John Payne Music Center - Brookline, Massachusetts

Shelley M

My 11 year old daughter started drum lessons with Mick Lewander last summer and she's still loving it. She has improved a lot, and it isn't even painful to listen to her practice! Mick is patient and very flexible both in terms of scheduling lessons and in terms of what he covers in lessons. If my daughter needs to work on something for the school band, he is happy to focus on that during her lesson, which is a big help. He also will sometimes do a "practice" lesson with her when she hasn't had a chance to practice. Very supportive teacher!

Elon Fischer

Nearing the age of 50, I decided to tackle a childhood dream of becoming John Coltrane and learning to play the sax. I started sax lessons with John Payne himself on a whim, not sure how long I would last. I'm a teacher myself, so I'm more than qualified to attest to the fact that John is a great teacher. More importantly for my own development, though, John is a lot of fun to work with. He's constantly challenging me but, at the same time, helping me to embrace my mistakes as a crucial part of the learning process. He's given me great music to play (classical duets, Jazz standards--no baby exercises) and has treated me like someone who just might, one day, get up on the stage and trade solos with Coltrane.

Joseph Artley

After a 35 year layoff, I picked up my high school trumpet again about 9 years ago. After practicing on my own for a year or so, I really wanted to play with other players of similar interests and abilities. When I mentioned this to a friend, she told me that “you have to go to John Payne”. And so I did.

I have been with the same ensemble since. There have been a few changes of players over the years but the group has always been engaging, fun and supportive, and I look forward to playing each and every week.

I started taking lessons about a year ago from Peter Kenagy, a brass teacher and trumpet player at the John Payne Music Center. I wanted to improve functionally – extend my range and stamina –and Peter has designed specific exercises I can work on to help me with that. He’s also challenged me to think more carefully about how I express my sound through the trumpet and how I want my sound to be perceived. The exercises he has developed for me are intended to improve the technical components of my playing in the context of my interest in playing jazz and improvising.

I feel like I’ve come far with Peter’s direction and credit him with a significant improvement in my playing ability and enjoyment.

Allen Spivack

I started with zero musical background at the age of 52 (except a love of jazz) in 2000. With a wonderful teacher I learned to play tenor sax and have been in a jazz ensemble for 8 years. The teaching and coaching are amazing. The other amateur musicians in my group are motivated to improve their skills and work hard at it. The staff understands that none of us are spending 4 hours a day practicing-most of us have lots going on in our lives and they figure out how to make it work. I've made some real progress over the years. I can feel it and hear it.There really isn't another place in the area to play in jazz groups with professional coaching and also have semi-annual performances in a real jazz club! I've taken some big risks as I've learned to master the complexity of being a musician.

Richard Winter

I have been taking lessons at the John Payne Music Center (JPMC) for thirty years and have always deeply enjoyed it.

I started at the JPMC as an adult in my thirties with no musical experience.   My regular lesson with John Payne has been one of the highlights of my week for many years.  Through these lessons I have learned to play the alto sax and to improvise -- something I barely dared imagine I could ever do.  And, as a result of experience learning and playing the alto sax, I hear music differently than I did before -- and enjoy it even more

I have loved playing in the sax choir wtih Duncan Martin and as part of an ensemble with two different teachers.   All of my teachers there have been outstanding:  excellent musicians and warm, caring, supportive teachers.    They are very good with both adults and children -- and believe firmly that adults with no previous musical experience can learn to play, to perform and enjoy it.    JPMC provides a safe environment in which you can learn alone; learn to play as part of group; and, perform!

John Payne is not only an inspiring teacher and a wonderful human being, but is also a superb musician who plays some of the best jazz and blues you will hear anywhere. Playing in the sax choir means you get to perform onstage with John and his professional band -- one of the peak experiences of my life!

I recommend the John Payne music center to anyone who wants to learn to play jazz, blues or a wide variety of other types of music.

Sam Archer

John Payne Music Center is a warm and inviting music studio on the edge of Brookline and Boston. You can pay for one lesson at a time and learn at your own pace. Little kids, teens, and adults of all ages can learn and enjoy playing music here. Affordable, professional, great lessons. Ririka is a great wind teacher!

Muhammet Erdal

My kids take violin lessons with Caroline Drozdiak at the John Payne Music Center to supplement their orchestra classes in middle school. They love her. Caroline is very passionate and friendly. She quikly identified their strengths and the areas that they need to work on, and have been helping them get better. Their orchestra teacher said that the private lessons with Caroline helped my kids tremendously.

Will Hendriks

My 7-yr. old son started taking piano lessons with Diana Fischer at JPMC when he was five. Diana is a great and patient teacher and my son loves going to piano lesson! What we especially like about JPMC is that there is no drill instructor like teaching. Music should be a fun and enriching experience and that's exactly what you'll find at JPMC.