Music
Lessons
Criollo Clasico Educator Artists
Jose Gonzalez
– guitars (classical, electric, Latin American), Puerto
Rican Cuatro
Ahmed Gonzalez
– flute, Latin Percussion - (congas, guiro, campana, etc..)
Rene Gonzalez
– electric bass, drumset, congas, timbales
,
bongos, Peruvian cajon
The band members of Criollo
Clasico and Banda Criolla are committed to excellence in music
education. (Two
of the artists are certified music educators in the state of
Massachusetts).
Criollo
Clasico members have had continuous requests for private music lessons
for
years and now, beginning in the fall of 2008, we will accept for the
first time
a limited number of students wishing to take instrumental music lessons
with these
artists. Criollo Clasico has a busy concert agenda but we will try to
accommodate
those wishing to benefit from our artistic experiences. All levels are
welcome.
FAQ
How long is
lesson?
Lessons
are ½ hour long sessions and students must bring their own
instruments.
Where do the lessons take
place?
In Amherst, Massachusetts.
(we will provide directions directly to our accepted students). Private
lessons
at homes may be available only by agreement directly with the teacher
at a
higher rate.
How much are lessons?
Each lesson is $30.00 per ½
hour. (You can find lower cost lesson
options
elsewhere. Only students interested
in
studying with these particular experienced concert artists should
inquire about
these lessons.)
What if I do not know how to
read music or I am a
beginner?
No problem, lessons are
adapted to your entry level – from beginner to advanced.
What happens if a lesson is
canceled?
Due to our very busy
performance schedule we can NOT reschedule lessons that are
missed/canceled by
students. We can ONLY reschedule any lesson postponed due to our
concert
schedule commitments.
When do I pay?
Payment is due at the start
of each month. You pay for 4 weekly lessons in advance.
Alternatively, we conduct single master-classes at a variable cost
(depending on the requirements of the particular class).
How many students can you
accept?
Each individual artist
establishes the limit number of students they can teach. Some artist
may have
more time/space available at different times of the year. We are not
looking to recruit large groups of students, we are only accommodating
those students
who have seen us in our live concerts, or heard our recordings and have
a
serious interest in obtaining private lessons with Criollo Clasico
musicians.
Is ½ hour enough time
for a lesson?
Our
experience shows that a well prepared
student can benefit greatly from a ½ hour lesson. Most lessons
at University
and Conservatory level, as well as private instruction, are organized
as 1/2
hour sessions. You are not at lesson to practice – you are there to
have the
artist monitor your progress and present new ideas/material for you to
take
home and work.
Instrumental Lessons
1-
Guitar
(classical, rock, Latin, Pop, Brazilian etc)
2-
Bass (Latin,
funk, jazz)
3-
Flute (Latin,
classical, jazz)
4-
Percussion
(Congas, bongos, cajon, timbales)
5-
Drumset (Jazz,
rock, Latin)
6-
"Cuatro" (Puerto
Rico's National Instrument)
7-
Songwriting
workshop (Spanish and English)
Criollo
Clasico artists have extensive years of international music performance
experience as well as formal studies at Music Dept. University of
Puerto Rico,
Music Dept. University of Massachusetts/Amherst and Conservatory of Music
of Puerto Rico. Also Master classes with top music
performers Leo Brower. Manuel Barruecos, Giovanni Hidalgo,
Trilok Gurtu etc. (See Bio's page for
individual artist resumes).
Please-mail
us at jose@criolloclasico.com
for information
regarding space availability.
Artist
Biographies / Photos, Videos and
Promotional
Materials / Concert Calendar
/ Reviews /
Booking
Information / Music Lessons / Discography