Guitar Lessons
Michael Henss
Acoustic, Electric & Bass Guitar
Dr. Robert Nasta
Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Dr. Robert Nasta received his formal musical training at the Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA; Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT.-M.A., Ethnomusicology/Composition, and the Hartt School of Music, West Hartford, CT.-D.M.A., Composition/Music Theory.
He has performed in a variety of musical settings, and has been featured as a multi-instrumentalist performing on a wide range of instruments—from guitar, to various “world” instruments; including the Japanese Koto, Turkish Oud, Greek Bouzouki, as well as other percussion and string instruments. As an educator, Robert has taught at the middle school, high school, and college levels, and he has been an adjunct lecturer in music at Middlesex Community College since 1999. Since 2003, he has been the Musical Director for the international non-profit organization, Artists for World Peace. In this capacity his position has allowed him to support the education of students majoring in music in college, here in the United States, as well as in Nepal.
Robert is looking forward to sharing his passion for teaching music at the Middlesex Music Academy.
John Cesar
Classical, Acoustic & Electric Guitar
John Cesar is a professional guitarist and guitar instructor from New Jersey. Originally inspired to play music by the greats such as Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, John created his love for blues and rock n roll. Soon after this lead John be involved in numerous bands and music projects around the Northern NJ Music Scene. When it came time for college John decided to pursue the study of the classical guitar.
John completed his Bachelor’s of Music in Guitar Performance from The John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University and a Master’s Degree at the Hartt School of Music. While at Hartt John worked closely with award winning guitarist Christopher Ladd and the renowned classical guitar pedagogue, Richard Provost. As teacher John has been working with students of all ages and levels for over 8 years. Students of his in the past have recorded their own music, gotten into high school jazz bands, and been accepted into college music programs. John is also a registered Suzuki guitar instructor through the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
Anthony Edley
Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Anthony Edley has been teaching for 13 years and has been with Middlesex Music Academy for the past 8. Working with students of all ages, skill level, and musical backgrounds, Anthony is able to customize a lesson plan for any learning style. Anthony graduated from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts and shortly after earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Hartford. Students of Anthony Edley have gone on to perform in Regional and All State choirs and jazz bands as well as graduate from basic music theory, perform as the lead in their school musicals and perform in their own working bands. Anthony has also helped students continue their education by preparing them for college auditions and leading them through musical career paths. Students of Anthony have gone on to major in Music Education, Audio Engineering, Music Production, Vocal and Jazz Performance at many diverse colleges and universities.
As a professional musician, Anthony has had a wealth of experience ranging from performing with Dave Brubeck at the Library of Congress with the Real Ambassadors Jazz Choir, to touring throughout the United States with various bands. Currently Anthony performs with Presley and Taylor, The Zoo, Branded, and Southern Voice, at destination weddings, music festivals, Resorts, Casinos, and other 5,000+ capacity venues. Anthony has several studio credits ranging from Contemporary Christian, Musical Theater, Country, Rock, Indie, Metal, Jazz, Radio and T.V. commercials. He has also worked with corporations to provide promotional material for companies, as well as arranging/producing tracks for independent artists and song writers.
You can view some of Anthony's performances and student ensembles on the Middlesex Music Academy YouTube channel here: YouTube.com/Middlesex-Music-Academy
Karen Hogg
Folk, Acoustic & Electric Guitar
A Berklee College of Music graduate, Karen brings a wealth of experience in musical instruction. She is a prolific performer and author, having written many articles for Acoustic Guitar magazine and Fretboard Journal, including interviews with legends Les Paul and Tommy Ramone. She has written two instructional books for guitar: Guitar Made Easy and Women in Rock. Her 25 years of teaching experience includes both private and group lessons on guitar, mandolin, and ukulele at various music schools and summer camps across the country. She also leads student bands in preparation for recitals.A New Haven-area native, Karen is the mandolinist in the band Flint Ladder. She also regularly provides solo fingerstyle guitar, fingerstyle ukulele, and solo mandolin at weddings and events in the area. Karen loves teaching and encouraging students to do their best AND have fun!
