***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL RATE*** Those who register before August 23 can receive 10% off their registration cost! Use Promo Code: ELMCITY24 at checkout.

Learn to play the fun, portable ukulele in a group setting! This beginner's class covers ukulele basics like tuning, chords, strumming, and reading music. No experience required! Bring your own ukulele or use one provided. Students will be emailed a supply list of things to bring to the first class. You are highly encouraged to bring any materials or music you already own including songbooks, as well as any songs you are hoping to learn!

Sept. 10 - Oct. 15 | 6 meeting(s)

Note: This class meets on Tuesday evenings from 6pm - 7pm

Limited scholarships are available through Elm City Community Music -- please email info@elmcitymusic.org for more information.

 Meet your Instructor

Jo Hampton grew up in small midwestern Haysville, Kansas. She currently holds a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Music Education from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she played violin in the Coe College Symphony Orchestra. Jo sought out Waterville, Maine, for her first teaching position in 2021, teaching 4th and 5th grades general music and 5th grade chorus at the Albert S. Hall School while also teaching 6th-8th general music through ukulele and keyboard at the Waterville Junior High School. In the fall of 2023 she moved into her current position teaching Kindergarten through 3rd grades general music at the George J. Mitchell School in Waterville. Jo has a passion for guiding students of all ages in finding joy and expression through music in all shapes and forms, and has aspirations for future work in the world of music therapy.

***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL RATE*** Those who register before August 23 can receive 10% off their registration cost! Use Promo Code: ELMCITY24 at checkout.

Explore a variety of genres and techniques in this ensemble for ukulele players with prior experience. Students who have taken Beginner Ukulele or private lessons with Jo Hampton are recommended for this ensemble, as well as any ukulele players with a beginner's understanding of simple chords (C, F, Am, G). Students will explore a variety of chord progressions for popular music, fingerstyle melodies, and improvisation, and strengthen a variety of techniques.

Sept. 10 - Oct. 15 | 6 meeting(s) | Make up class offered on Oct. 22, if needed.

Note: This class meets on Tuesday evenings from 7pm - 8pm

Limited scholarships are available through Elm City Community Music -- please email info@elmcitymusic.org for more information.

 Meet your Instructor

Jo Hampton grew up in small midwestern Haysville, Kansas. She currently holds a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Music Education from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she played violin in the Coe College Symphony Orchestra. Jo sought out Waterville, Maine, for her first teaching position in 2021, teaching 4th and 5th grades general music and 5th grade chorus at the Albert S. Hall School while also teaching 6th-8th general music through ukulele and keyboard at the Waterville Junior High School. In the fall of 2023 she moved into her current position teaching Kindergarten through 3rd grades general music at the George J. Mitchell School in Waterville. Jo has a passion for guiding students of all ages in finding joy and expression through music in all shapes and forms, and has aspirations for future work in the world of music therapy.

You will learn the basic chords and scales and by the end of this 6-week class you will be able to play songs for your own entertainment or to entertain others.

The Messalonskee Adult Education Office will send the supply list once we have enough students for the class. Bring songs that you know or want to learn and bring extra copies for others. There will be no class on Oct. 9 due to Parent Teacher Conferences. Storm makeup will be Oct. 30. Limit 10 students.

***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL RATE*** Those who register before August 23 can receive 10% off their registration cost! Use Promo Code: ELMCITY24 at checkout. 

NOTE: SIGNING UP FOR YOUR LESSON SLOT PREFERENCE

After you have completed registration, you will receive an email confirmation from Adult Education with your registration details. PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE EMAIL TO FIND A LINK TO CHOOSE YOUR LESSON SLOT PREFERENCE. 

Choose from the following instruments to receive instruction in: 

• Acoustic Guitar with Torin Smith or Kinsey Johnson
• Bassoon or Oboe with Wendy Large
• Flute, Clarinet, or Saxophone with Wendy Large or Katie Little
• Cello with Betsy Kobayashi
• String Bass with Betsy Kobayashi
• Electric Guitar with Ezra Jones or Kinsey Johnson
• Bass Guitar with Lexi Johnson
• French Horn or Trumpet with Lizzie Henyan
• Piano with Wendy Large, Christina Spurling, or Brendan Wilson
• Percussion/Drums with Torin Smith or Meagan Johnson
• Trombone or Tuba with Josh Lund
• Violin with Lori Scheck or Deirdre Wood Becher
• Viola with Lori Scheck
• Voice with Katie Little, Josh Lund, or Torin Smith
  
• Rock Band/Pop Vocals with Lexi Johnson

Learners will receive either a weekly 30-minute or 60-minute private lesson focused on instrument technique and repertoire.  Limited scholarships are available through Elm City Community Music -- please email info@elmcitymusic.org for more information.  All ages, All levels, All instruments

Choose the type of lesson that is the best fit for you:

• 30-minute private lesson: $200 per student
• 60-minute small group lesson (2-3 students at a similar skill level): $290 per student
• 60-minute private lesson: $380 per student.

Registration for the fall session will close on Wednesday, October 23 to allow time for Elm City staff to confirm all lesson times with learners and instructors.

Those who register early will have first choice of lesson time slots!

For students who are 15 years or younger: A parent/guardian must remain on-site for the duration of the lesson. 

Oct. 26 - Dec. 14 | 6 meeting(s) | No class meeting on Nov. 9 & Nov. 30. Make-up class offered on Dec. 21, if needed.

Exact lesson slot times will vary by instructor but will held between 8:00am - 1:00pm on Saturdays. 

NOTE: SIGNING UP FOR YOUR LESSON SLOT PREFERENCE

After you have completed registration, you will receive an email confirmation from Adult Education with your registration details. PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE EMAIL TO FIND A LINK TO CHOOSE YOUR LESSON SLOT PREFERENCE. 

***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL RATE*** Those who register before August 23 can receive 10% off their registration cost! Use Promo Code: ELMCITY24 at checkout.

No experience necessary! Learn Taiko drumming and Japanese culture in this highly energetic, hands-on, and fun class! Drums and drumsticks will be provided for classes. Optional extra $10 fee to buy your own drumsticks directly from the instructor, cash or check only. This class is designed for learners in Grade 6 through Adult. 

We are pleased to offer two separate sessions this semester. Sign up for one or both sessions!

• Sept. 7 - Oct. 19 | 6 meeting(s) | No class meeting on Oct. 12. Make up class offered on Oct. 22, if needed.
• Oct. 26 - Dec. 14 | 6 meeting(s) | No class meeting Nov. 9 or Nov. 30. Make-up class offered on Dec. 21, if needed.

Limited scholarships are available through Elm City Community Music -- please email info@elmcitymusic.org for more information.

Meet your instructor

Brendan Wilson is teaching private lessons and music theory at the Arts After School Program at Snow Pond Center for the Arts.  Brendan was born in Ivins, Utah, starting piano at age 5. He continued to play some piano and sing through high school until making a decision to pursue Music Education at the University of Vermont, receiving a Bachelor's in 2014.

Brendan has worked in summer camps as a Music Specialist and Accompanist for camp Broadway Shows, including Seussical, Rock of Ages, James and the Giant Peach, Hello Dolly and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! He has had the opportunity to work on a variety of music projects such as Music Composition and Fine Arts collaboration projects of composing music associated with album designs created by students. He is currently a Piano Accompanist at Hall-Dale Schools, the Pineland Suzuki Strings program, and Penney Memorial Baptist Church. 

***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL RATE*** Those who register before August 23 can receive 10% off their registration cost! Use Promo Code: ELMCITY24 at checkout.

Discover the core concepts of music technology and gain hands-on experience with industry tools. Explore the science of sound and learn the art of recording, mixing, and mastering. From zero to a finished recording, we'll guide you through the process. Bring your cell phone, laptop, or 4-track recorder. All ages and skill levels welcome!

We are pleased to offer two separate sessions this semester. Sign up for one or both sessions!

• Sept. 7 - Oct. 19 | 6 meeting(s) | No class meeting on Oct. 12. Make up class offered on Oct. 22, if needed.
• Oct. 26 - Dec. 14 | 6 meeting(s) | No class meeting Nov. 9 or Nov. 30. Make-up class offered on Dec. 21, if needed.

Limited scholarships are available through Elm City Community Music -- please email info@elmcitymusic.org for more information.

 Meet your instructor

Alex Fulton is a music producer and the founder of music-driven media production company Fulton Street Media Group. He has 15 years of professional experience producing records with artists and custom music for Film, TV, and Advertising, and represents a roster of 80+ artists from around the country. He has placed music on TV shows for CBS, Showtime, Netflix and BET, and in commercials for Nike, Google, Mazda, John Deere, Nature Valley, Ralph Lauren, and more.

His current focus is on the ways music encodes and recalls memory and evokes emotion, and how that can be harnessed for health and wellness, education, storytelling, and business.

Ezra Jones is an  experienced engineer and producer who has worked on a number of projects, both of his own and of other artists. Ezra’s  mixing style is heavily inspired by popular engineers of the '90s (i.e. Andy Wallace, Rob Schnapf) to achieve a full, gutsy sound no matter the genre. Ezra is a composer and  guitarist of 16+ years and will be teaching guitar lessons.

***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL RATE*** Those who register before August 23 can receive 10% off their registration cost! Use Promo Code: ELMCITY24 at checkout.

Explore the craft of songwriting with Meagan and Lexi Johnson of the band Random Ideas. Learn the essentials of form, chord structures, and melody creation while turning your emotions into music. This class is designed for those with a background in a chordal instrument and a willingness to sing. Unleash your creativity and join us on this musical journey.

Oct. 26 - Dec. 14 | 6 meeting(s) | No class meeting Nov. 9 or Nov. 30. Make-up class offered on Dec. 21, if needed.

Limited scholarships are available through Elm City Community Music -- please email info@elmcitymusic.org for more information.

 Meet your instructor

Meagan Johnson is a drummer and songwriter. She has been drumming in her punk rock band Random Ideas for 14 years. They have taken their passion for human rights and social issues to write powerful high energy music. She has recorded two full length albums with her band with Josh Small at the Husson University studio. She has years of experience playing gigs all over Maine and surrounding states.

Lexi Johnson has been performing in the punk rock band Random Ideas for 14 years. Lexi and her band have played all over New England at places such as Punk Island in New York, Midway Cafe in Boston, and Port City Music Hall in Maine. Lexi is a singer, bass player, and songwriter and has performed in jazz bands, rock bands, and percussion ensembles. Lexi has a love of music, and hopes to pass it on to others whether it is teaching it, performing it or even just talking about it.

***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL RATE*** Those who register before August 23 can receive 10% off their registration cost! Use Promo Code: ELMCITY24 at checkout.

This is a parent/child class for toddlers through kindergarten. Whether you are a “wee” child embarking on a violin journey, or part of the family, community or world supporting a young child, together “wee” can make music.

World Music Preparatory to Twinkle will bring joy and music into learning solid foundational technique in beginning violin lessons. Wee Violin uses music that children worldwide naturally sing and incorporate into play. With rich harmonies, diverse melodies, and a variety of tonalities and meters, families can easily engage with the music alongside their child. As children listen, sing, and dance, they instinctively imitate these tunes on their instrument.  

Each song is carefully paired with a fundamental violin technique, from proper stance to bow hold to finger placement. This approach ensures that while children play music they love, they're simultaneously building a solid technical foundation.

We are pleased to offer two separate sessions this semester. Sign up for one or both sessions!

• Sept. 7 - Oct. 19 | 6 meeting(s) | No class meeting on Oct. 12.Make up class offered on Oct. 22, if needed.
• Oct. 26 - Dec. 14 | 6 meeting(s) | No class meeting Nov. 9 or Nov. 30. Make-up class offered on Dec. 21, if needed.

Limited scholarships are available through Elm City Community Music -- please email info@elmcitymusic.org for more information.

Meet Your Instructor

Lori Scheck grew up in Endicott, New York, and began playing violin at the age of 8. After her first year of lessons in public school, she began taking private lessons and studied the Suzuki method until the age of 18. After moving to Maine in her early 20’s she took a 14 year hiatus from playing the violin. After some child rearing and other major life changes, she resumed playing violin in late 2001. She has studied privately with Steve Kecskemethy, principal violinist of the Portland String Quartet. Lori attended Suzuki teacher training classes for Suzuki instruction at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, Hart Music School in Hartford, Connecticut, and Stanford University in Paolo Alto, California. Lori is an active board member of the Maine Suzuki Association and is a certified Music Together teacher.  She is also a member of the Colby College Symphony Orchestra in Waterville, ME. Occasionally, she plays piano trios and string quartets with other area musicians. In her spare time, Lori enjoys playing violin and cello duets with her husband for public events and just for fun.