Guitar and Voice Instructor
Jonathan Parker

Expertise: Guitar, Voice

At a young age, Jonathan became interested in what he heard on the radio. Specifically, his mom’s playlist: Stevie Wonder, Three Dog Night, Elton John, The Beatles, The Stones and so many more. At the same time, he spent a lot of time with his grandmother who only listened to classical music (Bach, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven). Then, as the story goes, at age twelve, he traded his dad his grandmother’s pristine 67 T-bird for his first black Les Paul and a Fender amp.

As many musicians would say, ”my influences are so diverse, it’s hard to name only just a few.” But here are some high up on the list.—Composer Antonio Vivaldi, Rush, Techno- (dark and psytrance), Depeche Mode, Robert Plant, Bach, Stone Temple Pilots, Deep Purple, Elton John, Edward Van Halen, Queen, and Peter Gabriel.

Jon has a lifetime of both training and performance. In his many projects, he has appeared as a rhythm and lead guitar player, a lead guitar player-singer, and a frontman singer. In his long life of other gigs, he is an acoustic guitarist and singer. He has played an endless list of gigs in these capacities. He is also a music engineer, drum programmer, composer, lyricist and songwriter.

As far as music training, he studied with several teachers, in both performance and music theory - which he loves! He has studied voice as well. But being that he is one who learns well on his own, most of what he knows is self-taught, and by this, he has always been able to teach and perform on the highest level.

With his students, he likes to start by introducing himself, where he sets a calm back and forth interview as he asks a general list of questions in order to understand that special student’s musical history, musical preferences and goals. Each student being completely different, his 12-year long teaching experience helps him to offer a custom goal plan. In doing so, he can gauge that person’s comfort levels. This is a very important step for him - to say up front, that music is a journey, and we all can experience it differently. He is alwayscareful to relay another key thing - that a learning environment should not be a stressful one. He believes one of his best attributes as a teacher is to instill that level of calm, and to make it clear that music should be enjoyed, and separate from all the stresses that come with life.

As far as his teaching plan, for most, he uses a lesson book. This gives the student some structure. For others, it may be right on to chord playing, where he teaches popular and usable chords to play most pop music. As far as genres, he teach hard rock, metal, classical, pop, and classic rock styles.

Call to sign up in Leominster: 978-534-8989 - or visit City Music at 31 Sack Blvd, Leominster, MA 01453

Call to sign up in Gardner: 978-630-3620 - or visit City Music at 240 Main St. Gardner, MA 01440

Voice and Piano Instructor
Robin Quinn

Expertise: Voice, Piano

As a child, Robin was first introduced to music through church and school. Inspired, she took piano lessons and also started vocal training. Her primary influences consisted of her family, friends, teachers and mentors.

She continued her formal training with various teachers and mentors and has performed in musicals and with church worship teams, both singing and playing piano. Robin also recorded a CD in Boston, MA and traveled from NH to TN singing in concerts at churches, promoting her music.

As an instructor, Robin understands that each student, no matter what age, has his or her own leaning style. She teaches all her students accordingly to get to know them and how they learn.

She then uses this information to individualize her lesson plans to best take advantage of each student's abilities and learning skills. No student is ever turned away. Robin will work with them all. She loves to implement fun along with her teaching. As she see it, music is not a chore, it’s a beautiful language and should be taught with a joy that will last forever. As a side note, says Robin, "I absolutely love teaching!"

Robin Quinn offers piano and voice lessons at City Music’s Lesson Studios in Leominster and Gardner.

Call to sign up in Leominster: 978-534-8989 - or visit City Music at 31 Sack Blvd, Leominster, MA 01453

Call to sign up in Gardner: 978-630-3620 - or visit City Music at 240 Main St. Gardner, MA 01440