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Kyle Langlois
Kyle Langlois is a professional musician from Western MA, and a two-time graduate of Berklee College of Music, (BM: Performance in Boston, MA and MM: Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration) in Valencia, Spain). Whether focusing on performing, production, songwriting, or education, Kyle lives and breathes music, as his passions pull him to explore all corners of the industry, and to spread his admiration of the arts with everyone and anyone. Personally, Kyle strives to spread positivity and peace, gaining new and invigorating experiences to shape his view of the world, while aiming to be a voice for all.
Currently, Kyle splits his time into different facets of music. He has been performing throughout New England for over a decade, and lately has been involved in the musical theater and pit orchestra scene as a guitarist, bassist and pianist across Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Kyle also enjoys writing music and sharing his stories with listeners across the globe; in 2022, his Masters’ Thesis Project at Berklee Valencia consisted of a self-produced album “Fly Now” and a live concert showcasing new arrangements of his original songs. Lastly, Kyle is entering the education field, teaching private guitar and music lessons remotely and in-studio, and getting into his own classrooms in schools and programs in his communities.
Kyle is enthusiastic to share his love for music and education at the Community Music School of Springfield, and he is eager to support you in reaching your musical ambitions! Offering technical skills and instrumental lessons, songwriting and production guidance, and insights into the professional music industry from his own experiences, Kyle aims to prove the Community Music School’s philosophy that “Music is for everyone” through exploration and open creativity!
Learn with me if…
If you are hungry to deeply learn the musical language, inspired to explore different facets of music, and hoping to utilize music to make an impact on your life and those around you!
Kyle’s Student Testimonials
“Kyle makes an effort to get to know my style and goals.” – Stella Bouchard
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Nicole Vega
Nicole Vega is a Chilean violinist and passionate music educator whose work bridges the worlds of performance and pedagogy. Originally from Santiago, she has dedicated her career to nurturing young musicians and expanding access to quality music education.
Nicole’s teaching experience spans private instruction, orchestral leadership, and community outreach. While living in Temuco, Chile, she served as the music coordinator at a local high school, where she taught violin, viola, and conducted the school’s beginner orchestra. Her holistic approach to teaching focused on both individual growth and ensemble collaboration. Later, during her graduate studies at Florida State University, she was a member of the university’s graduate string quartet, which collaborated with Sinfonia Gulf Coast to present interactive educational performances in schools across the Destin area—bringing classical music to life through storytelling and audience engagement.
As a performer, Nicole maintains an active presence in both modern and historical performance circles. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at Montclair State University, studying with Mary Ann Mumm, and her Master’s degree at Florida State University, where she was the teaching assistant to Corinne Stillwell. She has performed in festivals such as Campos do Jordão (Brazil), Brevard Music Center (North Carolina), and was recently selected as a fellow for **Sphinx Ignite 2025**.
Nicole has also developed a strong profile in historical performance practice, studying baroque violin with Theresa Salomon and Karin Cuellar, and performing at festivals including Música Antigua FEMUSC (Brazil), Tafelmusik (Canada), Clarion Collegium Week (NYC), Festival de Música Antigua de Medellín (Colombia), Berwick Academy at the Oregon Bach Festival, the Baroque Performance Institute at Oberlin, and selected as a fellow by ARTEK in NYC in 2025 and 2026. Nicole continues to explore the intersection of education and performance, believing that both are essential to building meaningful, inclusive musical experiences.
Learn with me if…
“You are looking for a way to express yourself other than with words.”
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Mae Cooke
Mae Cooke is a New England based Pedal harpist. They have a wide variety of experience with different genres such as atonal, classical, and jazz. A jack of all trades, Cooke enjoys performing, large ensemble, chamber and solo, as well as recording and teaching harp.
Cooke has done lots of large ensemble orchestral work, especially in the Connecticut and Massachusetts area. They have worked with Hartford Symphony on shows like their Sugar Plum Fantasy Cirque holiday performance and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One live film score performance. They have also performed with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra, the Foot in the Door Hartt Ensemble, and several local orchestras.
Mae Cooke also has extensive experience performing in chamber ensembles. They have collaborated with trombonists, flutists, piccoloists, vibraphonists, french horn players, and more. Cooke’s main professional duo is The Sunrise Duet, a collaboration with Flutist Allison Potanovic. The duo has been playing together since their studies at The Hartt School of Music, Dance and Theater. They challenge conventions by performing new music and original arrangements. They recently premiered the avant- garde work “Night Sayings”, commissioned by Talia Berenbaum in 2025.
In addition to performing, Mae Cooke enjoys teaching harp to students of all ages and abilities. At the collegiate level, Mae is the Adjunct Harp Professor at Westfield State University. They are building a program geared for students looking to study harp for music therapy. At Community Music School of Springfield, Cooke teaches harp to students from toddlers to adults. They are also teaching artist with the Prelude Preschool and continue to develop an accessible and fun harp curriculum for preschoolers.
They hold a Masters of Music in Harp Performance at The Hartt School and their Bachelors of Music in Harp Performance and Bachelors of the Arts with Studio Art from Eastman School of Music and University of Rochester. They studied with Kathleen Bride and Susan Knapp Thomas.
Learn with me if…
If you want to explore music with a fun, approachable instrument! Whatever your goals are, whether you want to play jazz, in an orchestra, or just want to create some music, I will work with you to accomplish your goals and while having a good time along the way.
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Alton Skinner
Alton Skinner is a Teaching Artist in CMSS’ Sonido Musica program. He is a professional saxophonist, musician, and Springfield native who discovered his passion for music at the Springfield High School of Science and Technology. After receiving an education in Music at Holyoke Community College, Alton has gone on to share the stage with musicians such as Robert ‘Sput’ Searight, Doobie Powell, The Delfonics, and Michelle Brooks-Thompson.
Specializing in Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rnb/Soul, Funk, and Fusion genres, Alton’s passion for the art of music has led to many performances and collaborations all over the East Coast. His influences include Stevie Wonder, Michael Brecker, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, and Dexter Gordon.
Learn with me if…
Private lessons with me are tailored to your interests in a way that also addresses the fundamentals. If you want to learn versatility, discipline, and the best ways to bring the right mindset to playing and practicing saxophone while also having fun with music, then I’d be happy to help you learn!
Alton’s Student Testimonials
Explore all faculty and instruments“We’ve been very happy with these lessons. This is my daughter’s first time playing saxophone. She was hesitant to take Zoom lessons, but she loves working with Alton. He kind and encouraging, but also teaching her new skills.” – Esme Gray
“Alton uses his knowledge of music and technology to make the lesson fun and understandable even for someone at my age.” – Jim Aldrich (Adult Student)
Sammi Shea
Sammi Shea is a Massachusetts-based clarinetist and music educator. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she studied clarinet with Romie de Guise-Langlois, and of Longy School of Music at Bard College in Cambridge. During her years as a musician, she has traveled to play in the 2018 edition of the Tournament of Roses parade, the Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allentown, PA, and the SONAD Project in Marlborough, New Hampshire. Her teaching career began in 2017 with private clarinet lessons, and she is currently an elementary music teacher in the West Springfield Public Schools.
As an educator and musician, Sammi believes that music needs to be accessible for everyone, because no matter who you are, everyone likes music in some capacity. She believes that, even if you can’t play an instrument in a band or sing in a choir, you can experience music and keep it as an integral part of your life. Her long term goals include pursuing a PhD in Music Education and developing an accessible general music curriculum for substantially separate music classes.
Learn with me if…
If you believe the process is just as important as the final product! Asking questions, trying new things, and reflecting on what you have done, you can grow as a person and musician which are all part of the process.
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Chris Foe
Chris Foe is an emerging composer whose work is performed and recorded widely throughout the New York, Boston, and Western Massachusetts areas. Originally from West Michigan, Chris graduated summa cum laude from the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music where he studied guitar and composition under internationally renowned guitarist John Abercrombie. During his years there, he was designated a James Moody Scholar and saw his music performed at major venues like Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and The Falcon.
Having recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a master’s degree in jazz composition and arranging, Chris now works as a freelance arranger and engraver and is active on the national competition circuit. His successes in this arena include a second-place finish in the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC) Pete Rugolo Big Band Arranging and Composing Competition where his piece, “The Western Shore”, was judged against a record number of entries by a panel of judges that included Bill Holman, Gordon Goodwin, and Nan Schwartz.
Learn with me if…
If you love music and want to explore your passion with a teacher who values patience and kindness as much as excellence in musicianship. With me you’ll develop the skills to play the music you love and have fun while you do it! I teach and enjoy all styles of music, from classical and jazz to blues, rock, metal, and more.
Chris’ Student Testimonials
“Chris is always understanding and works with my schedule. Sometimes I don’t get enough practice time before my lessons but he is always reassuring and understands the demands of family life. I’m really greatful to have such a teacher! The study material that he selects for my lessons is great, I enjoy playing the pieces. I think he is very attentive and I can definitly say I’m making progress.”
“All I know is that he is one of the best teachers out there, I don’t know if there is any one better than him!” Loris Timirican
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