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Make Your Sound

Our instructors

click on the “availability and booking” buttons below

to see our schedules and book lessons!

From all over Vermont, we are a collective of outstanding independent music instructors that are totally local and experienced. Active in the Green Mountain State community music scene and beyond, we've been in the magazines, played the venues, made the road trips, and spent hours upon hours studying music theory and the live experience. Music is amazing and we're here to share that with you.

All of our instructors can assist with songwriting and theory in addition to instrument instruction!

 

Bass Lessons

ARAM BEDROSIAN

 
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about Aram

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced bass lessons for all ages!

Aram’s bass lessons are for all ages, styles and levels with a strong focus on the goals, personality and learning style of the student. Beginners are absolutely welcome, as are very experienced students. Topics range from introductory scales and songs, to advanced technique and soloing and much more... He is also the resident bass guitar instructor at Johnson State College and has taken part in and directed numerous music camps for Burlington Parks & Rec.

Born and raised in Burlington, Aram graduated from BHS, UVM and has established himself as a world class bassist and instructor. Well known locally and worldwide, he's appeared in Bass Player Magazine, has numerous international endorsements and has over 100k social media followers.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

  • Phone: (802) 540-0321

  • Email: inquiries@burlingtonmusicdojo.com

  • Availability: Inquire!

  • Rates:

    -30 minute lesson - $40

    -45 minute lesson - $55

    -60 minute lesson - $70
    -Multi-lesson discounts available

  • Teaches all ages

  • Remote lessons available

  • Gift certificates available

 
Aram Bedrosian Bass Guitar Music Lessons - Burlington Music Dojo

"Aram was my first bass teacher and his contagious enthusiasm got me hooked on playing the bass right away."

-Luke Hausermann, Student 

"I started taking lessons from Aram as someone who had played bass for a little while but had never learned the fundamentals. Aram helped me with basic music theory as well as more advanced bass techniques. Whether you're a beginner, an experienced bass player, or just looking to hang out with a bass wizard, definitely hit up Aram!"

-Seth Evans-Diffenderfer, Student

 

Voice LESSONS

bre Valdez

 
 
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About Bre

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced voice lessons,, as well as songwriting and composition lessons. (Saturdays and Sundays only) For ages 8 and up!

Bre Valdez is a 24-year-old soprano leggero and young artist joining the Dojo from Rutland, Vermont. She has attended Westminster Choir College, the Crane School of Music, and is continuing her academics at Castleton University. Bre is an alumni member of the International Honor Music Fraternity of Sigma Alpha Iota.

Bre has had the privilege of studying under renown professors such as Nova Thomas, Margaret Chalker, and she currently is a member of Joshua Collier's studio. Bre has participated in masterclasses given by esteemed composers, coaches, and performers such as Carol Vaness, Scilla Cristiano, Michael Ching, Ailyn Perez, Kirsten and Keith Chambers, Ragnar Conde, Abdiel Vazquez, Jennifer Rowley, Thomas Cooley, Felix Jarrar, Cailin Marcel Manson, and many others.

While studying under Joshua Collier, Bre has performed and understudied in a number of productions with the Barn Opera house in Brandon, Vermont - of which he is the artistic director. While performing in the chorus, Bre has covered roles such as Norina in Don Pasquale and Josephine in HMS Pinafore.

Bre has participated in the International Opera Festival of Morelia in 2020, studying the role of "La Contessa" from Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. Over the years her voice has since developed and is now more suited for light/lyric coloratura repertoire.

In late July, Bre Valdez debuted the role of Musetta in Opera al Mare's summer 2023 production of La Boheme, in Longano, Italy.


About Bre’s Songwriting and composition lessons:
”This course work will focus on learning how to build and construct songs, with the option of basic piano instruction/computer production skills all while finding your authentic voice as a form of personal artistic expression (as opposed to imitation.) These lessons will allow you to create demos for songs you’re ready to record.”

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 

 

Ukulele, Voice, piano & guitar

Alice Schroeder

 
 
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About Alice

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced ukulele and voice lessons, as well as beginner and intermediate piano and guitar lessons for ages 6 and up!

Alice is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter happy to be offering lessons in piano, voice, ukulele,  guitar, and songwriting. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Alice specializes in songwriting and harmony. She was a featured songwriter in the Eurovision 2020 song contest and was awarded first place in the 2019 Songs For Social Change Competition at Berklee. During her time at Berklee she studied under award winning songwriter Bonnie Hayes. Since graduating, Alice has been recording and performing often in Vermont and beyond.

In her lessons, she individualizes each student’s lesson plan to focus on their goals and to keep things fun! She teaches for students aged 8 and up and focuses on contemporary styles (pop/jazz/rock/folk). 

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 

 

Voice lessons

Francesca Napolitano

 
 
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About Francesca

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced voice lessons for ages 14 and up!

Francesca Napolitano (she/her) is a performer and educator based in Burlington, VT. She started singing when she joined her first choir at the age of three and never looked back! Francesca holds a Master of Music degree in Opera Performance from the Maryland Opera Studio at the University of Maryland, as well as a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan. Throughout her studies, she has been mentored by world-renowned performers, coaches, and pedagogues such as Carmen Balthrop, Gran Wilson, Martin Katz, Justina Lee, Carmen Pelton, and Stanford Olsen. She has many years of performance experience in opera, classical voice, and choral singing, in addition to contemporary genres such as musical theater, jazz, a cappella, pop, rock, funk, and blues.

With such a diverse background in her own training and career, Francesca is well-equipped to teach students of all voice types in any genre. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes versatility by focusing on developing a strong, healthy, and effortless technique that is uniquely suited to each student’s voice. She firmly believes that with a technically sound foundation, singers will have the tools to successfully branch out into any style they choose. Francesca also specializes in audition preparation and dramatic coaching for singers, and finds joy in working with students to build on their individual strengths to cultivate not just their singing voice, but their identity as a performing artist.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 
 

piano Lessons

Matt Weinstein

 
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About Matt

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced piano lessons for all ages!

As a lifelong musician from New York, Matt’s deep passion and experience are what have allowed him to succeed as a professional musician and instructor. He began gigging and studio recording in elementary school which later developed into playing in wedding bands, creative projects, and a charity concert series throughout middle and high school.

Matt moved to Burlington in 2017 where he attended the University of Vermont to study philosophy and music.

He continues his journey by touring the country with jam band and musical theater artist, Hayley Jane, as well as several Burlington local projects such as Lazy Bird (funk/fusion), Small Talk (jazz, funk, pop, country), AHOF (wedding band series), and more. These experiences have allowed Matt to understand the art of music in a much more detailed and wholistic manner, as the well as gain perspective on the industry and it’s people.

Matt’s main goal as an instructor is to inspire and bring out the passion and creativity that everyone holds within them. This ranges from basic technique and theory practice, to ear training and transcription, and advanced improvisation, composition, and advanced harmonic/rhythmic concepts. Matt preaches nothing more than to learn what you like, to learn what inspires you, and to learn what really makes you feel something.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 

 

Voice & piano LESSONS

Justice Gilbert

 
 
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About Justice

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced voice lessons, as well as beginner and intermediate piano lessons for ages 5 and up!

(she/her) Justice graduated from Liberty University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Music degree and specialization in Songwriting. She is classically trained in voice and has been singing in choirs and bands for the last fourteen years. In recent years she has returned to Vermont from Colorado Springs where she primarily taught voice and piano at a music school. Justice enjoys teaching voice in a variety genres including contemporary, classical, pop, folk, musical theater, and blues. She also teaches songwriting and beginner to intermediate piano and enjoys teaching students how to write original music and accompany themselves while singing. When she’s not teaching, Justice can be found drinking coffee or at the comedy club attempting to be funny.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 
 

Guitar LESSONS

Kevin Boyea

 
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About Kevin

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced guitar lessons for ages 7 and up!

Berklee College of Music alumnus Kevin Boyea has been playing guitar professionally since he was a teenager. He has played all over New England in the bands Toy Chest, Last Kid Picked and Sideshow Bob to name a few. He is currently playing in the function band A House on Fire and a busy "on call" guitarist, subbing for a variety of projects ranging from rock, jazz and funk to musical theater and country.
 Kevin has been teaching as many as 40 students a week for the last 25 years, specializing in many different styles, acoustic and electric guitar, beginner to advanced. His teaching style will show you what you want to learn, while teaching you what you need to know, including music theory, improvising and technique.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 

 

Violin lessons

sophie hood

 
 
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About Sophie H.

Offering beginner and intermediate violin lessons for all ages.

Hi there! My name is Sophie Hood. I’ve been playing the violin since I was 5 years old - it was love at first sight! I was classically trained with the Suzuki Method, playing in youth orchestras throughout my childhood and teen years. In high school I started to branch out, falling in love with fiddle music, rock, and jazz. In college I minored in music, traveling to London to study violin for a semester. I played in quartets, the chamber orchestra, and played electric violin in a rock band! Violin has remained a big part of my life - and I have continued to play and teach, keeping it a part of my everyday. I think music is about fun and joy - the violin is a challenging instrument! I want to help make it accessible to everyone. With patience, humor, and fun times, we’ll go through the basics and get you playing in no time! Though I usually use a combo of Suzuki learning, I am open to what you are most interested in - from classical, to video game music, to fiddle and rock, I’m happy to start you or help you continue along your journey! Let’s have fun and play some violin! 

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 
 

Guitar LESSONS

Gina Glenbowski

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About Gina

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced guitar lessons for ages 5 and up!

(she/her) Gina is a versatile guitar instructor with 15 years of experience in many aspects of the music world, from teaching and performing to songwriting and recording. She studied guitar performance at Berklee College of Music, music theory at Montclair State University, and graduated in 2015 from Northeastern University with a degree in music business. Gina teaches beginner/intermediate acoustic and electric guitar to students of all ages, specializing in rock, blues, pop, and alternative genres. Her unique approach to teaching centers around each student’s individual interests and aspirations. She is driven to help her students achieve what’s important to them, whether that’s learning to serenade their friends around a campfire or preparing for a professional career in the music industry.

Gina recently relocated from Los Angeles, CA, where she was performing, booking and coordinating shows and tours for musicians and bands. Her passion for fostering community through music inspired her to create monthly pop up shows to give artists from all around the world a chance to share their music, and she is excited to spread these experiences to the Burlington area while sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for music with her students.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 
 

Drum Lessons

DAN RYAN

 
 
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About Dan

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced drum and percussion lessons for ages 8 and up!

Dan has been a fixture in the Burlington music scene since 2004. His performance experience includes playing and touring with some of the state’s most popular groups including Madaila, Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band, Craig Mitchell and Motor City, Strength in Numbers, The University of Vermont Big Band, and the Vermont Jazz Ensemble. His overall knowledge of the music language and attention to detail make him one of the more sought-after drummers in the area. 

Dan Ryan has been teaching private lessons for almost 20 years, sharing his knowledge with musicians of all ages and ability levels. His three-pronged approach to his lesson plans is simple; learn the rudimentary techniques, use them to learn what YOU want to learn, and most importantly make it fun. Dan is patient and compassionate while also having an undying fire and passion for musical knowledge. It is this combination that he brings to the table and makes him confident that his students will be getting a unique learning experience from taking lessons with him.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 
 

piano & trumpet Lessons

Sam Atallah

 
 
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About Sam Atallah

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced piano and trumpet lessons for ages 6 and up!

Sam is a pianist and trumpeter who graduated from University of Vermont in 2020 with a degree in music. When not teaching, he performs with several musical groups, in Vermont and throughout New England. His focus through school was on jazz, but he has performing experience in rock, classical, country, hip hop, and pretty much any genre you may have interest in! In addition to teaching the fundamentals, Sam includes theory and ear training in lessons to help students understand the ideas behind what they are learning. When not playing music, he loves a good sci fi novel.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 
 

piano & drum Lessons

Van garrison

 
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About Van

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced piano lessons, as well as beginner drum lessons for all ages!

Van Garrison is a 22 year-old multi-instrumentalist that takes music seriously, but loves to take musical risks. Upon taking lessons with him, you will encounter a familiar style of teaching with some new twists. Rhythm, Harmony, Melody, and Intent are the backbones of any musical escapade so be ready to do a deep dive into each component. Van plays in many musical outfits around Burlington and the New England area.

His journey in music began as a 3-year-old taking piano lessons and continued to explore music as a drummer in middle and high school. Now with his UVM education behind him, he is ready to help others explore their own musicality and broaden their musical horizons! Focus is on Blues, Jazz, Funk, and Fusion, but happy to help with any style!

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 
 

sax, clarinet, recorder, flute & piano lessons

MJ Patchett

 
 
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About MJ

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced saxophone, clarinet and recorder lessons, as well as beginner and intermediate flute and piano lessons for all ages!

MJ has been teaching woodwinds (saxophone, clarinet, flute and recorder) in private and group settings since 2006. Her patience, compassion and kindness for students of all levels helps them feel welcome and gain confidence on their instrument. MJ meets all of her students where they are at, and helps them to teach themselves how to learn, so they can be self-sufficient in not only music but in any subject. She incorporates music that the student wants to play along with the necessary nuts and bolts that improve playing technique and music comprehension. MJ is enthusiastic about teaching both children and adults, and believes anyone can learn to play an instrument.

 

As a performer, MJ has played saxophone on both coasts of the US and has toured in western Europe. For many years MJ performed professionally in contemporary music ensembles in the Boston area. She also helped found and direct a choir of unhoused folks living in Boston. MJ has commissioned numerous works for saxophone, and has collaborated with multimedia artists and dancers. Although her education is in classical music, MJ has also played and recorded with jazz, soul/R&B and indie pop bands as a saxophonist and backup vocalist. She received her Masters in Music from Eastman School of Music (2010) and Bachelors in Music from the New England Conservatory (2008). MJ currently resides in Richmond, Vermont, and is excited to be offering lessons at the Burlington Music Dojo!

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 

 

bassoon LESSONS

Molly Finkel

 
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About Molly

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced bassoon lessons or all ages!

Molly is a northern New Hampshire native who moved to Burlington in 2021, calling it home for many years to come. She currently participates in 3 local orchestras with the intention of expanding playing opportunities to as much as Burlington has to offer a bassoonist. Molly has been playing the bassoon for 18 years and has taught beginner to intermediate students periodically since 2012. J. Weissenborn’s Practical Method for the Bassoon is the book primarily used in lessons, particularly for beginners. There is also a strong focus on playing together on bassoon duets with the intent to strengthen the ear on pitch related bassoon issues and technique. Though there is structure and expectation, there is plenty of room to personalize lessons towards each students individual needs.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 
 

Drum Lessons

Cal McCandless

 
 
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About Cal

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced drum lessons for ages 8 and up!

(he/him) Cal’s passion for the drums began in the 2nd grade, tall enough only for the concert snare drum. Now, though, Cal is no stranger to the band-stand; school bands, travelling around the country for weeks of jazz, funk and rock camps, and competing in regional and all-state jazz competitions throughout middle and high school have rocketed his adult musical career. Now in college, Cal’s foundational jazz experience has made him a versatile drummer, touring all over the east coast in the successful funk band “Lazy Bird” (funk/fusion) over the last two years, keeping busy with jazz gigs, musical pit bands, his own band, “Small Talk” (jazz fusion/funk), as well as a constant influx of more temporary projects and subbing for other drummers. Despite making Cal feel more like a “drums-operator” than a true drummer, Cal travels to play weddings in “The Supremes.” He also operates a successful music instagram account.

Cal conceptualizes drumming as such: alterations of uniform, fundamental conceps create every head-banging rock solo or tasteful jazz idiom. This “wholistic” perspective of drumming legitimizes Cal’s belief that it’s most important to practice and learn what excites you; If you learn the craft, you learn it all.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 

 

Voice & piano LESSONS

Jennifer Phillips

 
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About Jennifer

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced voice and piano lessons for ages 7 and up!

Jennifer has been teaching private piano and voice lessons since graduating with her bachelors degree in Music Education from Southeastern College in 2017 where she studied both vocal and piano pedagogy. She has been playing the piano since she was 9 years old, and has sung in choirs and vocal groups since middle school.  She has experience teaching beginner voice lessons, and enjoys teaching piano lessons for all stages from beginners to intermediate and early advanced students. While in college, she traveled as the piano accompanist for a vocal group and sang alto in a ladies trio.  Jennifer just recently moved to Burlington with her husband and baby daughter. They are her inspiration and joy, and when she’s not teaching music, she can be found making memories with them.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

 

 

REmote FLUTE LESSONS

Carmen Delaney

 
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About Carmen

Offering beginner, intermediate and advanced remote flute lessons for all ages!

(she/her) Carmen is a flutist originally from Las Vegas, NV. She began piano lessons at the age of 5 and flute at 11. After picking up piccolo, she learned the saxophone in high school to play in jazz band.

While studying at Arizona State University, where she received her BM in Music Performance, Carmen was involved in numerous instrumental ensembles, from flute and guitar duos and symphonic orchestras to contemporary ensembles with a theremin (Google it if you haven’t heard of it, it’s a funky instrument!) Outside of school, Carmen taught lessons, played for weddings, and played in the community flute choir.

Carmen moved to the Burlington area in 2019 and worked remotely during the pandemic for the Howard Center. She began teaching intermittently at the BMD in 2021 and is now available for students of all ages and abilities. Carmen’s teaching style is all about having fun, but there is always a goal in mind. Her aim for her students is to develop a strong understanding of music to aid in the production of a student’s best possible sound. Carmen wants her students to be able to create music they are proud to share.

 

Contact & Lesson Information

-30 minute lesson - $35

-60 minute lesson - $60

  •  Remote lessons only

  • Teaches all ages