TEACHING

Teaching music is such a big 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 ridiculously 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 in Watertown, Massachusetts. I’m currently accepting students of all levels on mandolin, acoustic guitar, fiddle, and clawhammer banjo.

Please fill out the form below if you are interested in studying with me.

The Passim School of Music

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.

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.

I had just moved to Boston in 2015. Within my first week I found myself walking down a narrow flight of stairs to a magical little music venue. It felt like the place vibrated at the same frequency that I did. At the end of that night I decided that I was going to do everything in my power to be around this place as much as possible. Over the years I’ve worn many hats - performer, front desk, box office, and currently performance manager/live sound engineer, teaching artist, Folk Collective member. To summarize: If you need to track me down, Passim is be a great place to start.

Since joining the Passim School of Music in 2020 I’ve had the pleasure of teaching the following course:

  • Intro to Mandolin, Intermediate Mandolin, and Mandolin Study Group

  • Bluegrass Ensemble (co-teachers: Trevin Nelson, Hazel Royer)

  • Dolly Parton Ensemble (co-teacher: Tader Shipley)

  • Queens of Country Music Ensemble (co-teacher: Tader Shipley)

  • Roots of Country Music: The Carter Family & Lesley Riddle Ensemble

  • Roots of Country Music: Jimmie Rodgers Ensemble

  • Intro to Tune Writing, Intro to Bluegrass Jamming, and Bluegrass Soloing

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.

If you want to make music and spend time with lovely, kind, talented, and funny people then you have to find your way to Concord Conservatory! It has been so inspiring to be a part of the revival that our American Roots Music program has experienced post-pandemic. We have so much coming up over the next year - concerts, workshops, group classes, ensembles and band scrambles to name a few!

Here is how you can make music with me at CCM: