Private Lessons

About our Lessons

Chagrin Valley Music offers private lessons for piano,  guitar, violin and viola, drums, voice, bass,  banjo, ukulele, trumpet, french horn, trombone, flute, saxophone, and clarinet.  Lessons are scheduled one half hour per week and are taught by  professional, well-educated instructors. Whether you are just beginning, a hobbyist who plays for enjoyment, or a professional musician interested in music theory or expanding your skills, you will receive lessons that are personalized to help you reach your musical goals.

Lessons are offered:

  • Until 8 p.m. Monday – Thursday

  • Until 6 p.m. Friday

  • 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday

Book a Lesson

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Our Instructors

Harry Madorsky

Guitar, Ukelele

  • Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Illustration and Fine Arts from University of Colorado

  • Performs and records professionally as a singer-songwriter

  • Music archivist with a knowledge of history for all styles of music

  • Incorporates current music to teach fundamentals

Curtis Marazzi

Guitar and Bass Guitar

  • Bachelor of Music from The University of Akron

  • 20 years of experience as a teacher of guitar and bass guitar

  • Played with a wide variety of bands

  • Focuses on the fundamentals and technical abilities that allow students to play their favorite styles of music

Mike McClosky

Guitar and Bass Guitar

  • Master’s degree in Music Education from The University of Akron

  • Named “Outstanding Undergraduate Guitarist” at The University of Akron

  • Teaches classical, rock, jazz, and finger-style for guitar, and rock and jazz for bass

  • Emphasizes reading music, music theory, and fundamentals

  • Over 20 years performing professionally

David McHenry

Guitar and Bass Guitar

  • Studied at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music

  • Founder of Open Ears – Open Minds, a society for music appreciation

  • Especially trained in classical and jazz

  • Teaches all styles

  • Believes an appreciation of music inspires students and provides the foundation for success on their instrument

Tracy Ramer

Guitar and Bass Guitar

  • Studied guitar at the Berklee College of Music and The University of Akron

  • Toured the United States as the music director for Dennis Edwards, the former lead singer of The Temptations

  • Currently sings and plays guitar, bass, and keyboards for various local music groups

  • Teaches all styles of music on guitar, bass, or ukulele

  • Focuses on sight reading, music theory, and improvisation during lessons

Rob Thorndike

Guitar, Bass Guitar, Banjo

  • Bachelors of Music in Guitar Performance and Music Education at Youngstown State University

  • Has taught private guitar and drum lessons in schools and studios since 2005

  • Served as Percussion Pit Instructor for The Warren Junior Military Band

  • Focuses on fundamentals and music theory as it applies to the student’s musical interests

Nick White

 

Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Guitar, Rock School

  • Bachelors in Art Education

  • Masters in Curriculum and Instruction

  • 15 Years teaching experience

  • Professional Musician: guitar, electric and upright bass for over 20 years.

  • Touring (USA, Canada, Mexico, and Europe), recording, booking, and management experience

Stephen Cline

Piano and French Horn

  • Stephen has performed with the Cleveland Philharmonic, Erie Philharmonic, and Youngstown Scoring Stage

  • He has held many organist/music director positions in Northeast Ohio

  • 20 years experience teaching private lessons

  • M.M. in Music Performance, Youngstown State University

  • B.A. in Music Performance, Youngstown State University

Val Sibila

Voice and Piano

  • M.M. in Voice Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music

  • Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance, Kent State University

  • 9 years as a pianist and cantor church service professional

  • 7 years experience as an instructor of voice and piano

  • Focuses on creating well-rounded musicians with strong theory skills and healthy, sustainable techniques that can last a lifetime

C.J. Briggs

Piano

  • Current music director of Brecksville-Broadview Heights Community Chorus

  • Extensive music director experience in multiple area churches

  • C.J. is a prolific performer in area theaters, bands, and churches

  • Emphasizes reading music, music theory, and fundamentals

  • B.M. in Theory and Composition, College of Wooster

Bob Young

Drums and Percussion

  • Studied Music Education at Youngstown State University

  • Professional freelance percussionist for rock, orchestral, and musical theater pit ensembles

  • Co-founder of newYopercussion, a percussion quartet from Youngstown, Ohio

  • Has taught private lessons for 12 years

  • Focuses on fundamental understanding of rhythm, feel, and technique as it applies to all percussion instruments

Roy King

Drums and Percussion

Kevin Natoli

Trumpet, Trumpet Ensemble, Alexander Technique

  • Currently performs with several area symphonies including Mansfield, Canton, Erie, and Akron

  • Performed with Civic Orchestra of Chicago and New World Symphony of Miami

  • Certified teacher and clinician for the Alexander Technique

  • M.M. in Trumpet Performance, New England Conservatory

  • B. A. in Performance, Boston Conservatory

Christopher Brosius

Trombone, Baritone/Euphonium

  • Chris has studied with both Rick Stout and Massimo La Rosa of the Cleveland Orchestra

  • Performed with the Akron, Youngstown, Canton, Erie, and Firelands Symphonies

  • 7 years teaching experience in public and private settings

  • M. M. in Trombone Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music

  • B. M. in Trombone Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music

Stephen Cline

Piano and French Horn

  • Stephen has performed with the Cleveland Philharmonic, Erie Philharmonic, and Youngstown Scoring Stage

  • He has held many organist/music director positions in Northeast Ohio

  • 20 years experience teaching private lessons

  • M.M. in Music Performance, Youngstown State University

  • B.A. in Music Performance, Youngstown State University

Caitlin Richards

Flute, Piccolo, and Flute Choir

  • B.A. in Flute Performance, Kent State University

  • 16 years of extensive performing experience
  • Caitlin has a passion for teaching flute and believes that learning music, in any capacity, is important in creating a confident and well-rounded individual

Zachary Brandon

Violin and Viola

  • Zach has performed in more than 8 local symphonies through out Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana
  • M.M. candidate, Cleveland Institute of Music
  • B.A. in Music Performance, Colburn Conservatory
  • Zach has placed in the top rankings of dozens of international strings competitions

Nathaniel Hoyt

Cello

  • Currently pursuing an MM in Cello Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music

  • BM from Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama and Art in Washington D.C.

  • Has performed at high end venues such as Canadian Embassy, the Library of Congress, and the Apostolic Nunciature
  • Won the 2019 Eastern Music Festival Concerto Competition, the 2018 Benjamin T. Rome Concerto Competition, and the 2020 Misbin Chamber Music Competition

Bethany Westphal

 

Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Guitar, Rock School

Kevin Giordano

 

Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Guitar, Rock School