Training: ADHD Informed Instruction
Sarah Soller-Mihlek
No sleep ’til…Springfield! Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Sarah Soller-Mihlek is a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), multi-instrumentalist, performer, and music instructor with a decade of teaching experience on guitar, bass, drums, piano and voice. She has a classical background in guitar from the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens College and a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy from Westfield State University. She was a one-to-one music instructor at Real Brave Audio community music school for 8 years in Queens, NY, where she taught a wide range of students from ages 4-82. During the pandemic, she was a band coach and songwriting instructor at Girls Rock! D.C. She continued her music education experience in inclusive preschool settings (at Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center), and developmental learning programs with high schoolers (at Westfield High School). With the opportunity to join the CMSS faculty in 2024, she became a teaching artist for the Prelude Preschool of the Arts, Music Exploration, and the Adaptive Music Program. She also teaches one-to-one lessons, tailoring them to meet students where they are at and utilizing client-preferred music.
As a proud first-generation Filipina-American and member of the LGBTQ+ community, she is a huge advocate for making music education accessible to everyone. Coming from a strong DIY background, she believes that music has the power to bring people together by providing a meaningful tool for advocacy, creative expression, insight, and empowerment.
Sarah performed in riot grrrl, alternative, and indie rock bands for over ten years in NYC. Since moving to Western MA, she continues to play in multiple projects, such as drummer of indie-rock band Ex-Temper, and guitarist/lead singer of punk rock band, Sunshine and the Rainbows. She collaborates frequently with local artists and musicians to provide all ages community and performance events. Because music was so impactful in her own life, Sarah hopes to inspire others by providing a welcoming space for anyone who wants to explore music.
Learn with me if…
If you want to express yourself through the power of music! Music isn’t about perfection – it’s about authenticity and connection. It is a way to reflect identity, convey emotion, and interact with the world regardless of level, background, or status.
Sarah’s Student Testimonials
“Sarah is so encouraging and positive, my son feels drawn to music and trying new things in the space she creates. She spots individuals’ interests and builds on those — and she adapts to group dynamics exceptionally well. She is amazing.” – Rex Pittman
“Sarah does a fantastic job of inspiring a lifelong love and appreciation of music. She really connects with Luka by finding his specific definition of fun and finds adjacent things to expand his palate.” – Luka Nowak
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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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Andres Lopez Pozo
Andres Lopez Pozo, originally from Cuba, is a multi-instrument player who specializes in guitar. Andres graduated from the Esteban Salas Music Conservatory in Santiago de Cuba, where he studied the instruction and performance of guitar, Cuban tres guitar, and ensemble. He has over twenty years of experience teaching guitar, Cuban tres guitar, and Latin music to students of all ages. Songwriting, arranging, and composing are also within his repertoire. In addition to teaching music, he has performed professionally with a traditional Cuban music band, a classical guitar ensemble, in popular Cuban music festivals, and on tour in international festivals.
Learn with me if…
If you are looking for an excellent opportunity to learn different styles of guitar and music theory through beautiful songs, melodies, harmonies, and more. I work with beginners to professionals. Give it a try. Explore your artistic side and achieve your potential.
Andres’ Student Testimonials
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Michael Stewart
Michael Stewart has performed to great acclaim throughout the United States, Europe, and South America as solo pianist and collaborative pianist alike. In addition to his duties as a music teacher at Enfield High School in Connecticut, Mr. Stewart is currently collaborative pianist and vocal coach at Juilliard’s Pre-College Vocal Arts Camp in Orlando each summer, music faculty at the Sarasota Music Conservatory in Florida, and most recently music faculty at the Community Music School of Springfield in Massachusetts.
Mr. Stewart’s multifaceted career has spanned everything from performing solo piano recitals, making concerto appearances with dozens of orchestras, and maintaining a bustling private piano teaching studio online and in-person to performing chamber music, directing musical theater and opera productions, choral conducting, vocal coaching, songwriting, and utilizing music technology, recording equipment, and digital audio workstations to enhance the artistry of his students and colleagues.
Michael received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at the University of Utah and two Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano respectively at Mannes Conservatory in New York City. Whenever Mr. Stewart is not busy with his musical activities, you may find him hiking, reading, baking, traveling, or playing with his pack of Siberian huskies.
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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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