Tara Murphy earned her B.A. in theater and religious studies at Yale University, where she also began studying African dance. At this time Tara began exploring her heritage through African studies at Yale, and was awarded a fellowship to study traditional dance and drumming at the University of Legon in Ghana, West Africa. For the past 25 years, she has studied closely with many African and Afro-Caribbean artists in Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston. She recognizes the practice of African dance and drumming as a tremendous force for healing, meditation, empowerment and community. It is her greatest honor to share the inspiration of these ancient traditions. Tara teaches West African inspired dance and drumming for many programs within CMSS. She also shares therapeutic movement and drumming for many day programs for adults with disabilities, senior residences, recovery programs and mental health centers.

Trevor Pitts is a native of Springfield who came to find his passion in percussion at the age of 10 while visiting different churches in the New England area. In his early years he began taking lessons and guidance from legendary musician/percussionist Billy Arnold. Not only did Billy teach him about technique & musicianship but to always strive to do your best no matter what with a great attitude. After years of practice and playing he went on to accompany in numerous bands & ensembles in various genres such as The Charles Majid Greenlee Jazz Ensemble, Ethel Lee, The Jus Us Band, John Hanifin Band & a host of many singers, groups & poets. He also has been a member and musician for St. Johns Congregational Church for the past 17 years. His influences include drummers Teddy Campbell, Stanley Randolph, Sonny Emory, Richard Bailey, Buddy Rich, Philly Jo Jones, Dennis Chambers and many more. Today he continues to work to inspire people just as those that came before did for him.

Internationally recognized, award winning Cellist, Yoonhee Ko, counts the 64th Coleman Chamber Music Competition at the top of a long list of distinctions. During her collegiate career, she was featured as a soloist, winning concerto competitions at Ewha Woman’s University and Boston University Orchestra. As a recipient of the Aldo Parisot Prize, Ko earned her Master of Music Degree and Artist Diploma from the Yale School of Music. Her Doctorate in Cello Performance was accomplished under the tutelage of Rhonda Rider at Boston University. Among her many celebrated performances, Dr. Ko performed under the baton of Keith Lockhart with the Boston Pops Orchestra, offering a stunning rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations. Dr. Ko joined the faculty of Community Music School of Springfield, MA in 2018 and is engaged with Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and Bethany Assembly of God Orchestra. Dr. Ko is currently managed by Three Owls Agency.

Take private lessons with me if…

If you believe playing cello should feel natural, joyful, and comfortable, and you want to learn through a pain-free, body-aware approach that supports both ease and musical expression. I work with students of all ages and levels, from young beginners to advanced players, focusing on making music with intention and freedom.

Yoonhee’s Student Testimonials

“Yoonhee breaks down new techniques into discrete steps and works through the steps at my speed.”

Rick Marshall has been active on the music scene in Western Mass for over 50 years. He has performed regionally with such acts as The Floyd Patterson band, the jazz fusion band Street Temperature, Dynomite Disco Revue, and The Ethel Lee Group. He has toured nationally with Matt “Guitar” Murphy of Blues Brothers fame, Souled Out Motown tribute band, The Temptations Revue, and The Manhattans, and internationally with the band New Star. While Rick maintains a rigorous playing schedule, he has also been a faculty member of the Community Music School of Springfield teaching drumset since 1998. He co-directs CMSS’ Sonido Musica program, which has been instrumental in bringing music back into the curriculum of 30+ schools in Springfield and Holyoke MA, providing instruments, instruction and performance opportunities to over 1,000 students.

Take private lessons with me if…

If you’re a beginner student, study with me if you want to gain basic skills on the drumset, learn some cool beats, and finally and most importantly, have fun doing it! If you are intermediate or advanced, I can help increase your musical vocabulary (including learnign how to read music), help them learn about diffferent styles of music, and again have fun doing it!

John Cesar is a professional guitarist and guitar instructor from New Jersey. Originally, he was inspired to play music by the greats such as Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. However, when it came time for college, John decided to pursue the study of the classical guitar. John completed his Bachelor’s of Music in Guitar Performance from The John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University and his Master’s Degree in guitar performance at the Hartt School of Music. As a teacher, John has been working with students of all ages and levels for over 9 years. Students of his in the past have recorded their own music, gotten into high school jazz bands, and been accepted into college music programs. John is a registered Suzuki guitar instructor through the Suzuki Association of the Americas and teaches Suzuki guitar and Suzuki guitar group classes.

Take private lessons with me if…

Jason Arnold has played since he was 6 years old, having studied with his father, CMSS faculty member Billy Arnold. Jason performs with rhythm and blues and rock groups throughout the Northeast. In 2010 he was honored for his work with area children as a recipient of a Key Player Ambassador Award and directs many of our Community Partnership programs throughout Springfield.

Eleni is a violinist and music educator with 20 years of teaching experience in public schools and community music schools in Washington DC, NYC, and MA. She has a relaxed approach to vigorous learning that incorporates each student’s personal learning style and preferences. Eleni is the director of Sonido Musica, the instrumental music partnership program between Community Music School of Springfield and the Springfield and Holyoke public schools.