Author: nygms

Valerie Xu-Friedman – Violin

Valerie Xu-Friedman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from the University of Michigan, where she studied under Danielle Belen, and is an alumna of Interlochen Arts Academy. She has performed with orchestras across Michigan, including the Flint, Adrian, Jackson, Lansing, Saginaw Bay, and Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestras.

Valerie has participated in renowned summer programs such as Interlochen Arts Camp, Center Stage Strings, Harpa International Music Academy, Chautauqua Institution, and the Aspen Music Festival. In addition to her performance experience, she has taught both private and chamber music lessons through the BRAVO Workshop.

A two-time participant on NPR’s From the Top, Valerie has also performed at Carnegie Hall as a pianist and was featured on NPR in collaboration with rapper Common. She brings this diverse musical background into her teaching, fostering both technical excellence and a genuine love for music in her students.

Alessia Paolini – Voice & Piano

Italian Soprano Alessia Paolini (She, Her) received her second Master’s Degree in Voice Performance in May of 2018. In 2015 she earned a Master’s degree in Voice at the Conservatory of Music of L’Aquila, her hometown, where she also earned a BA in Piano Performance. She has performed in France, Sweden, Italy, Austria, and New York City. She’s versatile in different styles, from Opera, her main focus, to Jazz.
Alongside performing, Alessia loves teaching and has been doing so since 2010, privately and in conjunction with various institutions. Her goal is to offer her students the right tools to tackle the difficulties of singing and playing the piano with proficiency, and discover the joy of making music, with fun lessons tailored to students of all ages.

Michael Lukasiewicz – Woodwinds & Brass

Michael Lukasiewicz is a clarinet player and teacher from Buffalo, NY. In 2017, he graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, which has given him the skills needed to teach many different instruments, with a specialty in woodwinds and brass. Michael’s main instrument is the clarinet, having studied and performed on many different members of the clarinet family, including bass and contra-bass clarinets. As a teacher, his style is fun, easy going and relaxed, while maintaining a structured curriculum that has clear goals and step-by-step progress based around a multi-level progression. Michael would be an excellent teacher for any student looking to advance their playing, and has worked with students and teachers in many school districts around Western New York.

Mike Slomowicz- Guitar, Bass

Mike Slomowicz holds both B.A. (Canisius College) and M.M. (University at Buffalo) degrees in classical guitar performance.  He has several years of experience in rock and jazz ensembles, as well as in theatre pit bands and classical groups.  Mike has been fortunate to open for a variety of national acts, including KC and the Sunshine Band, The Commodores, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Billy Sheehan, and SWV.  From 2012-2015, he served as guitarist and musical director for popular lounge performer Lance Diamond.  He is currently performing locally with the Cool Platinum Band (R&B/funk) and DMW Jazz, among other groups.  In addition to guitar, Mike has background in piano, ukulele, and banjo. Mike’s musical influences include The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Carlos Santana, KISS, Andres Segovia, Living Colour, Eric Clapton, just to name a few. Mike is the perfect teacher for advanced students looking to get into Music Theory, classical fingerpicking, or Jazz, however his teaching style can work for students of any age and skill level. 

Josh English- Drums

Josh is a highly sought after touring and session drummer based in Buffalo, New York. He currently plays with the award winning rock band Grosh, and has played and recorded with dozens of artists in and out of the U.S.

With over a decade of professional experience in the music industry, Josh is well known for his hard hitting, high energy drumming. He’s a great fit for beginners and intermediate players, and will help you discover your voice on the drum set.

Scott Nestler- Guitar, Bass, Ukulele

With well over 20 years of experience playing, Scott is well versed in all genres of music including, classical, jazz, blues, rock, and country. When asked what he loves about teaching the most, “I love the energy of students who are just discovering things on their instrument. Aside from teaching, Scott is also a Rock Band 101 director, providing structured, goal-driven rehearsals to prepare his bands for upcoming performances and also teaches the Ukulele. Scott’s musical influences include Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, Jimmy Page, Alex Lifeson, Al Dimeola, and Miles Davis. Scott is a great fit for students of any skill level and age, students looking to learn Music Theory, work on original compositions, or any adolescent learning looking to get into our Rock Band program. 

Joe Childs- Guitar, Bass, Banjo

Joe is a professional recording artist, performer, and educator. In addition to being one of the founders of two private music schools in Western NY, Boulevard Music Lessons in Tonawanda and Performing Arts located in Depew, NY, he is also director of guitar at Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart. His musical repertoire consists of many styles that include blues, folk, classical, rock, country and jazz. Additionally Joe is a Buffalo Music Awards winner and guitarist in the regional country act Bloodmoney. Joe creates smooth and subtle sound textures using both acoustic and electric, guitar (6 and 12 string), banjo, melodica, and bass guitar. Whether you are young, adult, beginner, or advanced,  Joe is the perfect fit for any student.