Care O’Leary is a teaching artist in CMSS’ Sonido Musica program. Care is a Hampden county musician who’s been playing violin for over 20 years, After studying music and graduating from Holyoke Community College, they picked up viola and cello as well. While they were classically trained and have played in numerous orchestras and chamber music ensembles over the years, they’ve also branched out into more contemporary music- from folk to avant garde rock to free improvisation. They play in multiple outfits in western MA, and they love to perform, tour and record with their bandmates.

Learn with me if…

If you are curious about violin and all of the different kinds of music you can make with it! I love to explore all genres and collaborate with my students. If you have a song that you love, or an idea of what sort of music you want to try, I can help you with that while we learn our foundational violin techniques and style. We can even write a song!

Care’s Student Testimonials

“Care does an amazing job of picking musical pieces that are right for my skill level but also provide the right amount of challenge.”; “Care helps prioritize what you need to work on to help you grow and learn.”- Ethan Burt

Laurie Ellington is a vocalist, conductor, and music educator with over 15 years’ experience leading choruses of all ages. Her 20+ year singing career encompasses work with bands big and small, pop and jazz a cappella groups, musical theatre, and classical choirs in the US, Europe, and Asia. As a conductor, she believes that ensemble singing is one of life’s great pleasures; she believes group singing should be about joy, connection, and creating compelling performances, no matter the repertoire. Laurie holds a B.A. from Harvard and a Master’s in Music Education from Boston Conservatory.

Learn with me if…

If you want to learn how to sing with greater ease and comfort. We can apply your newfound healthy technique to nearly any genre of music you like; I especially love working in jazz, pop, and musical theater.

Laurie’s Student Testimonials

“Laurie radiates enthusiasm and encouragement, always believing in you even when you doubt yourself. Her faith inspires you to give your very best, gently drawing you out of your shell and helping you shine in ways you didn’t know you could.” – Blythe Babjes

“She is able to teach vocal and musical skills at all different levels. She conveys confidence in her singers and encourages us to stretch.” – Laura Derr

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

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.

Marineh Gevorgi Kirakosyan, born in Armenia, graduated music college studying with R. Melikyan with a bachelor of performing arts in Yerevan, Armenia. She continued her education in St. Petersburg, Russia and later Yerevan, Armenia and received a Master of Performing Arts degree in 1993. Kirakosyan started her professional career as a piano instructor in 1993 at the St. Petersburg Academy of Music and at St Catherine church as an organist in St. Petersburg, Russia. She has been a faculty member of CMSS since 2009.

Take private lessons with me if…

If you want to time travel discovering the treasures of classical piano music or if you want to understand baroque, classical, and romantic music, and meet some contemporary composers.

Marineh’s Student Testimonials

“She shares helpful and understandable advice that already helps me grow.” – Alexandra Nunez

“She has a lot of patience with me as a student, even if I repeat errors.”

Liz Simmons received a BA from Goddard College with a focus on music’s historical role in the 1920s and 30s in North America. She specializes in folk and contemporary music, but also draws from her classical voice training in her approach to vocal health and technique. She has been a private voice instructor for the past decade, and in addition to CMSS has taught at Indian Hill Music School and Springstep Arts Center, and as an early childhood music instructor at Windham Learning Tree Academy and the Children’s Center at Groton. She tours regularly with her award-winning band Low Lily, who have performed on festival and concert stages in the US, UK and Canada. Liz has also toured as a backing vocalist with folk icons Livingston Taylor, Tom Chapin, and Melanie.

Learn with me if…

If you are interested in contemporary/pop, folk, or Broadway! I will help you improve vocal health and technique, and expand and utilize your full vocal range.

Kavan Rambukwelle received his B.F.A. in Music from SUNY Purchase, Master in Music from the University of Notre Dame. and Post Doc. from Umass Amherst. He studied with Amadeo Liva (late assistant to Ivan Galamian), Dr. Yehudi Wyner (Emeritus Yale Univ.), Charles Treger (Founding Member Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society), and Daniel Phillips (Orion Quartet), A. Markov (Official Soloist Moscow State Phil./Assistant to David Oistrach), the New Approach with Kato Havas in Oxford, UK, Master classes with the Tokyo String Quartet, New World String Quartet, Emanuel Borok (Concert Master Boston Symph.), and Baroque Performance Practice with Anthony Newman.

Kavan’s most notable solo appearances have been for the 50th anniversary celebration of the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Human Rights, ‘Festival for Humanity’ in New York, and the Holocaust Memorial at Temple Beth El in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he performed music from the movie “Schindler’s List.”

Kavan has over 30 years of teaching experience in Violin, viola, and Piano, and is a firm advocate for studying musical instruments to achieve academic excellence and life mastery in general.

Take private lessons with me if…

As the great Juilliard teacher Ivan Galamian said, “Focus on skill building, and the music will take care of itself.” Take private lessons with me if you want to get fluent at playing violin, viola, and/or piano. I help folks gain the knowledge and skills that unlock fluency and freedom in playing. As the old saying goes, “aim for the stars, so you can at least settle on the moon.

Kavan’s Student Testimonials

“Kavan breaks lessons down really well for me so I have a clearer understanding” – Mikayla Harris

“Kavan teaches me how to play piano really well. He provides helpful skills and excersises to help with that.” – Christina Marie Obas

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.

Learn with me if…

Jim Messbauer, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba, is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music with a degree in Music Performance, Trombone. Jim has toured extensively and is the co-founder of several Latin and brass groups, including Groupo Mambique, music and rhythms of the Caribbean, South America and the Lower Antilles done in a vibrant acoustic Chamber Mambo format of horns and drums.

Learn with me if…

Jim’s Student Testimonials

“One thing Jim does really well is that he writes the music we play!”; “Jim is very positive and patient.”

Jennifer Kass graduated from Clark University with a B.A. in Music and earned a M.A. in Music Therapy at Lesley University. She is certified by the Board of Music Therapists. Jen is a teaching artist in CMSS’ Adaptive Music Program. In addition to her work as a music therapist, Jen is also a visual artist and photographer.