I'm skilled, experienced, and ready to help!
MUSIC, FRENCH, & TESOL - LESSONS
I am very pleased to share my love and knowledge of music and language with you and I hope to become an instructive and creative resource to support and advance your learning, interest, and appreciation of all that the musical arts and world language study offer to all of us as lifelong students and practitioners. I am state certified in Music, French, TESOL, Bilingual, and Intermediate Administration and earned an MAT and DFS in Music from Wesleyan University and an MA in French from the Middlebury College Graduate School Program in Paris, France. I recently retired from a career as a K-12 district school administrator for world languages, TESOL, and music and now continue as an active professional musician, private teacher, and adjunct university instructor and supervisor.
I perform music year-round on Friday and Saturday evenings at Ralph’n Rich’s Restaurant in Bridgeport, CT. My repertoire embraces music written and performed over 100+ years and includes all major styles and genres with particular emphasis on The Great American Songbook. I play piano and trumpet simultaneously, sing, play live flute with prerecorded accompaniments, and graciously welcome requests.
TO SEE ME IN ACTION! CLICK on SERVICES!
To acquaint you with the range of my performing and improvisational skills and writing styles, please click on SERVICES to view a series of videos and CD tracks. Descriptions are attached to each. Videos 1-3 are solos recorded in my studio. Videos 4-8 feature brief excerpts from the Music with Mike series. Six CD recorded originals and three standards complete the list.
The Making Music With Mike series featured many of my former high school music students in performance and conversation with me during my tenure as a district music coordinator. This eight-year series was created not only to feature aspiring young student performers but also to enlighten viewers to the music-making process and its multifaceted skills, challenges, and overall educational value for all who participate. Programs were recorded and broadcast on local Public Access TV.
My studio is located in the greater Stratford-Bridgeport, CT region. I’m pleased to offer private instruction in piano/keyboards, trumpet and flute, vocal coaching, accompanying, songwriting, arranging, and improvising in popular, jazz, and classical musical styles. I also offer instruction in French language and TESOL studies.