1. art and entertainment
2. music
3. musical instruments
4. drums

A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CMS Friends,
Please allow me to introduce myself as your new
Executive Director - I am very excited to join the CMS
family, & look forward to meeting everyone! CMS has
an exceptional history & tradition of music education,
& I hope to work with our faculty & students to build
on that tradition to jettison CMS into the next stage
of its evolution. For 91 years the talented & dedicated faculty of CMS has
provided an exceptional music education guided by the profound belief that
music is for people of all ages, ambitions, backgrounds & abilities - I sincerely
hope that you will remain a part of our family as we look forward to where
the next 91 years will take us. Thank you for making Community Music School
a part of your life, & for being a part of ours!
Very Sincerely,
Jennifer M. Koch, PhD
HOW TO REGISTER
Online: Easy & secure: www.communitymusicbuffalo.org
Call: Request a registration packet at 716.884.4887
Visit: 415 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo, between Bryant & Summer
INDIVIDUAL LESSONS
All schedules & locations subject to change.
Piano: Age 7-adult
Elmwood | Clarence | East Aurora | Larkin | Snyder
Voice: Age 12-adult
Elmwood | Clarence | East Aurora | Larkin | Lockport | Snyder
Strings: Age 5-adult
Cello, Fiddle, Mandolin, Viola, Violin, Upright Bass
Elmwood | Clarence | Larkin | Snyder
Guitar/Electric Bass: Age 9-adult
Elmwood | East Aurora | Larkin
Percussion: Age 9-adult
Drums, Drum Set, Marimba | Elmwood
Winds: Age 9-adult
Clarinet, Flute, French Horn, Piccolo, Recorder, Saxophone, Trombone,
Trumpet, Tuba
Elmwood | Larkin | Snyder
Theory/Composition: Age 13-adult | Elmwood
COST
Lessons are held once per week.
30 minutes $23.00 per lesson | 45 minutes $34.50 per lesson
60 minutes $46.00 per lesson
+annual $20.00 registration fee, prorated for multiple students in one family
Students enrolled in individual lessons receive a 50% loyalty discount
for classes & ensembles.
Financial aid may be available depending on need & other requirements set
by donors to CMS.
CLASSES FOR CHILDREN
All schedules & locations subject to change.
Students enrolled in individual lessons receive a 50% loyalty discount for
classes & ensembles.
Music, My Grownup & Me: Birth-5 years with supervising adult
with Christina Brown, Maria Goodrich or Cheryl Hudson
Grownups & children bond through singing, rhythm & movement. The perfect
way to introduce your child to the joy of music. We will now be giving each
child who attends MGM a small musical instrument for take home practice
& play! Themes for spring will include trucks, patriotic songs, Cinco de Mayo,
teddy bears & music from “Carnival of the Animals.” Children under 6
months attend free with paying sibling. | 45-minute class
Mon, 9:30-10:15 am OR 10:30-11:15 am | Apr 20-Jun 22
$135 for 9 classes | with Cheryl Hudson | Snyder
Tues, 5:15-6:00 pm | Apr 21- Jun 23
$149 for 10 classes | Elmwood
Wed, 9:15-10:00 am OR 10:15-11:00 am | Apr 22-June 24
$149 for 10 classes | with Christina Brown | Elmwood
Thurs, 10:15-11:00 am | Apr 23-Jun 25
$149 for 10 classes | with Maria Goodrich | Elmwood
Sat, 9:30-10:15 am | Apr 25-Jun 27
$149 for 10 classes | with Maria Goodrich | Elmwood
Piano Exploration: 5-6 years old; parents need not attend
with Christina Brown
Children learn about the piano through basic note reading, movement, games,
singing & ear training. Students must have a piano or keyboard at home.
PE1 for new students only, PE2 for returning students. | 45-minute class
PE1 | Tues, 6:15-7:00 pm | Apr 21-Jun 23
$149 for 10 classes | Elmwood
PE2 | Wed, 4:30-5:15 pm | Apr 22-Jun 24
$149 for 10 classes | Elmwood
PE2 | Wed, 5:30-6:15 pm | Apr 22-Jun 24
$149 for 10 classes | Elmwood
The Joy of Singing Together: 6-9 years old
with Maria Goodrich
Youngsters learn singing techniques by learning & performing in a group.
Orff instruments will be explored. | 45-minute class
Sat, 10:30-11:15 am | Apr 25-Jun 13, +recital Jun 13
$119 for 8 classes | Elmwood
Totally Tween Voice Class: 10-12 years old
with Maria Goodrich
Tweens learn fun songs in a group setting... plus, choose one piece for an
individual “mini” voice lesson within the group! | 45-minute class
Sat, 11:30 am -12:15 pm | Apr 25-Jun 13, +recital Jun 13
$119 for 8 classes | Elmwood
CLASSES FOR ADULTS
All schedules & locations subject to change.
Students enrolled in individual lessons receive a 50% loyalty discount for
classes & ensembles.
Introductory Piano for Adults
with Hassan Al-Mufti
For adults with little or no keyboard experience. Students will learn basic
piano technique, note reading & rhythms. Close interaction with the
instructor, an experienced concert pianist. | 60-minute class
PA1 Wed, 6:30-7:30 pm | Apr 15-Jun 3
$120 for 8 classes | Elmwood
PA2 Tues, 6:45-7:45 pm | Apr 14-Jun 2
$120 for 8 classes | Elmwood
ENSEMBLES
All schedules & locations subject to change.
Starter Strings: 7+ years old
with Rebecca Torres
Beginner to intermediate string students learn how to play in a group setting.
Must have own instrument.
Mon, 6:30-7:30 pm | Apr 20-Jun 15
$80 for 8 sessions | Elmwood
Fiddle ‘n Folk Ensemble: Teens & adults.
with Phil Banaszak
Members learn to play folk music in a jam setting as they improvise, play by
ear & have an all-around good time. Must have own instrument.
Wed, 7:15-8:15 pm | Apr 22-Jun 24
$100 for 10 sessions | Elmwood
Glee Club: Teens & adults.
with Maria Goodrich
Members have fun singing Broadway, pop, rock & folk music with an
experienced director. Songs for spring are Don’t Stop Believing by Journey,
Happy by Pharrell Williams & an Into the Woods medley. Music reading is
helpful but not required.
Thurs, 6:30-7:30 pm | Apr 16-Jun 11, +recital Jun 13
$90 for 9 sessions | Elmwood
MUSIC THERAPY
All schedules & locations subject to change.
Individual Music Therapy Sessions: All ages.
Our board-certified music therapist offers individual sessions using music to
help people with a variety of diagnoses, at our Elmwood location. Visit our
website or call for more information.
30 minutes $30.00 per lesson | 45 minutes $45.00 per lesson
60 minutes $60.00 per lesson
+annual $20.00 registration fee, prorated for multiple students in one family
Financial aid may be available depending on need & other requirements set
by donors to CMS.
Individual Adaptive Lessons
See “Individual Lessons” page for pricing.
Our music therapist offers the following individual lessons, adapted for
people with special needs:
Piano (age 7-adult)
Violin (age 7-adult)
Voice (age 12-adult)
Guitar (age 10-adult)
Recorder (age 10-adult)
FACULTY & STAFF
Teacher bios & photos available at www.communitymusicbuffalo.org
Piano Department
Hassan Al-Mufti, Chair
Kenneth Atkinson, Chair Emeritus
Joe Brancato
Shirley Chan
Suzanne Chapin
Edward Kramer
Fran Landis
Michael McNeill
Jonathan Pilier
Anna Whistler
Kenneth Young
Voice Department
Maria Goodrich, Chair
Jill Raisen Buerk
Matthew DiCamillo
Maria Lindsey
Audrey Shafer
Paul Waara
Elizabeth Wojtowicz
Instrumental Department
Phil Banaszak, Chair (Strings)
Leslie Bahler (Strings)
Brian C-DeJesus (Upright Bass)
David Gallagher (Percussion)
Kevin Helfrich (Guitar/Electric Bass)
Elyse Kochmanski (Strings)
Carol McLaughlin (Winds/Jazz)
Gary Rutkowski (Percussion)
Rebecca Torres (Strings)
Christine Treimanis (Cello)
Peter VanDyke (Guitar)
Michael Zak, PhD (Guitar/Electric Bass/Theory/Composition)
Childhood Music Department
Christina Brown, Chair
Maria Goodrich
Cheryl Hudson
Music Therapy
Elyse Kochmanski, MT-BC
Helene Gilbert
Staff
Mike Badzinski, Administrative Assistant
David Dougherty, Custodian
Jennifer Guillow, Manager of Music Education
Leta Hooser, Clerical Assistant
Jennifer M. Koch, PhD, Executive Director
Shana Lee, Receptionist
Bethany Perl, Marketing/Executive Assistant