Instructors
We are proud to have these highly skilled and enthusiastic instructors!
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Mark Schwaller:
Inspired by the fiery passion displayed by Texas blues artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and T-Bone Walker, Mark began playing guitar as a young teenager. His proficiency in blues, rock, and country led him to leave North Texas for the Northeast to attend Berklee College of Music, where he graduated in 2006. The rich musical culture of the area wooed Mark into finding a permanent home there. Mark teaches all levels and styles of acoustic and electric guitar as well as the slide guitar. In addition to teaching, Mark plays guitar for the Boston based soul'n'roll band, Melodeego, and works at GinStache Studio as an audio engineer and producer.
Mark is also able to teach slide guitar.
Teaching Philosophy
"I like to teach using the songs you already know and love. We'll take a look at the techniques necessary to play the song, and practice them by learning the song. We'll also look at the theory behind the music, and find out why the song sounds the way it does. Through this, we can start working towards a point where teaching yourself the songs you want to know becomes relatively easy. My other main focus is on rhythm. If you have good rhythm, you'll find everything else falls into place with relative ease."
 Download Mark's Video Guitar Lesson.
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Christie Kaklamanos
Christie is a piano instructor for North Main Music. Propelled by a passion for musical productions and singing, Christie began playing the piano at the tender age of five. As well as teaching piano, she continues to develop musically, singing in a women’s choir, participating in local area musical productions and teaching children to sing. Christie is a recent graduate of Rivier College where she earned a degree in Elementary Education.
"As a teacher, I believe every student benefits by understanding and mastering the basics. The students build the foundation to their piano playing technique and then they naturally progress to playing the music that interests and excites them. Piano is all about practice and patience; in order to achieve success you have to expect to make some mistakes. I love to see the smile on my students’ faces when they understand the lesson content and make a connection."
Download Christie's Video Piano Lesson.
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Dave Taylor:
With a picking hand that seems to stroll along on its own, Dave Taylor is the newest addition to the North Main Music teaching staff. Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and a broad understanding of music to the team, having studied everything from jazz, blues and rock to folk, ragtime and bluegrass. After graduating from the Art Institute of New England, Dave traveled the country playing guitar and banjo, absorbing as much local music as possible. He teaches all styles of electric and acoustic guitar, bass, bluegrass banjo and dobro, and offers expert knowledge of modern recording techniques. Dave has played with a variety of bands in styles ranging from punk to gospel, and can currently be heard playing at venues and open jams all over New England.
Teaching Philosophy
"I love bridging the gap between different types of music. Often a theme, idea or chord progression that we find in one type of music can be found in a variety of other styles. By looking at similarities like this we can develop a broader understanding of music itself and its inner workings. In this way, students are learning how their instruments work rather than learning just bits of songs. My lessons are always catered to the music and songs a student wants to learn, but by teaching the instrument rather than the song students can play whatever style they like, even if their taste in music changes."
Download Dave's Video Guitar Lesson. |
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Joe Hartnett
Joe specializes in classical guitar, but his talent and versatility extends to advanced rock solo and shred techniques on the electric guitar. Joe holds a B.A in Music from Keene State College, where he studied under Dr. Jose Lezcano for classical guitar. He also had the privilege to study
with acclaimed guitarist/composer Frank Wallace, as well as world-renowned flamenco guitar virtuoso Grisha Goryachev. Joe has participated in master classes for the Boston Classical Guitar Society, and is always looking for opportunities to enrich his performing and teaching skills.
Teaching Philosophy
"Teaching for me is all about trying to make the student better in every way. Whether we are studying technique, theory, composition, or just playing a song, I love making music easier for the students - breaking down the barriers to make it more enjoyable. I value listening to why music interests them, and through musical exposure try to inspire them and develop their understanding."
Download Joe's Video Guitar Lesson.
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Lauren Treidel
At the age of 13, Lauren Treidel started as a vocalist in local musical theater venues including the JCCS and her high school theatrical productions. Lauren went on to attend the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, and graduated with two Bachelors of Music, one in Vocal Performance and one in Music Education. She continues to perform in and around the local area in Opera, Musical Theater and Progressive Rock/Epic Rock productions. Lauren teaches piano and clarinet as well as voice.
Teaching Philosophy
"I focus on technique and apply it to any genre of music the students choose, making sure they don’t injure themselves while performing. I try to bring my passion for music into each lesson and try to find out what excites and motivates each student so I can broaden their horizons and further inspire their love of music."
Download Lauren's Video Vocal Lesson.
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George Vento
George Vento has been recording and producing music since 1999, and teaching since 2004. George is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston and he also has a Masters in Music from Duquesne University. He has recorded and mixed numerous sessions and released CD’s both locally and internationally, and maintains a steady pulse in the Boston area music scene. George is also a professional musician, so while not in session he is usually playing, teaching or rehearsing with other musicians.
Teaching Philosophy
"I really feel that music is for everyone – no matter where you come from or what your background is. I make sure that every lesson I teach is specifically geared to that particular student’s interests and skill level. If the student is content with what he or she is working on, then the student will be excited to learn more musically and will be more open to all that music has to offer."
Download George's Video Recording Lesson |
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Scott Beddia
Scott Bedia was brought up in a musical family north of Boston that introduced him to many instruments and styles of music. His first live performance playing Beatles tunes in grade school made him want to move on to seriously study drums. Scott privately studied with great well-known instructors Joe Rizzo, Alan Dawson and session drummer, William Kennedy. His eclectic performance experiences range from Drum corps competitions to his one-man drum show “IndepenDRUM”. Scott is also a full-time drummer for the national James Brown tribute act “Mr. Dynamite” and performs with New England's premier Dream Theater tribute band "Glass Prison".
Teaching Philosophy
Scott’s teaching philosophy is centered around the belief that a disciplined approach to practice, together with an open mind and a healthy respect for preparation, primes his students for the different musical situations they will encounter.
Download Scott's Video Drum Lesson |
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Jackie Ward
Jackie Ward teaches voice and piano to students of all ages at North Main Music. She graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI with a B.S. in Music Education for Kindergarten through 12th grade general and choral music in May 2008. She and her husband, a science teacher, live in the Nashua area. Jackie enjoys singing in local worship teams and church choirs and is excited about beginning a children’s choir in her community. She will be teaching group music classes in her local library in the spring and currently teaches general and choral music in the area’s public schools.
Teaching Philosophy:
"As a music educator, I believe that music is a cross-cultural language that all people are entitled to learn and experience at any age. It is vital for aesthetic, historical, cultural and other educational values. Musical knowledge and performance aids in critical thinking skills, concentration, self-discipline and, most importantly, self-expression. Through the study of music, all students develop knowledge and skills that prepare them to experience the power of music in human existence. Along with these goals, I personally endeavor to make vocal, piano and general music instruction a fun, enjoyable experience that students can identify with on a personal level."
Download Jackie's Video Vocal Lesson |
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