Flute (Bansuri)

Teacher: Gopi Shanker

Gopi Shanker Flute (Bansuri)

Gopi Shanker is a flautist trained in the Hindustani (North Indian) Classical tradition of playing the Bansuri, the bamboo flute of India. He received his initial training under Shri Pundalik Shenoy and Shri Satyam Rai. He then came under the tutelage of Guru Deepak Ram, who is a senior disciple of the legendary Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia of the Senia Maihar Gharana, to receive advanced training. Gopi is currently perfecting his art and the intricacies of raagdari under the guidance of Shri Puspen Dey, a senior disciple of the renowned sarod player, late Pt. Buddhadeb Dasgupta of the Senia Shahjahanpur gharana.

Gopi is a regular performer in the greater Boston area and has featured in numerous concerts at venues like the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Wellesley College, MITHAS, IAGB and other cultural and community events in Boston and in India. Outside the pure classical genre, Gopi has also performed with and recorded an album for the Boston-based band “Apaar Bangla”.

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Students will begin their lessons by learning the basics of Bansuri (Indian Bamboo flute) playing including blowing techniques, fingering techniques combined with the fundamental elements of Hindustani classical music. With time and practice, they will advance to playing classical compositions (gats or bandishes), dhuns & bhajans (light music / songs) in various raags and learn how to develop a raag and embellish their presentation with alaaps, taans, and advanced bansuri playing techniques.

Register for classes only after initial consultation with the Center and to determine class level and availability. Other class times may also be available.

Note that Winter 2020 session will be held in Lexington.

Register here

Guitar

Teacher: Phil Kaplan

Phil Kaplan Guitar (Western and Hindustani Classical)

Phil Kaplan has been composing, performing, recording, and teaching, locally and internationally, since he graduated from the New England Conservatory in 1979. He has many full-length music albums of original material to his credit, as well as scores for film and theater.

While at the Conservatory he was introduced to the musical world of South Asia by master Sitarist and Educator Dr. Peter Row, from whom he took many lessons while pursuing his B.M. at the Conservatory and after graduating.

He is currently under the tutelage of Sr. Puspen Dey of Calcutta, himself a senior disciple of Pt. Buddhadev Dasgupta, and who has guided and encouraged him in his endeavor to translate Hindustani classical music to his first and most beloved instrument, the electric guitar. Phil has, after several years’ worth of trial, error, and experimentation, has arrived at a customization of his instrument which emulates the sarod and the sarangi, his two favorite Indian stringed instruments.

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Guitar Fundamentals I: Learn and practice the basics of tone and sound production on the guitar, and how to play melodies, chords, and songs. Building from week to week, we'll cover the fundamentals of proper posture and hand positioning, tuning, picking, and strumming. Practical exercises will be provided to develop finger strength, dexterity, and muscle memory. We will also focus on developing solid time-keeping and being able to play a legato melodic line. Students will be introduced to reading scores and song charts along with the basics of standard notation. This course will help you build the skills for playing on your own or with others.

Guitar Fundamentals II: For intermediate to advanced guitar students, this course covers both the fundamentals of rhythm-guitar playing and soloing, as well as how to understand and follow song arrangements, and how to accompany oneself, or as a member of an ensemble, while practicing and performing songs and instrumental compositions. Specific tunes will be used to explore different styles and genres of songs, and what will be appropriate and musical for each one.

Guitar'od: The Gui'tarode is a customized guitar designed to emulate the Indian string instrument, the Sarod. The fundamentals of technique and expression on this instrument will be offered within the context of the Hindustani (North Indian) classical Raga repertoire, in its practice and performance. Thus, all instruments are welcome in this class! In particular, prospective slide guitarists and string (violin, viola, 'cello, bass, fretless bass) players, wind and brass players, even keyboardists (especially if they have a pitch bender!). Note: With respect to the guitar, as this course requires a customized instrument, it is recommended that prospective students get in touch with the teacher regarding how to obtain the instrument.

Class times other than the ones listed below are also available. Please email for additional times and for an informational meeting with the teacher.

CLASS TIMES: Thursdays 6:30-9:30 PM & Saturdays 9:00 AM-2:30 PM.
Register for classes only after initial consultation with the Center to determine class level availability, and time slot.

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Hindustani Vocal

Teacher: Vandana Rao

Vandana Rao Hindustani Vocal

Vandana Rao has been a music enthusiast from a very young age and started her music training at the age of 8. She trained in Mumbai for over 8 years in the khayal style of Hindustani music under the tutelage of several gurus. After moving to the US, she renewed her training in music under Smt Sadhana Upadhyay at the LearnQuest Academy of Music in Waltham, Massachusetts, learning various styles of Hindustani music including khayal, and light folk. She trained under Warren Senders, a vocalist and composer in Indian and Western music, and more recently, she has been training in dhrupad style of Hindustani music from Pt. Ramakant Gundecha.

In 2014 Vandana started the Sur Samvaad School of Music in Westborough where she teaches classical music to both young children and adults alike and currently has over a thirty students. She performs at local events and enjoys composing music in her free time.

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Learn one of the oldest forms of Indian classical music. Hindustani classical music, or the North Indian style of music has a rich tradition of raga based expression of songs and notes. This class is open for students at all levels and will take music enthusiasts through a journey of both classical, light classical and film music. The classes are designed to give the students an insight into classical music as well as classical based film songs, bhakti geet (devotional songs), and patriotic songs. The raags will be taught in the typical sequence that is taught in a formalized music program and will follow the curriculum as outlined by the Gandharva Mahavidhyalaya. Classes will draw upon popularly used bandishes (songs), as well as those created and composed by my guru, Smt. Sadhana Upadhyay. The classes will be held once a week for between 45-60 minutes.

Register for classes only after initial consultation with the Center and to determine class level and availability

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Mridangam (Percussion)

Teacher: Gaurishankar Chandrashekhar

Gaurishankar Chandrashekhar Mridangam

Gaurish Chandrashekhar is a student of Sri. K. Kalyanakrishnan, from the Tanjore Upendran school of mridangam. He had the opportunity to advance his mridangam skills under the able guidance of late Sri. Trichy Raghava Iyer, of the Bharathiya School of Music and Arts - Mumbai, India, and Kalaimamani Sri.Tiruvavur Bhaktavatsalam. He has over two decades of concert playing experience and has accompanied many leading visiting and local artists.

He has conducted lecture demonstrations at various music schools in the Boston area including the Berklee School of Music. He regularly provides percussion support for various Indian classical dance ensembles and arangetrams in the New England region. Gaurish has been teaching students, this fine art of percussion for over 15 years. His students have won awards for mridangam at the Cleveland Aradhana and CMANA competitions.

He plays other percussion instruments such as the dholak, congos, kanjira, morsing. He has collaborated and performed with various Jazz and Bluegrass artists in the Boston area. In 2009, he recorded mridangam and kanjira for the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Classical Companion web project to encourage young composers. In 2014, he was awarded a grant through Massachusetts Cultural Councils' - 'Keepers of Tradition' program as a Master artist.

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Beginner Level: Students at the Beginner level will first get introduced to mridangam. Theoretical concepts will cover the history, construction and sounds of the instrument, concept of mathras, talas, and rhythm. Students will start learning and playing the basic strokes and konakkol (verbal rendition of percussion strokes) values. Focus will be more on stroke clarity than volume of material covered as the intent is for the students to have a strong foundation. Once the students master the basic strokes, lessons will be customized (based on student’s progress) to play in Adi and Rupaka Talam.
Given the volume of material (basic strokes patterns) to cover, it is estimated that the Beginner level will take anywhere between 8-12 months assuming students will practice at least 30 minutes every day.
What is expected from Students & Parents: Students are expected to memorize, recollect and play the basic strokes during the first few months. Parent’s presence during classes will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Recommend parents to sit through the class every third week (or a mutually agreed upon time) to see their kid’s progress.

Intermediate Level: Students, both new and those graduating from Beginner level, will be evaluated to see if they are ready for the Intermediate level. At the Intermediate level, students will learn the format of a solo performance piece (Thani Avarthanam). Advanced Theermanam, Korvai, and Nadai (in Adi and Rupaka Talam) will be taught. Based on individual student’s progress, students will be introduced to Misra Chapu and Kanda Chapu concepts. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to perform in solo (Thani Avarthanam) and also accompany simple songs in Adi and Rupaka Talam.

What is expected from Students & Parents: Commitment to practice at least an hour every day; Ability to recite complex konakkal in Adi and Rupaka Talam and basic konakkol in Misra Chapu and Kanda Chapu Talam.

Please contact the Center for additional class times. Register for classes only after initial consultation with the Center and to determine class level and availability.

Register here

Piano

Teacher: Matthew Zakhary Johnson/James (Jimi) Zimmardi

Matthew Zakhary Johnson/James (Jimi) Zimmardi

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Lessons with Mr. Johnson (Mondays & Wednesdays):
1. Group Music Workshop (Ages 7-10, 11-18): A small group workshop on singing and basic piano playing, which includes reading and notating music, understanding harmony and counterpoint, counting rhythm, and the history of music. Students learn basics on a variety of instruments including piano, xylophone, and drums. The level of the material will adapt to the students in the class and their background and interests.

2. Individual Piano Lessons (Ages 4+): Lessons for beginners originate in the Suzuki method of listening and playing first, with music notation mixing in later. For students with prior experience, lessons begin with whichever method the student had worked with in the past (such as Bastien method or Faber & Faber), and expand from there to meet the student's needs. Music is drawn from the Western Classical and folk traditions, and prepares for recital performances.

Lessons with Mr. Zimmardi (Tuesdays & Saturdays):
Individual Piano Lessons (Ages 7+): Students will learn Beginning Piano by Studying Music Reading, Learning Finger Numbers, Building Finger Strength and learning the notes on the Keyboard. Students will be taught in the Traditional Classical approach using method books that are fun and enlightening. Learning to play in the Pop Style is available as students learn to play Chords and Melodies, but Traditional Style is required prior to doing Pop style to insure that all students learn to read Music. The John Schaum Piano Method Books series will be used combined with Mr. Zimmardi's own methods which can include Pop Style Chords combined with playing by ear, jamming and improvisation.

Class times other than the ones listed below may also be available. Please email for additional times and for an informational meeting with the teacher.
Register for classes only after initial consultation with the Center and to determine class level and availability

Register here

Saxophone and Clarinet

Teacher: James (Jimi) Zimmardi

James (Jimi) Zimmardi Voice, Piano, Song Writing, Saxophone, Clarinet, Music Theory, Harmony and Ear Training

With a nationally known reputation as a Pop Music Producer, Stage Performer and Instructor with over 35 years of Teaching Experience and 45 years of Performing Professionally, Jimi Zimmardi has taken his experience to connect with each student from their first lesson by using a customized personal approach. As a Graduate from New England Conservatory of Music and Berklee College of Music as a Contemporary improvisation Major in Voice and Woodwinds, Jimi has found a Teaching formula that involves making personal connections with each student as they develop themselves musically.

Jimi has many years of experience teaching young students at various MA schools serving as Lead Voice Faculty. As a Licensed Vocal Therapist and Voice Rehabilitation Specialist with a Certification from McClosky Institute of Voice, Jimi’s knowledge of the Voice has helped him achieve success with Nationally known Recording Artists. Jimi uses an approach that focuses on Technique, Lots of Jamming and Improvisation and Personal Style Development and simply having fun with Music.

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Students will learn Breathing and posture so that they can play the Clarinet and Saxophone. Private Lessons will cover learning to get a good sound during the first 2 months followed by working on sound, fingerings, working speed and other technical issues. Outstanding 21st Century Method books will be used as a learning tool to allow the student a fun and Modern Day approach.

Available class times are Tuesday evenings (6:30-8:30 pm) and Saturday 1:30-6:00 pm. For specific class availability and to register please contact the Center.

Register here

Singing/Voice

Teacher: Matthew Zakhary Johnson/James (Jimi) Zimmardi

Matthew Zakhary Johnson/James (Jimi) Zimmardi

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Lessons with Mr. Johnson (Available class times are on Mondays and Wednesdays):
1. Chorus (Ages 7-18): A choir singing beautiful songs from the Western Classical and folk traditions, including music for holidays at different times of year. The choir discusses the history and meaning of the songs, and prepares for local performances.

2. Group Music Class for the Young (ages 3-7): A group introduction to music using songs and movement. Students learn basics on a variety of instruments including piano, xylophone, and drums. The course uses the Suzuki principle of listening and playing before reading music, but mixes in notation over time.

3. Individual Singing/Voice Lessons (Ages 7+): Development of the singing voice according to the 'bel canto' ('beautiful singing') tradition emphasizing naturalness of the voice. Solo songs are selected from the Western Classical and folk traditions according to what suits the student's voice and develops the performance ability. For songs in Italian, German and French, lessons include study of language, translation, and pronunciation. Lessons are geared to preparation for recital performances.

Lessons with Mr. Zimmardi (Available class times are Tuesday evenings 6:30-8:30 pm and Saturday 1:00-6:00 pm):
1. Private/Group Lessons: Students of all ages are welcome to study Singing and Voice. Students will study Proper Posture, Alignment and Breathing and then work towards making Healthy Sound that is proper and won’t hurt or damage their voice. Students can expect to widen and expand their vocal range using McClosky Singing Techniques from a Certified McClosky Voice Technician and Voice Therapist. Other techniques including Alexander, Bel Canto and The Healthy Voice philosophies of Jimi Zimmardi will provide a holistic and safe approach to singing. Students can expect to work on their own Personal Styles to then develop into Powerfully Projected Singers with Great Projection and Diction in whatever style they want to sing. (1 Hour Sessions offered)

2. Karaoke Master Class: Kids get to experience the KARAOKE EXPERIENCE with all Class Attendees performing solos and getting positive support from other attendees. As the KARAOKE host and coach, Mr. Zimmardi will provide feedback and highlight particular areas of the song that need improvement. Students can work at home on those notes and come back the following week to further finesse their songs.

For specific class availability and to register please contact the Center.

Register here

Song Writing and Music Composition

Teacher: James (Jimi) Zimmardi

James (Jimi) Zimmardi Voice, Piano, Song Writing, Saxophone, Clarinet, Music Theory, Harmony and Ear Training

With a nationally known reputation as a Pop Music Producer, Stage Performer and Instructor with over 35 years of Teaching Experience and 45 years of Performing Professionally, Jimi Zimmardi has taken his experience to connect with each student from their first lesson by using a customized personal approach. As a Graduate from New England Conservatory of Music and Berklee College of Music as a Contemporary improvisation Major in Voice and Woodwinds, Jimi has found a Teaching formula that involves making personal connections with each student as they develop themselves musically.

Jimi has many years of experience teaching young students at various MA schools serving as Lead Voice Faculty. As a Licensed Vocal Therapist and Voice Rehabilitation Specialist with a Certification from McClosky Institute of Voice, Jimi’s knowledge of the Voice has helped him achieve success with Nationally known Recording Artists. Jimi uses an approach that focuses on Technique, Lots of Jamming and Improvisation and Personal Style Development and simply having fun with Music.

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This class is open to students Age 14 and above. If you ever thought that you wanted to write songs, then studying Song Writing in a Comprehensive way via private lessons is a great way to learn. Students will have the opportunity to learn all the Sections of Popular Songs by starting with Music Analysis and then move on to how to write each section (Verse, pre-Chorus, Chorus or Bridge). There are many angles to Songwriting including lyrics, word imagery and rhyme sequences as well as Melodic and Chord Repetition, all of which will be covered in the lessons. Knowing how to play the piano or guitar is a bonus; but if you do not know how, then 'Basic Piano/Keyboard lessons for Singers and Songwriters to help learn Chords can be added to the lessons. Once students learn the basics of Songwriting, they will be expected to write 1 to 2 songs per week. The philosophy of these lessons is: Songwriting is a LOT easier than you think. With a great Formulaic Approach, you can write great songs!!

Private or Group lessons are available. Available class times are Tuesday evenings (summer schedule: 5:00-8:30 pm) and Saturday 12:30-5:30 pm. For specific class availability and to register please contact the Center.

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Tabla (Percussion)

Teacher: Ajit Acharya

Ajit Acharya Tabla

New England-based tabla artist Ajit Acharya began his training under the tutelage of Sri Sheshagiri Rao of Bangalore, India. He also studied extensively with Dr. Rajan Sachdeva, one of the most respected and prolific Indian music teachers in the midwest. His tabla apprenticeship continues today under the guidance of Pandit Samar Saha of the Benares gharana (or style) of tabla.

Ajit has performed all over the country as a soloist and accompanist with various genres including fusion, jazz and experimental music. As a passionate educator and proponent of Indian classical music, Ajit has given lecture-demonstrations and workshops at multiple colleges and universities. He continues to teach dedicated students of all ages throughout New England, the midwest and the west coast.

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The class will cover information about the history of Indian percussion, the structure and sounds of the instrument, basic hand movements and fingering, and rhythmic patterns. Students of all ages will learn correct techniques of playing the instruments, learn basic taals (beats) and laya (rhythm), kaidas (composition or variation), improvisations and expression.

Students will gain knowledge of basic musical concepts (e.g. time and rhythm) through activities such as playing recorded music or playing an instrument in class accompanied by Center for Arts and Wellness students, designing creative activities to allow students to experience different musical styles, interpret musical scores and compose their own music. Classes will cover music theory, history, harmony, counterpoint, form and analysis. The class will also provide aural training through the performance of music, talks, discussion, use of audiovisual equipment, practical music and written assignments.

Note: Classes are held on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings. For available slots please email the Center.

Register for classes only after initial consultation with the Center and to determine class level and availability

Register here