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(508) 366-5994 ✉ Contact Us

Holiday Hours 2024
We are closed on 11/28, 11/29, 12/24, 12/25 and 12/31 and 1/1 for the Holidays. Please see our Contact Page for more details.

Meet our Teachers!

We're always adding new faces to our teaching staff. Interested in teaching lessons at David French Music? Call us at (508) 366-5994 or send your resume/cover letter to [email protected].


	Adam Mejaour Area of Instruction: Trumpet Adam holds a double Bachelor’s in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from UMASS Amherst. He has been teaching since 2013 and began by independently starting a studio while finishing his studies. When teaching, his varied educational and performing background gives him an eclectic “bag of teaching tools.” He feels comfortable teaching at any age and/or ability level in both the classical and jazz idiom. He credits much of this to his teachers: Bill Fanning (classical, jazz, lead trumpet), Eric Berlin (classical trumpet), and Jeff Holmes (lead and jazz trumpet). He also can be found playing as a member of the Abletones Big Band and High Society Orchestra under the direction of Dan Gabel throughout Massachusetts and New England. Adam teaches at David French Music Monday-Friday.
	Bonnie Cochran Areas of Instruction: Flute, Piccolo Bonnie is a dedicated teacher with more than 15 years of experience teaching students from age 7 to adult. Many of her students participate in Districts, All-State, Community Ensembles, and Summer Music Programs. She has an MM in flute performance from Boston Conservatory & BA in Music and Religious Studies from Agnes Scott College. Other performance locations include Washington D.C., Nashville, Atlanta, and New England, while she is familiar with recording projects through Berklee College of Music, PBS American Experience, Sarah Manning Stuart, and Willow Flute Ensemble. Her principal teachers include Linda Toote, Elinor Preble, and Paul Brittan. An avid chamber musician, Bonnie regularly performs concerts with The Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble, the Cochran-Wrenn Duo and Chamber Music Metrowest. Bonnie teaches lessons on Monday and Thursday at David French Music. Find out more about Bonnie on her website, www.BonnieCochran.net or see her at upcoming events with Chamber Music Metrowest.
	Dimitar Krastev Area of Instruction: Violin, Viola Dimitar Krastev has been teaching and playing the violin for 25 years and received his master’s degree in violin, chamber music, and teaching from the National Music Academy in Bulgaria. He played First Violin in the Bulgarian National Radio Orchestra and has also participated in many different recording projects and tours in various European countries. Before moving to Massachusetts, he taught and played Violin at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León in Monterrey and University of Saltillo Coahuila Mexico. He was a member of the well-renowned Civil College Quartet throughout his time at the university. When not teaching at David French Music, Mr. Krastev teaches violin and viola lessons at Marlborough High School and plays in the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra and the Brockton Symphony Orchestra. Dimitar teaches on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at David French Music.
	Ed Clough Areas of Instruction: Trombone, Euphonium, Baritone Horn, Tuba, Low Brass Ed attended Boston University for Music Performance and has been teaching for 30 years. Ed has studied trombone with Ronald Barron, William Harris, and members of Empire Brass. He is one of the founding members of Boston Brass and is currently on staff at Boston College. Ed likes to use “music theory, history and even singing to give his students a complete grasp of music performance”. Ed specializes in ensemble coaching and encourages all his students to participate in district preparation regardless of ability level. Ed teaches at David French Music on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
	Evie Brogan Area of Instruction: Violin, Voice Evie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music with a concentration in Vocal Studies from Gordon College, studying classical vocal technique under Susan Brooks. She has been playing violin since she was three years old, studying with Kathy Charlestream, David Tasgal, and Janet Packer. Having almost ten years of teaching experience, Evie specializes in vocal instruction for beginning to advanced singers and violin instruction from beginner to intermediate-advanced levels as well as beginner cello and viola. Evie is a co-founder of North County Music in Gardner, MA, where she co-directs the Junior and Senior Youth String Orchestras, Youth Choir and teaches Music Theory, Music History, and Appreciation classes. Evie has a passion for music education and encourages everyone to find their voice through music. Evie teaches at David French Music on Monday and Friday.
	Jess Popik Area of Instruction: Clarinet Jess holds a Bachelor’s in Music Performance from UMass Lowell. She is experienced with preparing students for Districts and All-State and has been teaching private lessons for 12 years, ages 8 to adult. Jess is currently on staff for Westminster Elementary and the Oakmont-Overlook Marching Spartans. Currently, Jessica is performing with the Claflin Hill Summer Wind Ensemble and the Indian Hill Clarinet Choir. She has studied with David Martins and Paul Surapine. Jess teaches at David French Music on Tuesday and Wednesday. (Photography by: © Charles Saulters II http://charlessaultersmedia.com)
	Mario Ramirez Area of Instruction: Cello, Violin, Viola, Piano Mario Ramirez studied at the New England Conservatory under Laurence Lesser and Colin Carr, and then went on to receive awards from the Arnold Schoenberg Institute and the Colburn Foundation. He has also participated in the Idyllwild Art Summer Program, Edinburgh International Music Festival, Tanglewood Music Festival and Piatigorsky Seminar. As a cello soloist, Ramirez has played concertos with the La Jolla Symphony, Savannah Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Guanajuato Symphony (Mexico), Queretaro Philharmonic (Mexico) and has given many chamber, solo, and orchestral concerts throughout the U.S.A., Europe and Israel. A dedicated teacher and pedagogue, Ramirez cultivated a private teaching studio of over seventy students in the metrowest area, the majority of whom were accepted into district and state orchestras and excelled in solo competitions. Now he joins us having spent six years in San Diego with his youth orchestra organization, The New Youth Orchestra. Mario supervised string students from beginner to college level, in their five orchestra and band ensembles. Several of his students went on to pursue music at The Eastman School of Music, Boston Conservatory, Berklee College of Music and Meadowmount School of Music. Mario teaches at David French Music on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
	Rich Graiko Area of Instruction: Trumpet Rich Graiko studied jazz performance at Berklee College of Music and has been teaching and playing for the last 20 years. He was most recently the music department head of the Smith School in Manhattan where he taught trumpet, drums, bass, audio production, ensembles, and music theory. In addition to occupying the original Trumpet seat in the Reggae/Soul group Westbound Train, he is a co-founder/producer of traditional ska group The Void Union and the founder of Brooklyn-based Reggae/Jamaican Jazz band The Brooklyn Attractors and has many other freelance credits. Rich has toured extensively, studied and worked with several renowned musicians and producers and draws upon this diverse professional experiences to deliver balanced and inspirational music lessons. Rich Graiko teaches at David French Music on Wednesday evenings.

	Keith Kramer Area of Instruction: Guitar Keith Allan Kramer, guitarist and composer, currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts. He has taught at Central Connecticut State University, Towson University, University of Miami, University of Maryland College Park and Harford Community College and is currently teaching for the Worcester Public School system. Keith has 30 years of private guitar teaching and freelance performance experience. Keith received his doctorate from the University of Miami and master’s degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Keith is a composer of over 40 works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, solo instruments and electronic media. Keith Kramer's music is at times subtle and restrained, and other times ferocious and demanding. Always searching for new modes of expression, each piece that Keith composes represents another facet of a continuous journey of discovery. The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Miran Vaupotić, recently recorded Keith’s work for cello and orchestra, Luce del Sole, featuring cellist Ovidiu Marinescu. Keith’s music has also been performed and recorded by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, David Taylor, Leonard Garrison and many others. Recent performances of his work include two highly successful all-Kramer programs at New York’s Merkin Hall, documented on the DVD Beyond Sonic Boundaries Live!. Additional all-Kramer releases include the critically acclaimed albums Causal Dualism and Emerge. Keith’s work Sogni was recently premièred and toured by acclaimed British pianist Martin Jones and a European première of his work Rinnovo, for piano and percussion, featured internationally renowned pianist Anna D'Errico. Keith’s work Suspension of Disbelief for piano trio enjoyed its New York City première at Carnegie Hall in 2019. www.keithkramerguitar.com \| www.keithkramer.
	Armand Langlois Area of Instruction: Guitar Armand Langlois has been a dedicated musician and instructor for 35 years. He has been teaching for Music & Arts in both Westborough and East Hartford for 15 years. Armand regularly performs at the Public House, the Morgan House, Rovezzi's, and The Duck in the Sturbridge area. He teaches reading, theory, fretboard dynamic, and solo performance techniques. He works with students of all ages and levels, from beginner to advanced. For many years he performed in jazz bands, rock bands, and country bands. He also hosts 2 recitals a year for his students to have performance opportunities. Armand teaches at David French Music on Tuesday and Thursday.
	Paul Meland Area of Instruction: Clarinet & Saxophone Paul was born in North Carolina and grew up in Minnesota. In middle school, he began playing the saxophone and quickly became interested in jazz and related musics. He moved to Boston in 2014 to attend Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, he found himself immersed in jazz, world, and experimental music and had many opporunities to play and compose in these styles. Paul now attends the New England Conservatory of music, where he studies musicology. Paul teaches at David French Music on Monday and Tuesday.
	Keith Anderson Area of Instruction: Flute & Piccolo Keith Anderson loves all things flute and piccolo. Has taught private lessons for over 10 years and has degrees in flute performance from Boston University and The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Currently, he plays flute and piccolo with the Concord Orchestra and Opera 51. Keith loves finding or creating the perfect exercises for each student to improve embouchure and technique. Etudes, solos and duets also make up a large portion of weekly lessons. Because music is better with friends, he encourages students to play duets and chamber pieces with other students whenever possible to open up more musical possibilities. Keith strives to make a one on one connection with students to help them get the most out of lessons and foster a lifelong love of music. Keith teaches at David French Music on Wednesday.
	Mark Holovnia Area of Instruction: Advanced Percussion Mark attended Westfield State University and has studied privately with the late Alan Dawson (Boston) and Jeff Hamilton ( in Los Angeles). Mark has performed with Frank Capp's Juggernaut, Med Flory's Supersax, Carl Saunders Be-Bop Big Band, Nnenna Freelon, The Harry James and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras, and many other artists in the Los Angeles and Boston areas. His touring credits include Woody Herman's Thundering Herd, The Glenn Miller Band, The Four Freshmen, The Modernaires, Julius Larosa, BuddyDe Franco, and Kay Starr (to name a few). In addition, mark continues to tour nationally with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, and their CD "Stardust and Beyond" has won critical praise. Traveling with singer Steve Lippia and his "Simply Sinatra" show, guest performances have included symphony appearances in Hartford, Kansas City, Las Cruces N.M., Corpus Christi, Cape Cod, Portland ME, and Symphony NH.
	Christopher Kapitz Area of Instruction: Percussion Chris Kapitz is a Berklee College of Music graduate, and has been teaching and playing drums professionally for more than 20 years. He has played live music in the Berklee Percussion ensemble under the direction of Boston Pops esplanade orchestra principal percussionist Dean Anderson, jazz and pop performances with Lynn Jolicoeur and The Pulse, and the Travis Kapitz Goodspeed trio, and for years has been the pit band drummer for the Westborough Community Chorus and Southborough Singers. He has recorded and played with rock bands Ely's Gin and Magnara, as well as playing for numerous wedding parties and musical stage productions in Central Mass and Boston. His host of teachers include Gary Chaffee (author of the Patterns book series and teacher of Vinnie Colaiuta of Sting, Steve Smith of Journey, and Joey Kramer of Aerosmith), Richard Flanagan (percussionist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra), Rod Morgenstein (Winger, Dixie Dregs), and master Latin drummer Bobby Sanabria. His students have gone on to great accomplishments such as playing in school and district bands, collegiate marching bands, the Brandeis University jazz band, and playing live onstage with Shania Twain at the Boston Garden. Experienced in orchestral percussion and various styles on drum set, Kapitz teaches students with many diverse interests, and those of all ages. Chris is currently teaching at David French Music on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
	Bill Fanning Area of Instruction: Trumpet Trumpeter, composer and teacher Bill Fanning performs concerts and conducts clinics both in the U.S. and internationally as a member of the Jeff Coffin Mu’tet. His educational background includes a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory, where he studied improvisation with Jon McNeil, Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, and Bob Brookmeyer, and also private study with the legendary Bobby Shew, while Bill was stationed with the US Navy Band, San Diego. As a freelance musician both in Nashville and in the Northeast, Bill has toured with the Artie Shaw Band, the Benny Goodman Tribute Band, Max Carl and the Big Dance Horns featuring Glenn Frey, and has performed with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and many artists such as Bernard Purdie, Lou Christie, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The O’Jays, and The Temptations.
	Matt J. Capobianco Area of Instruction: Cello Matthew holds a Master of Music with Honors in Cello Performance from the Boston Conservatory and undergraduate degrees in Music Performance and Chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University. Matthew has also logged over 27 years playing experience on the violin and viola. He has performed with various orchestras such as The Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Glens Falls Symphony, Massachusetts Symphony, Thayer Symphony, Symphony by the Sea, Lexington Sinfonietta, Bangor Symphony, and the Vermont Symphony. He was also a member of the five time nominated, two time Grammy winning Albany Symphony Orchestra from 1998 - 2022. With the ASO, he has shared the stage with such world renowned soloists as Yo Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, Yefim Bronfman, and Emmanuel Ax to name just a few. Matthew has also performed with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the Mannheim Steamroller, Peter Gabriel, Dennis DeYoung, Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman, and David Gates.
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	Sarah Southard Area of Instruction: Oboe Dr Sarah Southard is an oboist and educator who recently moved to the Northshore of Boston from Holland, Michigan. She is currently the principal oboist in Holland Symphony Orchestra (Holland, Michigan), adjunct professor at Gordon College (Wenham, Massachusetts), and executive director of the Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras (NMYO). During the summers she teaches at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan where she is also a member of the faculty and staff Festival Ensembles; which are often broadcast live on Blue Lake Radio. As an advocate for new music, Southard has been involved with several commissions of solo and chamber music that includes oboe, giving premiere performances at the International Double Reed Society and National Flute Association conferences. Additionally, she has also presented at the Michigan Music Conference and the University of Michigan 2021 virtual organ conference. As an active musician of both chamber and orchestral music, Sarah has performed at a variety of chamber festivals, such as the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck and the Free@3 series in Holland, Michigan, and with such groups such as the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra (RI), Lansing Symphony Orchestra (MI), West Michigan Symphony Orchestra (MI), Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (NY), New World Symphony Orchestra (FL), Cincinnati Symphony Opera Orchestra (OH), and Madison Symphony and Chamber Orchestras (WI). Before moving to the Boston area, Sarah taught for 16 years at Hope College in Holland Michigan, where her studio flourished. Her students won concerto competitions, were featured performers in the college’s showcase concerts as both soloists and chamber musicians, and have gone on to get jobs teaching and performing. During Spring Semester of 2022 Sarah had the pleasure of being the interim oboe teacher at Michigan State University where she was previously a sabbatical replacement. Additionally, she has taught at Central Michigan University, University of Michigan-Flint, Northern Kentucky University, and the Interlochen Center for the Arts All-State Orchestra and All-State Band. Southard received her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University with oboist Jan Eberle, her Master’s Degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with Mark Ostoich, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying with Marc Fink.

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