Training: Multicultural Learning Through Creative Expression
William Losch
William Losch holds a Bachelor of Music degree in String Performance from Florida State University, where he specialized in the double bass. He has studied both the classical and jazz traditions, and his teachers have included Melanie Punter, Rodney Jordan, Terry Plumeri and Nilson Matta.
As a bassist, William has been a member of the Gainesville (FL) Orchestra and the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed in classical and jazz ensembles, as a choir accompanist and in pit orchestras. William is certified as a Music teacher in Massachusetts (K-12) and currently teaches in the Springfield Public Schools.
William’s interest in music came from hearing his cousins and uncles play the guitar, as well as taking up the trumpet in 5th grade band. His philosophy about music education is that music is a language and should be treated as such. As babies, we were initially encouraged to improvise using the sounds we knew. Only once we had mastered improvisation were we then taught to read. Learning music in this same way allows us to develop with music the same freedom of expression we enjoy in our own native language.
Learn with me if…
If you want to be able to play your favorite song by ear and also be able to read music, or if you love songs from every style and genre and want to learn more!
Explore all faculty and instrumentsEun Joo Lee
A native of South Korea, Eun Joo Lee began playing the piano at the age of seven and soon started playing in the City Hall. After entering into the specialized Art High School in Pusan, remarkably she appeared at the Art Hall of Ga-ram and Ga-Eun as solo pianist. When she was studying in Pusan National University, she received a scholarship from the Department of Music, and also played at the school’s concert hall every year before her graduation under the tutelage of Jung Soon Choi. In 2002, she played Bartok’s Rhapsody op.1 at Cultural Concert Hall of Kyumjung. Her performance of Bartok Rhapsody Op.1 was highly received by the audience with a storm of applause. Also, she started expanding her repertories by playing contemporary work such as Copland, Bartok, Scriabin, Charles Ives.
The 2002 Piano Summer at New Paltz, NY hosted by Vladimir Feltsman, inspired her to come to New York and begin intensive studying. During the summer session of that year, she performed Ravel’s Jeau D’eau in the Concert Hall in SUNY at New Paltz. As a receiver of Art Bridge America Scholarship, she was able to pursue her master’s degree in Music with the well-known pianist Paul Ostrovsky in SUNY at Purchase.
In 2007, her immense fascination with music led her to participate in the Summer Course in New Paltz again, so that she could get more valuable stage experience. She achieved the Master of Music in 2007 and the Artist Diploma Degree at SUNY Purchase in 2008. She also learned the organ with the interest of sacred church music with Anthony Newman. In 2010, she began the fall semester in the Graduate Professional Study at the Hartt School, University of Hartford with Luiz De Moura Castro. She successfully finished her first Graduate Diploma Recital on January 31, 2012 in Berkman Recital Hall at the Hartt school. As well as her piano studying, her interest in sacred church music led her to meet the renowned organist Patrica Snyder at Hartt school. She studied with her for one year and also completed the final organ recital in her studio. She successfully completed her second Graduate Diploma Recital on May 13, 2013.
She was a lead faculty member for five years at the Music School of Woodwind since 2005. She was also recently hired by the Cheshire Academy as a piano faculty member in the music department. She worked as piano faculty at ABC music school in Litchfield county from 2013 to 2016. She also gave a Lecture Recital about Composer’s life and representative works (Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart) for the Korean Community. She performs as an Official Accompanist for the Connecticut College Choirs every semester since she was appointed as an collaborative pianist in 2020. She has been teaching students as Piano Faculty at the Thames Valley School at Connecticut College.
In the local Korean community, she plays chamber music with other members in various concert halls. As a music director in the Korean Presbyterian Church of Greater Hartford, she had served for the choir since she moved to Connecticut in 2009. She was a music director and organist in the Calvary Baptist Church and The First Congregational Church of Woodbridge. She recorded the Brian Field’s piano solo piece “Three planets” for climate change warning and also uploaded the whole movements on her YouTube channel. She is a currently active member of Harford Music Teacher Alliance (HMTA) since 2013 and also member of National Music Teachers Association (NMTA).
Take private lessons with me if…
If you are interested in learning the piano as a hobby/fun or if you’re interested in sharpening your skills and musicianship for recitals or competition. I customize my lessons to meet student’s musical goals, responding to the needs of students and parents in offering high quality musical training. I commit to inspiring students to reach the highest artistic level of piano playing. My mission is to provide professional instruction with enthusiasm and dedication where each lesson has a purpose to nurture and enhance musical ideas and concepts. Students in my studio are encouraged and empowered to improve musical skills which will eventually help them to enjoy music for the rest of their life.
Eun Joo Lee’s Student Testimonials
“My instructor teaches me the best fundamental technique and theory for beginners looking to excel. When I don’t understand, she is patient. She is really encouraging and complements my playing throughout the lesson.” -Angie Stanford
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Julia Urbank
Learn with me if…
If you want to build a healthy, sustainable vocal technique that lets you sing your favorite songs.
Julia’s Student Testimonials
“Julia es una profesora excelente y enseña canciones bilingues es muy linda. Nos encantan las clases se nota la planeacion y la transicion de las actividades de la clase es muy divertida . Julia has a great energy es muy alegre.”
“Always on time and keeps the class moving at a steady pace, We love the classes, they are so much fun with a variety of songs, instruments and props”
“Leora loves how Ms. Julia ” goes into the closet” and brings out all kinds of cool musical learning instruments. I love how she engages everyone and creates such a positive, uplifting and comfortable atmosphere perfect for fostering learning and making the kids feel safe to learn and participate!”
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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)
Trevor Pitts
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.
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