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  440 Main Street - Middletown CT 06457
  (860) 344-0525
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Piano Lessons

Ready to Sign Up?

Are you ready to sign up for lessons with one of our trained instructors? We've made the process easy and totally painless. Click the button to use the interactive widget and book your first lesson today! If you'd rather enroll in lessons over the phone, feel free to give us a call at 860-344-0525 instead.

- All of our teachers hold degrees in music and have passed background checks. -

Hannah Sternberg

B.A. in Music

Piano & Voice

Hannah is currently a K-5 music teacher at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Meriden, CT and is going into her third year of teaching there. She went to the University of Hartford’s The Hartt School where she earned her Bachelors of Music in Music Education and Percussion Performance. In her free time, Hannah likes hanging out with her cat, Phineas, and researching her family history! She’s so excited to be teaching here at Middlesex Music Academy and to get more involved in the Middletown community!


Sophia Prasinos

M.M. in Vocal Performance

Piano & Voice

Sophia Prasinos, mezzo-soprano, is a classically trained vocalist from Woodbury, Connecticut. She has been singing her entire life, but began formal classical vocal training while studying with Meredith Ziegler at the University of Connecticut. Sophia received her Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance in 2017, as well as a Graduate Performer’s certificate in 2018, both from the University of Connecticut. Sophia then went on to study with John De Haan at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, receiving her Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance in 2020.

While having spent many years singing classically, from professional opera performances to chamber and church choir positions, Sophia has begun to explore her craft beyond the athleticism of opera, delving into the depths of musical expression and curiosity of sound. Sophia has been studying various vocal styles since graduate school, exploring genres like pop, jazz, R&B, indie, folk, funk and soul, as well as writing her own music.

Sophia’s teaching method is rooted in finding connection and curiosity towards music. With a strong focus on healthy vocal technique, Sophia teaches her students not only the technical aspects of how to sing, but how to use their instrument to express their voice to the world. Music is such a sacred form of communication that requires bravery and exploration - all of her students are encouraged to play, in the truest sense of the word!

When Sophia is not performing or teaching music, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, practicing yoga, and running her business Plant Nanny.


Ishaar Gupta

B.A. in Vocal Performance

Piano & Voice

Ishaar Gupta, bass-baritone, graduated from the University of Connecticut in May of 2016, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music, emphasis in vocal performance. At UConn, Ish studied private voice with Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone Rod Nelman, and sang in several choirs directed by Dr. Jamie Spillane. He currently sings professionally in various ensembles, including CONCORA, the South Church Chancel Choir, the Hartford Chorale, and Novi Cantori. In the past, he has sung with Connecticut Chamber Choir, Farmington Valley Chorale, CDN, and the Composer’s Choir. A diverse performer, Ish has sung and acted in several musicals, plays, operas, most recently with Madison Lyric Stage and Pearwater Productions. In addition to performing and writing his own music, Ish is currently pursuing a career as an educator as part of Hartford Stage’s education department, which brings innovative theatre education to more than 17,000 students each year. A native of Newtown, Connecticut, and a proud UConn Husky, Ish is excited to be a part of such a great program at Middlesex Music Academy!

Ryan Foley

Masters Degree in Music

Piano

A musician since age 4, Ryan had his Carnegie Hall debut at age 16, performing with the New York Youth Symphony and Carter Brey, Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic. A graduate of SUNY-Purchase Conservatory of Music, Ryan also holds Master of Music Degrees from CU-Boulder and Colorado State University, where he led the Graduate String Quartet and served as the Concertmaster for the University Symphony.

While living in Colorado, he won auditions for the Fort Collins Symphony and Cheyenne Symphonies, and performed with them for three years. He has also performed with ensembles such as the Steamboat Springs Philharmonic, the Arapahoe Philharmonic, Boulder Symphony, Westchester Symphony, Estes Park Chamber Singers, and many others.

A devout educator, Ryan has taught piano for 15 years. He has experience with all ages, and prefers to teach at the beginner to intermediate level.


Brooke Der

B.A. in Music

Piano & Voice

Brooke Der is a board-certified Music Therapist and multi-instrumentalist with over 10 years of experience teaching beginner to intermediate students of all ages. A graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in Music Therapy, Brooke specializes in violin and has a bright, friendly teaching style that makes lessons stress-free and enjoyable.

Her background includes performing with university orchestras, chamber ensembles, and professional groups, as well as playing at weddings and local gigs. Brooke is fluent in a wide range of musical styles, including classical, folk, pop, rock, and blues, and she tailors lessons to each student’s preferences and goals in a practical, student-driven way.

Brooke relocated to Cromwell, Connecticut, in 2022 with Ryan, fellow Middlesex Music Academy teacher and their husky, Honey. When she’s not teaching, Brooke enjoys gardening, board games, and exploring the area.


Kevin Wyman

B.A. in Music

Piano

Kevin Wyman is a classically-trained pianist, born in Connecticut. Kevin began playing music at an early age, and earned his Bachelor's of Music from the University of Massachusetts. He spent his time there exploring a number of disciplines, including jazz training with world-class musicians such as Walter Platt and Charles Gabriel. Kevin is further developing his classical training, while working closely with the Wesleyan piano faculty.

Kevin lives in Middletown, CT, and is constantly working to better himself as a musician and an educator. He has been teaching privately for almost ten years, and has seen students of all ages develop a love of music. Kevin teaches piano with a traditional focus on sight-reading & music theory, with a modern approach to posture and coordination. Kevin is always striving to incorporate modern music into his teaching method, and welcomes students suggesting their own favorite pieces to work on together.

Ready to Sign Up?

Are you ready to sign up for lessons with one of our trained instructors? We've made the process easy and totally painless. Click the button to use the interactive widget and book your first lesson today! If you'd rather enroll in lessons over the phone, feel free to give us a call at 860-344-0525 instead.
Store Hours

Monday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Tuesday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Thursday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
About Us!

Your place for music lessons and supplies in Middletown. Middlesex Music Academy is a non-corporate locally owned business. As a member of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce we strive to support local businesses and build the community as a whole.