Private Lessons

The Bedford public schools offer group music lessons during school hours. Currently, string instrument lessons are offered to students beginning in 4th grade, and band instrument lessons are offered to students beginning in 5th grade. Check with your child’s school to ask what other group music lessons might be offered during school hours.

POMS (Patrons of Music Students) is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers which offers any school-age child living in Bedford or attending Bedford Public Schools the opportunity to study locally with a professional musician. The music lessons are available after school approximately 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays. Thirty-, forty-five- and sixty-minute lessons are available through POMS. The lessons are held at the Bedford Public Schools depending on room availability. Note that transportation to and from these lessons is not provided by POMS or by the Bedford Schools. We are offering in-person AND virtual lessons this year, depending on student and teacher preference.

For questions about private lessons, visit our FAQs page or contact Jim O’Malley. Financial aid is available as needed.

Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now closed.

2023-2024 POMS Private Lesson Registration Form

Here is the current list of private-lesson music teachers. Teachers marked with an asterisk are accepting new students this year.

  • Sonny Barbato* (Accordion, Piano, Guitar)
  • Ken Budka* (Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele)
  • Edith Epstein (Violin/Viola)
  • Kate Goldstein (Violin/Viola)
  • Caitlin Hartig* (Violin, Viola & Piano) — remote only
  • Leslie Havens* (Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium, Trumpet & Horn)
  • Tsuyoshi Honjo (Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute)
  • Alan Johnson* (Piano)
  • Solmaz Kafi (Piano)
  • Lili Kauffmann* (Voice)
  • Kenji Kikuchi (Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet)
  • Yoshiko Kline (Piano)
  • Jessica Lizak* (Flute)
  • Marianne Lopriore (Piano)
  • Phil Maffa (Violin)
  • Kay Rooney* (Violin/Viola)
  • Brian McGravey (Piano)
  • Matt Ross (Electric & Acoustic Guitar)*
  • Danielle Shevchenko* (Voice)
  • Johann Soults (Cello)
  • Derek Tanch (Piano)
  • John Tanzer* (Percussion & Drums)

 

If you need to rent or buy an instrument, POMS recommends several local dealers.

  • Leonards Music (orchestra and band instruments; will deliver to Bedford schools)
    128 Great Road, Bedford, MA 01730, 781-271-1189, www.leonardsmusic.com, info@leonardsmusic.com
  • East Cambridge Piano (Pianos and tuning and repair)
    343 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145, 617-354-4061, www.eastcambridgepiano.com, cambpiano@hotmail.com
  • Music & Arts Center (all instruments),
    273 Lenox Street, Norwood, MA 02062, 781-769-7543, www.MusicArts.com
  • Johnson Strings
    11 John Street, Newton Center, MA 02159, 617-964 0954, www.johnsonstring.com
  • The Minor Chord (cellos, guitars, keyboards, violas, violins)
    222 Great Road, Littleton, MA 01460, 978-486-0112, www.theminorchord.com
  • Spencer Brook Strings
    9 Linden Street, Maynard, MA 01754, 978-897-6382, www.spencerbrookstrings.com