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Instructors
We are proud to have these highly skilled and enthusiastic instructors!
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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."
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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."
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Shea Ellis
Shea teaches guitar and mandolin for all ages and levels at North Main Music. His insatiable musical thirst has led him to study numerous guitar styles such as rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, and fusion. Shea holds a BA in History with a concentration in Music from the University of Maine at Farmington. In college he was lucky enough to study electro-acoustic music composition and recording under Dr. Steven Pane, and came away with a wealth of knowledge in the field of digital audio recording. Shea also studied guitar under Fred Zinkgraf and blues master Dan Hudson and has won awards and acclaim for his skills in improvisation. When he isn't teaching he performs regularly around New England with his original indie rock band, "Old Abode." In his spare time he enjoys playing classical mandolin and finds himself perpetually striving to achieve the ultimate guitar tone.
Teaching Philosophy
Every player has their own goals and idea of what they want to be as a musician. To achieve these goals it takes time, dedication, and practice. But who says it can't be fun? I strive to make every lesson unique to the player, and to focus on what I believe to be the four foundations of great musicians: rhythm, tone, phrasing, and technique. I truly want to help my students fall in love with performing music.
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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."
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Jason Latham
Jason has been playing guitar for nearly twenty years and has a diverse interest in styles that range from American roots music, to modern rock and instrumental fusion. His passion was ignited by playing in his Tucson, AZ, high school music programs, and later, the Tucson and Phoenix area band scenes. With experience teaching in vocational settings Jason honed the skills needed to teach a range of students from beginners to advanced players. Jason’s ability to combine these teaching skills with a true passion for many types of music makes him a great resource for anybody who wants to learn how to play the guitar. Jason currently plays in a professional praise and worship band, a local hard rock band, and he performs solo acoustic roots shows. He stays busy writing and recording his own musical projects, as well as keeping availability open for studio session work with other musicians. Jason also plays and teaches lap-style slide guitar, open tunings, and finger picking techniques.
Teaching Philosophy
With my students I always stress the four “Ts”: tuning, timing, touch, and tone. With these skills mastered, you will always sound good, - without them, you will never realize your potential. I encourage students to play with everyone and anyone, and to explore their instruments using different types of music, different techniques, and different equipment. Most of all, I keep students motivated by encouraging the fun and friendship music has to offer. I want them to know that music lasts a lifetime.
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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.
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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."
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Diva Taunia
Diva Taunia teaches voice at North Main Music. She's an award-winning vocalist and songwriter with over twenty years teaching experience in both the public and private sectors. Her training as a coloratura soprano combined with her passion for jazz and improvisation, she encourages her students to "think outside the box" when singing to help them find their own unique sound and voice. She did her undergraduate studies in Music Business and Performance at U Mass Lowell and continued her studies in Vocal Pedagogy at Berklee College of Music. When she's not teaching, she's also the choreographer and director of a 50+ cast and crew member song and dance production company, can be found on the ballroom dance floor swing and latin dancing, or hosting her weekly radio program. Taunia was recently featured on NH Chronicle, and will also be the feature of a three page article in SHAPE Magazine this spring. Her website is www.divataunia.com.
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