music at the Alan McCulloch Strings Program in Leominster and at Messiah Lutheran Preschool, and she plays violin in the Fitchburg State Community Orchestra. 


Jacsonn Jean on stage in front of the piano

Jacsonn Jean 

Voice

Jacsonn earned bachelor’s degrees in Music Performance and Human Services from UMass Boston, where he received the Music Jury Award for outstanding performance and was a concerto competition winner. He performed as soloist with UMass Boston Chamber Orchestra, Brockton Symphony Orchestra, Somerville Community Chorus and UMass Boston Chamber Singers. He performed the national anthem at commencement ceremonies at UMass Boston and at the World Dance Competition in Boston. He performs regularly at churches, weddings, and political events, and he plays many musical instruments. Originally from Haiti, Jacsonn is a married father of 4 children, a devout Christian, a Worship Leader, and Choir Director.


Matthew Kim

Matthew Kim

Saxophone | Clarinet | Flute

Matthew Kim earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) with a double major in Music Education and Classics. He earned a master's degree in saxophone performance at the Longy School of Music. He played saxophone in National Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall under the direction of H. Robert Reynolds, Worcester County Light Opera Company, Holy Cross Graduation Band, and Fantasy Big Band in Hopedale. He played flute at After Hours Arts Program in Lynn MA. A Massachusetts Department of Education certified music educator, he has taught master classes, beginning jazz improv, and individual lessons, and he has been a counselor and teacher for middle and high school students at UNH's Summer Youth Music School.


Joe LaRocca photo with flute

Joe LaRocca

Flute | Piccolo | Pan Flute | Recorder | Clarinet | Saxophone

Joe earned B.M. in saxophone performance from Columbia College in Chicago, M.M in multi-wind performance from Northern Illinois University, and Artist Diploma in flute performance from Longy School of Music. He played tenor sax, flute and clarinet in over 450 performances of the national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Joe is the artistic director of the Bosch Ensemble, a baroque ensemble, and the Excelsis (flute and soprano) Duo. He has performed flute/piccolo in the Du Bois Orchestra, Metropolitan Wind Symphony, The Cape Symphony, Belmont Festival Orchestra, and Boston Chamber Symphony.

photo @ susan wilson
susanwilsonphoto.com


Lydia Lucas Percussion Community Music

Lydia Lucas

Percussion

Lydia earned a bachelor of arts degree in music from Salem State and a master’s degree in Modern American Music from the Longy School of Music of Bard College where she studied marimba, chamber music, orchestral percussion, and jazz. Lydia received third place for her marimba performance of Keiko Abe’s Michi in the New England Intercollegiate Band’s Solo and Ensemble concert. She participated in So Percussion Summer Institute and the Keiko Abe Marimba Academy, and she is the founding director of the modern classical chamber group, The Stone Soup Ensemble.


Amy McGlothlin

Amy McGlothlin

Saxophone | Clarinet | Bagpipes

Amy holds degrees in saxophone performance from Marshall University, the Longy School of Music and Boston University where she studied with Ed Bingham and Ken Radnofsky. Amy is a multi instrumentalist, teaching saxophone, clarinet, and bagpipes in New England since 2003. Amy is the current Director of Bands at Fitchburg State University and a member of the Pharos Saxophone Quartet, Triage Woodwind Ensemble and Pipe Major of Clan MacPherson Pipes and Drums. Amy is a Rovner Products Ambassador.


Maria Ramey Flutist, Community Music Program

Maria Ramey

Flute / Flute Choir

Maria earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in music therapy from California State University Northridge and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. She plays principal flute/piccolo in North Worcester County Symphony Orchestra, New England Film Orchestra, Firebird Pops Orchestra, and Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra. Maria performs for weddings, chamber music events, and in pit orchestras for musicals. She conducts and plays contrabass in flute choirs. A flute instructor for 25 years, Maria is a board-certified music therapist in private practice.


Cynthia Bryndis Schilling CMLP

Cynthia Bryndis Schilling

Piano, Violin, Viola

Cynthia earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from University of Massachusetts Amherst Commonwealth Honors College, where she received the Chancellor’s Talent Award and Eugenie M. May Piano Award for outstanding musicianship. She studied piano with Gilles Vonsattel, Elinor Freer, Roy Imperio, and Dr. Jane Fiske. She performed solo piano and chamber music at Bowdoin International Music Festival, Buffalo Center for 21st Century Music, and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. She performed (piano/violin/viola) in UMass Symphony Orchestra, Five-College Baroque Ensemble, UMass Women’s Choir, UMass Percussion Ensemble, Symphony Pro Musica, and Fitchburg State Community Orchestra.


Hildur Schilling

Hildur Schilling

Violin | Viola

Hildur Schilling received a full scholarship (Artistic Achievement Award) to study violin and viola performance at Meadow School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, where she also majored in psychology. She earned a doctorate in cognitive psychology from UMass Amherst and is Professor of Psychological Science at Fitchburg State, where she conducts the Fitchburg State Community Orchestra. Hildur played violin/viola in Waco Symphony, East Texas Symphony, Wichita Falls Symphony, Thayer Symphony, Manchester Music Festival, and Killington Music Festival. Currently, she enjoys playing violin and viola in chamber music ensembles and in pit orchestras for musical theater productions.


Mark St. Laurent

Mark St. Laurent

Voice

Bass-baritone Mark St. Laurent earned a B.M., M.M., and Performer’s Certificate from Indiana University. He studied with Carlos Alexander, Camilla Williams, John Humphry, and Ruud Van de Meer. He sang solos at Aspen Music Festival, Bach Aria Festival, Boston Lyric Opera, Lake George Opera, Monadnock Music, Indian Hill Symphony, and the Liederkranz Foundation. He sang opera for productions of La Bohème, Madame Butterfly, Die Zauberflöte, Don Giovanni, The Barber of Seville, and The Elixir of Love. Students from his studio include regional/national finalists and winners of Metropolitan Opera Guild and performers with Metropolitan Opera, St. Louis Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Utah Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Boston Lyric Opera. Mark has taught at New England Conservatory and Brandeis University.


Jodi Helenora Stevens

Jodi Helenora Stevens

Electric Bass

Jodi earned a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music with concentrations in Education and Electric Bass performance. She has played electric bass in The Mix ‘Em Ups, 8 Misbehavin’ (an 8 piece jazz band), and pit orchestras for musical theater productions. She performed her bass composition Simpatico at the women’s musical festival Alive by Her Own Hand at Brandeis University. Some of her compositions have been used in a film, a radio play, and a compilation cd. Jodi has taught lessons for over 20 years.


Laurie Strubbe

Laurie Strubbe

Cello

Laurie Strubbe, B.A in Music from Eastern Kentucky University, M.M. in Music Education from University of Miami. Laurie is the Principal Cellist for Merrimack Valley Symphony and Fitchburg State Community Orchestra. She also plays cello for Kimberly Consort and Thayer Symphony Orchestra. She has performed in Puccini Festival Orchestra and ensembles for Cranberry Coast Concerts. Laurie has taught cello for over 25 years.


Ning Tien

Ning Tien

Cello

Born in Beijing, Dr. Ning Tien is a performer and teacher of violoncello, piano, chamber and orchestra ensembles. With over 30 years of experience, her career as a cellist has taken her around the globe from Boston to Bali, and from New York to Beijing, as well as to numerous cities in the U.S. and Europe. A resident of Massachusetts, she is the founding member of the New England Piano Trio.


Eddy Troxler playing guitar

Eddy Troxler

Guitar

Eddy Troxler holds a bachelor's degree in professional music from Berklee College of Music and a master's degree in education from UMASS Boston. He performs classical, jazz, blues, country and rock guitar as a soloist and as a band musician. A composer and arranger, he has written a beginning guitar method. He has taught music at Mt. Wachusett Community College, Saint Williams Elementary School in Dorchester, Holy Rosary School in Gardner, and Mason Elementary School in New Hampshire.


Joseph Wright

Joseph Wright

Tuba | Trumpet | Trombone | Euphonium | French Horn

Joe holds degrees in music education from the University of New Hampshire and Boston University, where he studied tuba with Nicolas Orovich and J. Samuel Pilafian, respectively. He has been teaching music for over thirty years in Waterville, ME, Chelsea, MA, Boston University, and Andover, MA. Since 2001, Joe has maintained a studio of private brass students and has taught band in Andover schools. He has been an active member of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, serving regularly on either district or statewide concert committees since 2003.​