TEACHING
Teaching music is an integral part of what it means for me to be an artist.
When folks ask what I teach, I like to say that I teach “social music”. Music that nourishes community and feeds our soul, not just music with the intent of performance or merit. I teach music as a language and believe that learning to communicate through a musical instrument is one of the most rewarding skills we can learn, and without a doubt my favorite ways to socialize and spend time with others.
I’m seriously lucky to work with a pair of great non-profit education organizations, The Passim School of Music and Concord Conservatory of Music, in addition to running my own private home studio, Maxfield Anderson Teaching Studio in Watertown, Massachusetts. I’m currently accepting students of all levels on mandolin, acoustic guitar, fiddle, and clawhammer banjo.
The Passim School of Music
The Passim School of Music, found in 2000, offers classes, master classes, workshops, and private lessons to adults in an engaging and informal setting. The School of Music at Club Passim is an open and highly creative environment that encourages students to excel beyond their ability and truly hone their craft. Part of the Passim mission is to create and encourage a vibrant music community, and the school is a fundamental part of this mission.
For over 60 years, Club Passim has been known as a premier listening room, presenting both new and established performers in a huge variety of genres ranging from folk to Celtic to jazz. The historic music venue, located in the heart of Harvard Square, presents more than 400 shows per year to an audience of over 30,000.
Concord Conservatory of Music is a nonprofit music school serving Concord, MA and 15 surrounding communities. We are a creative and supportive community of musicians at all ages and levels. CCM’s mission is to foster a sense of community through music by providing accessible, high-quality music education and performance opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.
Past group classes taught at Passim or Concord Conservatory:
Bluegrass Ensemble | Old Time Ensemble | Dolly Parton Ensemble | Queens of Country Music Ensemble | Instrumental Tune Writing | Intro to Mandolin | Mandolin Study Group | Intro to Bluegrass Jamming | Bluegrass Soloing & Improvising | Bluegrass Vocals | Bluegrass Vocal Harmony | Roots of Country Music: Carter Family & Lesley Riddle | Roots of Country Music: Jimmie Rodgers