Meet Our Instructors!
** Lessons are $20/ half hour, no contracts **
Robert "Mr. Bob" VanGorder Began his fiddle career 38 years ago, after seeing the enjoyment his wife, champion fiddler & dedicated classical violist Louise VanGorder received from music. Starting at home with Louise, Bob also began lessons with the incredibly talented Maranchi family of Western Mass. He joined the CT Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers and entered contest throughout the Northeast, & eventually beyond. After years of competing Bob joined the North American Fiddle Judge Assn. as a contest judge, though he continued to use his skills as an accompanist on guitar, banjo & keyboard. He served as M.C. of the CBOTF for many years, taking his M.C. skills into the starting, with other friends & Louise, a show called the "Talent Roundup", showcasing local talent, which ran for 15 years. Bob & Louise then formed the Bristol String Orchestra, which ran for just over 13 years. Bob & Louise are the founders of Fiddlin' Around Music & Gifts in 1985, & recently has partnered with Scott Baer to form a general hometown music store named The Bristol Music Center!
Matthew Miskin:
A versatile musician based in Bristol, Matthew has become known as a kind of musical chameleon, being able to transition between a multitude of different instruments and styles of music seamlessly. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the Hartt School of Music. Among Matthew's associated acts are local Connecticut bands Tablature and The Remnants, where he appears as an auxiliary member, playing keyboard, flute, and saxophone. He is currently a guitarist in the local Bristol band Imbroglio, as well as with the Acoustic Jazz Trio, string group which performs frequently throughout Fairfield County. Matthew holds a position as the Music Director at Terryville Congregational Church. He teaches lessons on guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, electric bass, violin, viola, cello, flute, saxophone, and piano.
A versatile musician based in Bristol, Matthew has become known as a kind of musical chameleon, being able to transition between a multitude of different instruments and styles of music seamlessly. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the Hartt School of Music. Among Matthew's associated acts are local Connecticut bands Tablature and The Remnants, where he appears as an auxiliary member, playing keyboard, flute, and saxophone. He is currently a guitarist in the local Bristol band Imbroglio, as well as with the Acoustic Jazz Trio, string group which performs frequently throughout Fairfield County. Matthew holds a position as the Music Director at Terryville Congregational Church. He teaches lessons on guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, electric bass, violin, viola, cello, flute, saxophone, and piano.
Chris Massa-Pelletier:
Bowed String & Wind Specialist.
Bowed String & Wind Specialist.
Benjamin Ferraro:
Piano, Keyboard, Guitar
A passionate musician based in Bristol, Ben has dedicated the past several years to improving his skills and technique at the piano. Although he is classically trained, his desire to be a well-rounded keyboardist has led him to explore other genres and styles of keyboard playing. Ben fell in love with music at a young age and has been expanding his knowledge and repertoire for over a decade. In 2014, he began studying guitar under BMC teacher, Matthew Miskin. He studied piano under local teacher and St. Matthews music director, Sally Kish, who passed away in October of 2019. To honor her legacy and love for teaching, Ben has made it a priority to share the joy of music by joining the teaching staff at Bristol Music Center.
Piano, Keyboard, Guitar
A passionate musician based in Bristol, Ben has dedicated the past several years to improving his skills and technique at the piano. Although he is classically trained, his desire to be a well-rounded keyboardist has led him to explore other genres and styles of keyboard playing. Ben fell in love with music at a young age and has been expanding his knowledge and repertoire for over a decade. In 2014, he began studying guitar under BMC teacher, Matthew Miskin. He studied piano under local teacher and St. Matthews music director, Sally Kish, who passed away in October of 2019. To honor her legacy and love for teaching, Ben has made it a priority to share the joy of music by joining the teaching staff at Bristol Music Center.
Sarah Cesarski:
Violin, Music Theory Specialist.
Violin, Music Theory Specialist.
Vincent Wojtusik:
Double Bass & Percussion Specialist.
Double Bass & Percussion Specialist.