Instructors
All of our instructors are suitable for any age student.
John Ambrose, Sax, Flute, Clarinet, Guitar & Bass - Director, ABC Music School
John studied music at Gordon College and at the University of Hartford. After a long journey through several schools, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Connecticut with a degree in English Literature. He believes that music theory and history should be an essential part of every musicians education.
Some of the many instruments John plays include: guitar, ukulele harmonica, saxophone, flute, clarinet and piano. He enjoys singing as much as he enjoys playing whatever instrument he can find. John has studied classical and jazz, but his true passion is for rock music. He has played in many bands, such as Palomino and his current project: Zombie Shakespeare and the Midsummer Nightmares.
His musical influences include The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, the Who, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, the Clash, the Smiths, Pixies, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Wilco and Sufjan Stevens. He collects vinyl records and dusty old novels. John could do none of this without the loving support of his beautiful wife Lisa.
John is currently teaching saxophone, clarinet, flute, guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, harmonica and music theory. John is available Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs and Sat. CALL 860-618-2367 to schedule with John.
Hank Milligan, Piano, Drums & Guitar
Hank has a Bachelor of Music from DePaul University and completed a teacher's certification program at Western Connecticut State University. Hank has taught general music, (Pre-K-8) at St. Joseph School in Brookfield. His vast musical resume includes countless club dates, cruise ships, and concerts. He enjoys teaching all students in any musical style.
He plays piano Thursday evenings and Sunday Brunch at J.D. Tucker's Restaurant in Washington and he also performs at Merryall Center for the Arts, the Richter Association for the Arts, and various local venues.
Learn more about Hank at hankmilligan.com.
NEW AT ABC MUSIC SCHOOL! THE ALAN SWAIN KEYBOARD METHOD SYSTEM....EXCLUSIVE HERE IN CT WITH HANK! CALL 860-618 2367 to schedule with Hank. All levels of piano, guitar, and drums.
Chet Lichaj, Guitar
Chet says "I'm excited as a kid everyday to play the guitar." This kind of enthusiasm translates to a VERY effective way of instructing guitar. Though Chet instructs in all styles, his main love is Jazz of all kinds and he has a special affinity for classical guitar and classical music as well.
Growing up Chet loved Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Yngwie Malmsteen and Stevie Ray Vaughn. It was through these iconic guitar luminaries that Chet branched into Frank Zappa, Steve Vai and countless other guitarists looking to push the boundaries of the instrument. Chet's main jazz influences include: Joe D'Orio, Chick Corea, George Benson, Alan Holdsworth, Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Keith Jarret, Kurt Rosenwinkle and Jim Hall.
Chet has studied with such local luminaries as Dave Santoro, Tony Perrone, Don Neri,John Stowell, Tony Lombardozzi and currently studies weekly with Joe D'Orio. Chet also has an extensive collection of well studied works that have elevated his playing to the level of his peers and beyond. Chet's exhaustive study of the masters has enabled him to understand, translate and apply the knowledge in his lesson program so that students feel as though they are learning and progressing instead of just being given a "lesson".
Chet enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog, a good meal and tending to his woodland property in NW CT.
CALL NOW TO SIGN UP WITH CHET ON MONDAYS, THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS OR SATURDAYS! CALL 860-618-2367 to schedule with Chet.
Jennifer Johnson Osborne, Voice, Piano
Jennifer Johnson Osborne has been singing professionally since the age of eighteen. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in voice performance from the University of New Hampshire, and pursued graduate work in opera at Memphis State University while a resident singer with the Memphis Opera Theatre.
Equally comfortable and experienced on the operatic, musical theatre or concert stage, she is also a teacher who specializes in teaching the fundamentals of good vocal production. Breath support, diction, stage presence and projection are the basics which will provide a performer a lifetime of good singing. She is knowledgeable in French, German, Italian, Spanish and American repertoire.
An avid animal love, Jennifer can be found spending her down time with her beloved Jack Russell terrier, Toby (named after a mute character in the opera "The Medium" because he didn't bark for the first month she had him. Of course, as soon as he was christened "Toby" he began to bark!) She is the proud mother of George Douglas Osborne, who lives in Woodbury, CT. and is an information technology professional.
Jennifer welcomes all people, regardless of age, with a passion for music and singing.
Jennifer is available on Tuesdays and Fridays for piano and voice instruction. Please call 860-618-2367 to schedule with Jennifer. Call now to sign up with Jennifer to further your musical interests!
Sarah Powell, Piano & Voice
Sarah is a recent graduate from Central Connecticut State University, with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. She was a member of the auditioned group, The Central Connecticut State University; University Singers. She has traveled to Europe for singing tours with this prestigious group. Sarah is a vocalist and a pianist. She enjoys singing all types of music, especially Broadway Show Tunes. Sarah listens to an eclectic mix of music, anything from Renee Flemming to Wicked to Alice in Chains to Bon Jovi.
Apart from music, her interests are her dog Giuseppe, reading, painting, hiking, kayaking, dancing, napping (hahaha), meditating, swimming in her pool, and watching a good movie! Sarah is a very fun, down to earth person who enjoys being around people, especially children!!! Music is her life, and she loves to share it with others!!!
Sarah currently teaches music for the Region 6 school system and lucky for us, at ABC Music School as well. Sarah's positive personality and smile will get you on the fast track to musical success!
Sarah is available Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. CALL 860-618-2367 to schedule with Sarah.
Crystal Incorvaia, Piano
I am originally from Salem, New Hampshire. I have been teaching beginner to intermediate piano students for about 7 years, 4 years out of my home and 3 at a music studio.
My own first lessons in music were from my dad who played the organ followed by two professional piano teachers. I always try to employ creative teaching methods that help my students, especially young ones, to love music and get excited to learn more. I believe, as any musician, that music is an amazing gift to have in your life so getting the students to love the piano and love the learning process is always top priority. I have learned from my years teaching how to adapt my teaching style to the student's needs and interests but typically prefer using Faber and Faber's Piano Adventure method books along with the music theory activity books.
I truly enjoy working with kids and find sharing music very rewarding. I myself enjoy playing classical music most of all and also some Broadway and movie hits. Other interests include art, drawing, animals and spending time with my hubby, Marco and German Shepherd, Starr.
Crystal is available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and early evenings. AGES 5-16 only. CALL 860-618-2367 to schedule with Crystal.
Chris Barry, Drums, Recording, Beginning Guitar
Chris graduated from the Hartford Conservatory where he majored in Record Production. Guitar was his first instrument, with private lessons beginning at age 8 and continuing through high school. While attending the Conservatory he declared drum set his primary instrument and studied jazz percussion under Justin Ottaviano.
He now keeps a busy schedule of audio engineering, as well as guitar and drum session work for artists in the greater Hartford and western MA areas. He is also lead guitarist for the country rock band Littlehouse.
He loves to teach all ages, and as an instructor he abides wholeheartedly by the Einstein quote, "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."
He enjoys everything from bebop jazz to hair metal, but you're just as likely to find him listening to country music or New Wave. In his free time he enjoys automobiles of all kinds, and can frequently be seen at summer car shows with his 1985 Nissan Z.
Chris is available for all levels of drums and beginning guitar! Call 860-618-2367 to schedule with Chris.
Ben Loomis, Drums and Percussion
Ben Loomis is a percussionist at Central Connecticut State University. He is currently a junior, working on his degree in Music Education. He is currently a member of several different ensembles at Central, including: Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Chamber Winds, Percussion Ensemble, Penn Station Jazz Combo and the Blue Devil's Marching Band.
He has experience in all genres of drumming, ranging from rock to blues, but specializes in jazz drumming. He also has a wide knowledge of percussion and hand drumming. Ben has worked and studied under the instruction of: Alan Richardson, Tom Melito, John Marshall and many more. Some of his favorite musicians/bands include Coltrane, Davis, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Jethro Tull and many more.
Alongside drumming, Ben also enjoys fishing and kayaking.
Ben is currently instructing on Saturday's and Sunday's at ABC Music School CALL 860-618-2367 to schedule with Ben.
Janet Marlow, Recording Technology
Janet Marlow is an international recording artist known for her mastery of multiple styles of guitar, composing and jazz vocals. Her performances have taken her around the world, which include venues such as the Lincoln Center, the Texaco Jazz Festival, Festival Estival De Paris, Quick Center for the Arts,The Apollo, Carnegie Hall and the Blue Note, NYC.
Her virtuosity has been heard as a soloist, with orchestras and with her contemporary jazz quintet. Audiences enjoy her fresh personal style. She has composed for television documentaries, stage premieres in Hong Kong and Europe and performs on screen in Woody Allen's Celebrity. Her playing is featured in the award winning film "Swimmers" directed by Doug Sadler, music by Paul Cantelon and David Darling. Janet Marlow is the Founder and Director of The International Ten-String Guitar Society and Festivals. Born in London, Janet Marlow is the fifth generation of concert artists.
Classically trained as a violinist and pianist, she studied classical guitar in classes with Maestro Andres Segovia, Julian Bream, Abel Carlevaro and Leo Brouwer and Maestro Narciso Yepes, the innovator of the ten-string guitar. Moving to jazz was a natural process for Janet. This evolution began in New York where she was personally influenced by jazz legends Bill Evans and Joe Pass. Spending time with these jazz great artists inspired her to create original compositions and arrangements for guitar and jazz ensemble. Her recordings bring her classical and jazz worlds together in solo and ensemble composition.
As an educator, Janet Marlow has been artist-in-residence at New York University and the Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Marlow has lectured at Yale University on the "Aesthetics in Music" and teaches workshops on composition and practicing techniques. Janet Marlow is hailed as a master teacher for technique, improvisation and composition having taught the joy of learning guitar to many students. Her latest book entitled Guitar Tips and Techniques :What Every Great Guitarist Knows About Practicing is available on Amazon.
Janet is currently the instructor for our "Make Your Own CD" music technology course. Learn easy step by step recording, songwriting or create your own band sound creating your own CD. All levels welcomed. Janet is also available for private and workshop instruction.
Gennifer Dorgan, Low Brass
Gennifer Dorgan, trombonist, is currently an undergraduate at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. She is pursuing studies in German and music. Gennifer has had considerable experience as a classical trombonist in high school and college.
She currently performs with the Knox County Symphony, the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds, and the Kenyon College Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Her areas of experience also include musical theater, chamber music, early music, and jazz.
She is originally from Woodbury, Connecticut and plays in the area during the summer.
Gennifer will be available starting in late May. If you are looking to brush up or advance your low brass studies during the summer Gennifer can help! CALL 860-618-2367 to schedule with Gennifer.
Dana M. LaPorta, Piano - Beginner to Advanced
Dana LaPorta holds her Bachelor's degree from the Hartt School of Music and her Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music. She has studied with Paul Rutman at Hartt and Constance Keene and Arkady Aronov at Manhattan School of Music. She has played recitals and served as accompanist for many events in New York and Connecticut. Her most recent performances include: soloist at St. Paul Festival of the Arts in Nyack and performances at the annual Westport School of Music Faculty Chamber Music Concerts. She has taught privately in New York and Connecticut. She was a member of the faculty at the Greenwich Country Day School and is currently teaching at the Westport School of Music.
Dana enjoys the outdoors, gardening and spending time with her young son and husband. We are delighted to welcome Dana to the ABC Music School family. Her delightful personality and knowledge of music are just the ticket to a wonderful music education experience. Watching and listening to Dana play is truly a wonderful experience...her touch and technique are astounding!!
Dana is available summers only starting 1/11 We wish you the best Dana! Thank you for helping us grow!