Ava D’Agostino is a soprano and music educator with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a Master’s degree in Voice Performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. With nine years of teaching experience, she has held various roles, including choral director, private voice instructor, and early childhood music educator. She currently teaches private voice at the Community Music School of Springfield and throughout the greater Western Massachusetts area.

As a performer, Ava’s operatic credits include The Fire/Nightingale in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges and the Witch/Mother in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.

Learn with me if…

If you are curious about your singing potential, interested in voice technique/how it works, and/or just want to sing to have fun! We can focus on music literacy and learn to sight sing, or focus more on learning repertoire and getting comfortable performing it. In my lessons, it is important to me that my students enjoy the songs they are singing, so whatever genre/song serves your vocal/musical growth while being enjoyable, we can work with it.

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!”

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.

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