Music Made Fun.
Music Made Well.
Music Made Together.
Private Lessons
all genre, beginner to intermediate
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The cello is a deeply soulful and ergonomic instrument that prefers to move with you instead of against. With the cello, good technique is technique without tension. With proper practice the cello will become a close friend and confidant although everyday it gives me a new puzzle to solve or mystery to ponder.
In lessons we work together to set goals and make plans to achieve them. I video record my lessons for students, as well as email them notes of what I’ve asked them to work on over the week. Students have access to my collection of musical and instructional books and for those interested, I can assist in booking performance opportunities. Students sign a contract upon enrollment.
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The guitar is a feisty instrument, the action, the callouses, tune the high “e”, too sharp and Snap! But it can take as much as it gives. You can pound your happiest days or saddest nights into its strings and they’ll be there tomorrow. It gives you all the answers from the start but doesn’t tell you they’re there and has plenty of puzzles of its own. But if you take the time to get to know it, playing the guitar can feel like flying.
In lessons we work together to set goals and make plans to achieve them. I video record my lessons for students, as well as email them notes of what I’ve asked them to work on over the week. Students have access to my collection of musical and instructional books and for those interested, I can assist in booking performance opportunities. Students sign a contract upon enrollment.
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The bass is a thinking-person's instrument – in that it is mostly played by feel, a state most often acquired by thinking properly. The bass is more forgiving than the guitar or cello but shares both of their better aspects: it has its own puzzles and mysteries, as well as being able to reach heights of unsuspected beauty and take brutal punishment via repeated eight-note.
In lessons we work together to set goals and make plans to achieve them. I video record my lessons for students, as well as email them notes of what I’ve asked them to work on over the week. Students have access to my collection of musical and instructional books and for those interested, I can assist in booking performance opportunities. Students sign a contract upon enrollment.
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If I had a dollar every time I heard someone say that improvising or understanding music was pure magic and not something they could learn I’d be giving out lessons for free. If you’ve ever felt like that you’ll be amazed by how well your brain can start casting spells when you’re shown what to say. Improvising and Music Theory is much more like learning grammar, at some point it becomes second nature.
In lessons we work together to set goals and make plans to achieve them. I video record my lessons for students, as well as email them notes of what I’ve asked them to work on over the week. Students have access to my collection of musical and instructional books and for those interested, I can assist in booking performance opportunities. Students sign a contract upon enrollment.
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I have had the privilege of recording or being recorded everywhere from historic recording studios, damp basements, concert halls, bedrooms, and inside a church organ. Although the steps and equipment involved look radically different, each of these situations falls into the same process: identify your goal, then utilize your tools and the principles of acoustics to achieve them. I share with students a foundational understanding in sound to better enable them to realize their goals, whether it’s recording backing tracks or putting out their first album.
In lessons we work together to set goals and make plans to achieve them. I video record my lessons for students, as well as email them notes of what I’ve asked them to work on over the week. Students have access to my collection of musical and instructional books and for those interested, I can assist in booking performance opportunities. Students sign a contract upon enrollment.
My Teaching Philosophy
Music Made Fun.
I believe the mind learns best when it's having fun. I strive to create an open teaching environment where students feel welcome sharing their thoughts, playing, and opinions. There is a strong foundation of trust that my goal is to support them as a musician and student. In my experience this is best done by having fun! By creating an enjoyable and engaging teaching environment the mind can let go of all the anxieties and other pre-occupying thoughts it was quietly distracted by and be fully open to learning.
Music Made Well.
Well made music doesn’t just mean correct technique, it asks for an attention to detail and pursuit of a better process at every step of the way. I stay up to date on books, articles, and other resources to maintain an understanding of how the brain learns and approaches our instrument - essentially how to practice. This has changed my life in and outside of music and allowed me to find a new level of confidence in my playing. In pursuit of the best process for each student I bring this experience and an open mind to each lesson combining an understanding of how to learn the instrument with how each student learns.
Music Made Together.
I believe music is most impactful as a verb, an “-ing” that people do together in real time. That turns history and technique into a communal experience that can convey ideas and bring people together. As a teacher I want to support my students in being good musical citizens with the ability to play with others and turn music from a noun to a verb for themselves and others. Part of this is making my priority supporting you as a musician, not just as my student. If you or I feel that you would learn better with a different teacher I would be happy to help in your search. If there are aspects of my teaching you disagree with please let me know and I am happy to adapt! I’ve been apart of the Central Massachusetts music scene for ten plus years and the Worcester music scene for the last six but with this recent move to Elm Park I’m excited for the opportunity to become a deeper part of the Worcester musical community.
Policy & Pricing
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Policy & Pricing ✦ ♫ ♩ ♪ ✦
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Lesson Payment
- Per lesson payment will be done upon completion of lesson.
- Monthly lesson payment will be completed upon the first of the month.
- card or check preferred.
Cancelations & No-Shows
Per Lesson Pricing
- Cancelations made in advance (more than 24 hours before the lesson) will not receive a cancelation fee.
- Last minute cancelations (less than 24 hours before the lesson) will result in a cancelation fee of 50% of the lesson fee.
- Cancelation policy works both ways, if in the unlikely event I have to cancel a lesson last minute you will receive 50% off a future lesson.
- Arriving 15 minutes late or more to a 60 minute lesson, 10 minutes late to a 45 minute lesson, or 10 minutes late to a 30 minute lesson is considered a no-show and is treated the same as a cancelation.
Per Month Pricing
- Cancellations made in advance (more than 24 hours before lesson) will receive a make up lesson within the next 4 weeks or 30 minutes added to a future lesson.
- Last minute cancelations (less than 24 hours before the lesson) will not result in an additional cancelation fee but the monthly fee will remain the same.
- In the unlikely event I have to cancel a lesson last minute you will receive 12.5% of the monthly fee off of your next payment
- Arriving 15 minutes late or more to a 60 minute lesson, 10 minutes late to a 45 minute lesson, or 10 minutes late to a 30 minute lesson is considered a no-show and is treated the same as a cancelation.
- Termination of monthly lessons requires a written notice (email or text) 30 days in advance.
*makeups cannot be guaranteed due to potential schedule conflicts
Location & Accessibility
- Lessons are hosted in my apartment* near Elm Park in Worcester Ma
- Online Lessons are available just mention this as your preference when scheduling your free consultation
- In-Home (I travel to you) lessons are available but dependent on convenient scheduling and may come with an additional fee
*The apartment is on the 3rd floor and a cat, if you have difficulty with stairs , are allergic, or anticipate any issues with this please reach out and we will work it out!
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Free Consultation
- Prior to a lesson all clients receive a 30 minute free consultation at the lesson location (in person or online)
- What is a consultation? - similar to a lesson but directed at seeing if we are a good fit to work with each other and establishing goals. You are welcome to bring your instrument but it is not required.
Individual Lesson Pricing
Per Lesson Pricing
- 60 minute lesson - $65
- 45 minute lesson - $55
- 30 minute lesson - $35
Per Month Pricing*
- 60 minute lesson - $240
- 45 minute lesson - $180
- 30 minute lesson - $120
*monthly pricing accounts for 44 lessons a year.
In-Home Lessons
- In-home lessons have an additional travel fee of ~ $15 but is subject to change based on distance.
Testimonials
”Robbie has been an absolute gift of a music teacher. He has an impressive ability to meet my teenager wherever she is at on a given day. His teaching style is positive and engaging . His ability to be flexible with the needs of neurodivergent leaners is something that can be challenging to find. Robbie is an absolute rock star in the low demand approach that allows my teen to experience success that she is proud of. That doesn’t even get to the ease with which he introduces new skills and supports students in finding their own ways to engage with the music. We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with him.
- Liz parent of student
Book Your Free Consultation Now!
Just call, text, or email me at my contacts below with “Private Lesson Inquiry”, in the subject line.