MIKE LAMAGNA
Rock, Funk, Pop, Jazz
Musical Achievements: Mike began playing drums and learned to read and write music at a very young age. He was very involved with the marching side of percussion and Drumset and enjoys playing and teaching a wide range of music, from jazz to hard rock. He received the 2004 Best Instrumentalist and Overall Musician, at Enrico Fermi High, in Enfield, CT. He took the championship at Falcetti Music's A.T.A.M New England competition for 2 percussion solos he wrote. Mike graduated from Musician's Institute in Hollywood, CA, where he won the yearly contest for the "last man standing” (where the professor gives an advanced pattern, and the player who can play it the longest and fastest wins). Also in Hollywood, he toured with Street Beat, a very well known percussion group in L.A, as well as playing known venues such as The Viper Room, the Rainbow Room, The Cat club and many other famous Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard venues.
Approach to Teaching: "Learn from a 'rock-star' from L.A!! My students should expect a fun, hard working environment that will grant them the knowledge, tools and inspiration to achieve their musical goals. My lessons involve a dynamic of a fun, easy environment, while still maintaining a regiment of tools that will be crucial in the development of the student. I've learned from so many great teachers that inspiration is of the utmost importance! I want the student to be excited and to progress for themselves, as opposed to just trying to make me happy. Every lesson should end in the student excited to go home and better themselves."
The Impact of Music: "Being a musician has enhanced my life because it has taught me to put the same passion in life as I do in my music. I think of all my daily tasks as if they were a piece of music I am striving to prefect and do the best that I can."
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CHUCK QUENNEVILLE
Latin, Rock, Pop, Jazz
Musical Achievements: Chuck has been teaching here since 2000. In the last 4 years Chuck has had championship award winning students in the annual ATAM contest. He graduated from Westfield State with a degree in Jazz Studies with an academic achievement award for the highest GPA. He played in WSC Wind Symphony and Holyoke Civic Symphony. Chuck is presently a member of Pioneer Valley Concert Band, Northampton Concert Band, and local combo band, The Winemakers.
Approach to Teaching: "I emphasize doing the basics well: reading, coordination, dynamics, rudiments, and musicianship. If my student is receptive, I want him or her to be a full percussionist. I have students studying Concert Percussion, Jazz, Rock, and Hand Percussion. You owe it to yourself to study seriously and learn to read music to educate yourself in any style you might want to study in the future."
Impact of Music: "Music has brought me into contact with very creative people. While I was in the U.S. Navy, stationed in the Republic of Vietnam, being in a band on-board a ship was a good diversion for getting through a difficult time." |
