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Music lessons

Gordon’s after school instrumental program is designed to expose students to the joy of learning to play an instrument in a convenient and supportive environment. We seek to instill a lifelong connection with musical learning, and many of our students become accomplished instrumentalists in high school, college, and beyond.

Overview

Gordon hosts many after school instrumental and vocal instruction opportunities throughout the year. In private lessons, students study a variety of orchestra and folk instruments, as well as voice training, taught by a faculty of professional musicians and educators.

With specific regard to vocal instruction, middle school students interested in an introduction to vocal studies may inquire about private lessons. Gordon supports access for these students to gain traction in music literacy, healthy vocal technique and basic piano skills. This introductory level of vocal studies is designed to create a foundation for a lifetime of learning about each student’s unique vocal mechanism and development of musicianship.

Instrumental music recitals are held twice a year, in January and May or June. While not a requirement, all students in this program are encouraged to participate, as music is a performing art and periodic appearances in front of an audience are important indicators of progress and pride..

The schedule will be split into three trimesters to coincide with other after school programs, and families will have the opportunity to sign up for one, two, or all three trimesters. The first trimester begins at the beginning of the school year. The second trimester starts on the Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend. The final trimester begins on the Monday following our spring break.

Additional information

From the program director

We monitor how students and their teachers connect throughout the year, so that we can facilitate an optimal experience for everyone. It is so important to have a good working relationship between student and teacher. When you call to arrange your child’s lesson, your child’s teacher will clearly go over his or her expectations. This is when you should have a dialogue with the instructor to express your expectations as well. It is important for you, your child, and your instructor to understand what is required for good, solid progress. Items you should discuss include practicing, possible rewards if you and the instructor feel it is appropriate, consistency in showing up for lessons, the importance of bringing the materials needed for each lesson each week, and expectations for performances in recitals.

Students take lessons for myriad reasons. Our program provides opportunities for exploration, engagement, and growth for all students interested in instrumental learning.

Scheduling lessons

Lessons are scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis by calling instructors directly.

Parents should notify instructors before the beginning of each trimester to arrange for continuation or termination of lessons.

Lessons are not held on vacation days, conference days or early dismissal days unless prearranged with the instructor.

Students must be under an adult’s direct supervision after school.

Gordon’s Gators and YAP programs are available before and after lessons. Reach out to Taylor Motta at tmotta@gordonschool.org to arrange.

Cancellations

Lessons can only be cancelled in the case of a student’s illness and parents should call the instructor directly as soon as possible to let them know.

Social events, vacations beyond those on Gordon’s calendar, medical appointments, and sports events are not valid excuses.

Students who cannot attend school for health reasons, or are sent home during the day, cannot participate in after school programs, including athletic games, lessons, or any performances.

When instructors need to be absent, they will contact families as soon as possible, and also call the school.

These lessons will be made up later in the trimester if possible.

When after school programs are cancelled due to severe weather, lessons will be made up later in the trimester if possible.

Fees

Registration

Contact the instructor listed below to discuss and schedule lessons.

Bill Beaudoin: drums, flute, bassoon

Contact: 401-556-5251, bbeaudoin@gordonschool.org

Bill attended Rhode Island College and Berklee College of Music. He plays rock, jazz, and classical music among other genres. He enjoys playing drums, flute, and the bassoon. Bill is principal bassoonist with the Fall River Symphony Orchestra and Classic Winds woodwind quintet. He has performed with the Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, local orchestras, and smaller ensembles, and enjoys performing in a variety of musical styles. He is the director of the Jazz/Rock Band for the Gordon's seventh and eighth grades, as well as founder and director of the Percussion Ensemble electives.

Cheryl Faria: piano

Contact: 401 419-8682, cherylafaria@verizon.net

Cheryl has been teaching piano at the Gordon School since 2009. Her specialty is young beginner students and she is passionate about helping students learn the joys of piano playing. Her teaching style emphasizes a focus on the individual, connecting students to the type of music they love and includes sight reading, rhythm, ear training and theory. Cheryl grew up in a musical family and began taking classical piano lessons at the age of 6. She has dual undergraduate degrees in Music and Art Education, has a Masters Degree in Business Administration and is certified by the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She studied classical piano with Judith Stillman, both at Rhode Island College and privately. Her other passions include dance, gardening and 1640’s history. Besides teaching piano at Gordon, she also teaches at the RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. Cheryl is currently teaching only on Mondays

Gary Ferguson: guitar, bass guitar, piano, ukulele, drums, glockenspiel

Contact: 401-410-3119, garyf0578@gmail.com

Gary Ferguson has a bachelor's degree from Charter Oak State College Connecticut in applied arts/music. He also studied at Rhode Island College, and has a composition/instrumentation certificate from Rhode Island School of music, and took guitar and theory lessons from Berklee college of music graduates and teachers. He has been teaching privately since 1984: group lessons and some chorus and classroom theory, ear training, sight singing, and American music history and listening. He has taught K thru 8 at Grace Christian School in California, and Montessori Children"s House in Providence, along with their talent shows, pageants, and has assisted with musical theater productions. He mainly teaches guitar, but also voice, bass guitar, drums, piano, ukulele and glockenspiel. He also has taught adults at his studio in Barrington, as well as 2 music store locations (Rick’s Musical Instruments) in Cumberland and Rehoboth. He has toured in show and dance bands, and taught Brian Yale, the bass player in Matchbox Twenty, years ago. He also warmed up some oldies headliners, and played with musicians from famous bands and has done some recording. He currently performs a solo act on guitar and vocals and electric piano in RI and Massachusetts.

Susan Hodgin: piano, recorder

Contact: 401-323-9183, shodgin108@gmail.com

Susan taught music at Gordon School to fourth to eighth grades from 2010 to 2021 and directed two choirs, a handbell ensemble, musical theater, and an auditioned a cappella group, the G-Notes. She has two degrees in piano performance, a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Carolina and a Master of Music from the University of Illinois, and she completed post-graduate work at Boston University and the University of Rhode Island. She has worked extensively as a chamber musician and theater collaborator, most recently with the Wilbury Theater production of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Susan works as a private teacher, accompanist, consultant, performer, and also as an adjunct faculty member at Wheeler School. She sings with the Gracenote Singers to provide bedside singing at the end of life. Susan believes that each person can develop their own talent and love for music, and that time spent in individual study is a means of discovery and self-integration via synthesis of emotion, reason, sensory perceptions, physical coordination, and outreach. Students at any level can feel deep satisfaction through their achievements!

Michelle Kaminsky: violin, fiddle, beginning guitar, ukulele

Contact: 401-246-2720, mkfiddle99@gmail.com

Michelle joined Gordon’s after school music program in 2009, and has been teaching music and fiddle for over thirty years: recently adding beginning guitar and ukulele as well. She is known for her flexible teaching style and patience, inspiring a love of music in her students. Combining her background in classical violin with familiar folk songs to teach good technique; her goal is to give students a good foundation for wherever music will take them. Michelle currently plays with Magnolia Cajun Band and French Roast. Michelle has had the honor of teaching fiddle as a master for the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA). Michelle also teaches in her private studio, and for Rhode Island Fiddle Project. Michelle has a degree in elementary education, specializing in early childhood music. She is certified in Level 1 Orff, Early Childhood Kodaly and Music Together, as well as having studied the Suzuki method. Michelle offers private lessons and group experiences

Ryan Lee Crosby: guitar

Contact: 860-965-2885, lessons@ryanleecrosby.com

Ryan graduated from Northeastern University in 2004 and has been working in music ever since. A full time professional musician, he currently splits his attention between guitar instruction, record production, performing across the US and composing new work. He maintains an active private studio with online students from all around the country and he continues to teach at Buckingham, Browne & Nichols in Cambridge, MA, as well as now at the Gordon School and in the greater Providence area. His students range in age from 7 to 75 and play in a variety of styles. Ryan has extensive international performing experience, has worked with Grammy nominated Blues artists and is a kind, patient and encouraging teacher. His lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of the student, often including music reading, playing by ear, counting time and learning songs. Ryan believes that music education is about more than learning technique, it is about connecting to ourselves and each other, by participating in one of humanity’s oldest and greatest traditions.

Cheryl Poisson: piano

Contact: 508-761-4225 (home) or 401-359-3329, cheryl.poisson@juno.com

Cheryl has been teaching piano and keyboard to adults and children for over twenty-five years. She has her Masters Degree from Rhode Island College. Teaching is one of Cheryl's passions! Her philosophy is to offer her students stress free yet professional lessons. Giving exposure to music and the opportunity to learn an instrument is so beneficial for children! She teaches note reading and rhythm in a progressive manner and offers a strong foundation of chord skills with opportunities for solo and duet pieces. Besides giving lessons at the Gordon School since 2014, she is continuing to teach private lessons in her home and remotely to adults as well as young people.

Julia Winemiller: piano

Contact Julia.winemiller@gmail.com 507-244-1799
Julia Winemiller holds a Master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and has been teaching piano for over 15 years. After earning her master’s, she was a science teacher in Denver, Colorado, and in Manizales, Colombia. An educator at heart, she brings her expertise in learning to her piano instruction. She creates individualized curricula that supplement lesson books with additional materials, with an emphasis on classical piano, keyboarding skills, music theory, musicality, and ear training. She also enjoys helping students learn to play songs they know and love! Additionally, she has been a flute player in orchestras and bands throughout college at Washington University in St. Louis. A recent RI transplant, she loves to be outside and learn about all things nature.

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