Education and Leadership
Music Lessons Program
For children, teens, adults
Individuals may sign up for either private vocal, piano/keyboard, guitar, violin, flute, clarinet, trombone, saxophone, recorder or euphonium lessons
Private lessons are available by appointment.. Please contact Amy Tosi, Music Director at ext.308 or atosi@westfieldymca.org to arrange lessons.
Private Vocal lessons (ages 10 +)
Member: $174 for 8 weeks of 45 minute lessons or individuals may enroll in one or more lessons by appointment at $30 per 45 minute lesson
Non-member: $182 for 8 weeks of 45 minute lessons or individuals may enroll in one or more lessons by appointment at $32 per lesson for 45 minutes
Private Vocal lessons (ages 5-9)
Member: $132 for 8 weeks of 30 minute lessons
Non-member: $139 for 8 weeks of 30 minute lessons
Private Keyboard/Piano lessons (ages 5 +)
Member: $132 for 8 weeks of 30 minute lessons
Non member: $139 for 8 weeks of 30 minute lessons
Private Guitar lessons (ages 6 +)
Member: $132 for 8 weeks of 30 minute lessons
Non-member: $139 for 8 weeks of 30 minute lessons
Private Flute, Clarinet, Trombone, Saxophone, or Euphonium (ages 9 +)
Member: $132 for 8 weeks of 30 minute lessons
Non Member: $139 for 8 weeks for 30 minute lessons
Private Violin (ages 8+)
Member: $132 for 8 weeks of 30 minute lessons
Non-member: $139 for 8 weeks of 30 minute lessons
Meet our Teachers
YMCA Music Director: Amy Tosi
Amy began singing at home to the radio, often after dinner while washing the dishes, and in church. Just about every time she opened her mouth there was a song coming out! Her brothers still tease her today about the daily dinner menu songs or the years they listened to her practicing in her bedroom in front of the mirror with her boom box playing the Four Tops: The Supremes, Etta James and the like while all her friends listened to Bon Jovi and Madonna. Publicly, Amy joined every chorus and musical theater production she could find in her small town, and learned all that she could about harmony, chorale and solo performing through her school and her church. At the University of Massachusetts, where Amy earned a degree in Mass Communications, she participated in the UMASS Chorale and began working with local cover bands doing lead and back up vocals. She was so happy that her first performance with the Motown inspired band “Hot Damn”, was Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.”
Amy has continued to perform lead vocals in cover bands throughout her adult life. Currently, she sings with the popular band “Emotion” as well as a Portuguese band called “Triple Play Trio.” Amy has performed for thousands of people across the Eastern Seaboard. Some highlights have been performing for at the “Hard Rock Café “ in Boston, and sharing the stage with such international acts as Three Dog Night and Jorge Ferreira .
It was the early days of Emotion when she was recruited to learn the vocal technique that she currently teaches to her students. A local vocal coach had seen Amy perform knew that she would make a great coach. Amy trained with Julie Blake at “Singing Sensations” and from there trained with James Wigginton, a renowned vocal coach in the music industry and Professor of Commercial Voice and Piano at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She has been teaching voice for 10 years.
Amy understands that learning to use your voice is unlike playing any other instrument. It is an abstract learning curve based on the fact that vocalists cannot actually “see” an instrument. Therefore, just as every singer is different, she has learned to take a specialized approach with each student, striving with each of them to master the same skill set based on their unique learning style. She focuses on vocal health and skill building, and has a knack of being able to find out what each student needs to see quick improvements. She is extremely proud of her students when they achieve strides in skills like pitch, timing and tone. Amy also understands that, because the vocalist’s instrument is part of the individual, coaching should remain positive and encouraging. Her philosophy is that if a student wants to learn to develop her or his voice, she can give her/him the tools to get her/his best voice, but she/he needs to do the work!
Gayle Franklin - Piano Teacher
Gayle has loved the piano for as long as she can remember. She recalls being fascinated by the sound of two notes being played on the same instrument, and when the elementary school music teacher played, Gayle was stunned to see that although each hand was doing something completely different, it came together to create such an incredible sound! Ah! Music! At that beginning, she wanted to learn every song she heard, to just keep playing! She committed herself to learning and practicing, and after years of practice, and a harrowing audition, she was proud to be accepted into the music program at Westfield State University.
Now, twenty years after graduating with her degree, that love and excitement for piano music remains strong. Gayle has an enthusiasm about playing and teaching piano that she shares with her students, and this encourages her students to keep going; even through the tricky parts.
Using a theory-based approach, Gayle is patient and warm with her students. She engages students by making her lessons fun and creates an encouraging atmosphere. She loves when a piece that her student has been practicing truly comes together, and they share that “I got it” moment. According to Gayle, the hardest thing about playing piano is the eye/hand coordination. Each hand is responsible for a different part and your mind has to read the music and tell each hand what to do to bring the music alive. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it!
Farshad Bahremand – Violin Teacher
Farshad Bahremand has had a passion for music from a very young age. After brief attempts at a few other instruments, Farshad found that his love of music was best expressed through the violin. He has been studying the instrument for eight years privately, as well as playing for the “Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra,” and “The Old Post Road Orchestra.” He currently plays in the “Holyoke Civic Symphony” while attending Holyoke Community College as a major in violin.
Farshad remembers his first violin recital. He played a duet of “Crunchy Cookies” with his teacher. Even though he was very nervous, Farshad recalls that deep down he knew that if he were passionate about something he should share it with the world. That is why he decided to bring his love of the violin to students here at the YMCA. Although he knows how difficult it can be to learn an instrument, his advice to his students is as simple as practice, and patience. A dose of daily practice and patience with yourself to learn will pave the way to that moment when the music comes alive at your fingertips!
To learn more about our music program please click the following article:
Music lessons program to begin at YMCA
Leaders Club
Teens in high school may apply to become a member of the Leaders Club. This program teaches leadership development through community service, team work, and values clarification. Leaders Club is governed by an Executive Board consisting of Leaders Club members. The club is responsible for the organization and facilitation of their events and activities. They also volunteer weekly at the YMCA and design community projects throughout the year. Members participate in group overnights, weekend rallies, and events with other clubs. The club meets Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM at the YMCA. Please contact Rosann Scalise, at rscalise@westfieldymca.org or ext 302 for more information
