Portage Music Lessons
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  • Home
  • Anniversary Specials
  • Locations
  • In Home
  • Online
  • Teachers
  • Private Lessons
  • Mini-Music Makers
  • Calendar and Policies
  • FAQs
  • Win A Free Month Of Lessons!
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James

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Instruments-Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Mandolin, Dulcimer, Dobro, Autoharp, Tenor Banjo,
Locations-Online, Mantua, Streetsboro and Bainbridge
Favorite Genres-Rock, Country, Metal, Folk, Singer-Songwriter
Teaching Style Laid Back Lessons Focused On Overall Growth,
Achievements- Atlanta Institute of Music Graduate,
Note from the Coordinator-James has been teaching for over 10 years and founded PML in 2016. Lessons with James will always have some light hearted fun! 

Julia

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Instruments-Voice, Piano​,
Locations-Mantua, Streetsboro, Online
Genres-Musical Theater, Classical, Pop, Rock
Achievements-B.A. in Vocal Performance ,M.A. in Voice Pedagogy
Teaching Style-Catered to your learning speed and your goals in music. ​
Note from the Coordinator-Julia's expansive experiences can help any student on singing or piano. If you are getting ready to sing for a talent show, audition or a foreign language opera, Julia has you covered! 

Adam

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Instruments- Guitar, Drums, Ukulele, Piano, Percussion of Any Form
Locations- Mantua, Bainbridge, Online
Favorite Genres-Rock
Teaching Style-Flexible lessons focusing on strengthening overall skill
Achievements-Patrick S. Gilmore Scholarship Award Winner, Drumline Captain, Portage Music Student turned Portage Music Lessons Teacher.
Note from the Coordinator-Adam is a PML student turned teacher. Adam does wonders with little kids and teens to let them have fun with music and make leaps and bounds of progress. 

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Billy 

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​Instruments - Guitar, Piano, Voice, Ukulele, Bass, Songwriting 
Locations-Bainbridge, Online
Favorite Genres - Rock, Indie, Folk, 
Teaching Style - Easy going, engaging approach to make music fun for anyone!
Achievements - Leader of local touring band Two Mile Moon, years of playing and performing experience along with being an accomplished songwriter! 
Note From The Coordinator-Billy's magnetic personality really can make music a lot of fun for anyone. We are excited to have him be part of our lineup! 

Ian 

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Instruments- Voice, Piano,Guitar, Bass, Drums, Trombone, Euphonium, Acting/Audition Prep.
Locations- Online, Mantua, Streetsboro, Bainbridge
Favorite Genres- Alt-Rock, Punk, Ska, Metal, Folk, Musical Theatre.
Teaching Style- Building up fundamentals whilst exploring the students connection to musical pieces, can provide audition techniques and industry feedback. My main goal is to make you comfortable to perform anywhere you wish.
Achievements- Graduated with Honors from AMDA with an Associates in Musical Theatre, Drummer for the Southeast Ohio band “Rockytop”. Trained under Broadway Professionals, as well as Hollywood Actors and Execs. Featured actor for a movie that released October 2025.

Sarah 

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​Instruments- Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Voice, and Alto Saxophone
Locations- Mantua, Bainbridge
Favorite Genres- Hymns, Contemporary Christian, Folk, and Classical
Teaching Style- Help students develop confidence, creativity, and character, as well as musicianship, in an encouraging environment
Achievements- Graduated magna cum laude with BA in music
Note From The Coordinator-Sarah is a mom of 2 with extensive experience working with kids 2 and up. Sarah teaches our Mini Music Classes to give your youngsters a leg up on their music learning! 

Mark

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Instruments- Drums, Percussion
Location- Mantua, Bainbridge. In Home, Online
Favorite Genres-Rock, Country, Jazz, Church, Funk.
Teaching Style-Fun Individualized building block approach to fit student’s interests and needs.
Achievements- Kent State Music Grad, Touring Drummer, Session Drummer. 10 years teaching experience.
Note From the Coordinator-Mark is a super friendly guy with the ability to jump into any genre and have lots of fun with it. Doesn't the picture say it all?!


Bryan

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Instruments-Guitar, Drums, Bass, Piano, Violin, Banjo, Recording
Locations- Mantua, Bainbridge, Online, 
Favorite Genres- Rock, Metal, Country, Blues, Alternative, Hip Hop
Teaching Style- Structured lessons focused on the students needs.
Achievements- Graduate in Recording Technology, Large amounts of practical experience.
Note From The Coordinator-Bryan is a Swiss Army Knife musician. No matter if you are 4-84 Bryan is always up to meet new folks and learn new instruments. 

Brian

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Instruments- Guitar, Pedal Steel
Locations- Online, Mantua
Favorite Genres - Country, Western Swing, Jazz, Blues, Rock
Teaching Style - Individualized approach based on students interests and goals.
Achievements - Kent State Music Grad, Touring Guitarist, Session Musician, Played the Grand Ole Opry 5 times and counting! 
Note From The Coordinator-Brian is a founding member of the Shootouts and has toured the US with them. If you are looking for the best of the best country guitarist, look no further. 

Ryan

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​Instruments - Guitar, Drums, Ukulele, Percussion
Locations - Mantua, Online
Favorite Genres - Rock, Folk, Pop, Jazz
Teaching Style - Fun lessons catered towards student progression and enjoyment
Achievements - Drumline Captain, Tri-M Scholar
Note From The Coordinator-Ryan is in College to be a school teacher and teaches a couple of our Biomed Music Classes and Jr Bands! He makes music approachable and fun for everyone! 

Maddie 

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Instruments-Clarinet, Sax, Voice, beginning piano, Flute, guitar, uke, oboe, beginning double bass and violin
Locations- Bainbridge 
Favorite Genres- Rock, Musical Theater, Folk, Alternative, and Pop
Teaching Style- Student centered lessons focusing on enjoying music, personal growth, and some fundamentals along the way
Achievements- In her senior year of a Bachelors degree in music education at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, winner of several teaching and performance based scholarships through school, music director for community theater productions, student conductor of BW wind ensembles, and leader of the student run Beatles cover band at BW. 

Sammi 

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Instruments – Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, Songwriting, Woodwinds, Brass, Voice, Violin, Cello
Locations – Mantua, Bainbridge, In–Home
Favorite Genres – Folk, Americana, Celtic, Easy Listening, 60’s-70’s, Showtunes, Indie, Singer-Songwriter
Teaching Style – Relaxed with Focus, aimed at supporting musical growth and skill development according to each student’s needs and goals
Achievements – Graduated Summa Cum Laude with BA in Music Education, Summa Cum Laude with MA in The Art of Teaching, 30+ years of teaching music & theatre arts, Accomplished OTES rating 7/7 years, vocalist/utility player in Celtic/Folk Band
Note From The Coordinator-Sammi is a retired school teacher and is the definition of up for anything. No mater if you want easy going, fast paced, fun or serious. She can do it at your speed to get you where you want to be! 

Jason 

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Instruments- Guitar, Bass, Drums 
Locations- Mantua, Bainbridge 
Favorite Genres - Rock, Metal, Country
Teaching Style - Teaching Music in a Fun way that helps students learn and love music. 
Achievements - 10 years of guitar experience, Performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 
Note From The Coordinator-Jason is a young musician ready to shred your socks off! A local kid who has a burning passion for all of your favorite rock and metal tunes! 

Phil

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Instruments - Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Flute, Clarinet
Locations - Mantua, Streetsboro, In-Home
Favorite Genres - Solo/Ensemble Instrumental, Singer-Songwriter, Folk/Rock/Jazz
Teaching Style - Project-oriented lessons to construct a practical foundation for solo or ensemble performance, arrangement, and composition
Experience - School/Church/Garage bands. Busked local NE Ohio and internationally in US Navy.
Note From The Coordinator-Phil is a super friendly musician you might see jamming on the corner at your next local festival! A father of 4 he's excited to get you rolling on your favorite tunes! 

Gary

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Instruments-Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Ukulele
Favorite Genres-Rock, Bluegrass, Jazz, Country and More
​Teaching Style-Handcrafted lessons at your pace
Achievements- Internationally Touring Guitarist, Bachelors from Berklee College of Music
Locations-Bainbridge, Online
Note From The Coordinator-Gary has toured the world with the Legendary Shack Shakers and a number of other bands. No matter if its a crazy jazz song or a shred tune, Gary can help you master it! 

John

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Instruments-Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Banjo
Favorite Genre- Rock, Bluegrass, Americana, Country, All!
Teaching Style- Family Fun Approach to All Music
Achievements- Berklee School of Music, 30 year of experience
Locations- Bainbridge, Online
Note From The Coordinator-John has the most private teaching experience of any teacher on staff.. John has seen it all and done it all in the music lesson world. He's the definition of a journeyman! 

Holly

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Instruments-Violin, Viola, Cello, Violin
Favorite Genres- Irish, Old Time Fiddle, Classical
Teaching Style- Crafted for each individual
Achievements- Fiddler of Celtic Rush
Locations-Mantua, Online
Note From The Coordinator-Holly is a retired orchestra teacher and has a long line of musicians in her family. You might be able to catch her playing your favorite Irish tunes with Celtic Rush! 

Bethany

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Instruments- Horns, Trombone, Trumpet, Euphonium, Tuba, Clarinet, Saxophone, Piano
Locations- Streetsboro, Bainbridge
Favorite genres-Alternative, Rock,
Teaching style- Engaging and fun lessons at your pace
Achievements- Kent State Music Grad, Marching Band, Kent's Wind Ensemble
Note From The Coordinator-Bethany has a degree in school music teaching. She's ready to take on that tuba solo or your OMEA pieces! 

Morgan

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Instruments-, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Voice, Piano
Locations-, Bainbridge, Online, Streetsboro 
Achievements-Bachelors in Music Education 
Teaching Style- Catered to a students needs while still focusing on foundational growth. 
Favorite Genres- Rock, Alternative 
Note From The Coordinator-Morgan has a degree in school music teaching and currently is working in Lake County. You might have saw her perform with the Blossom Choir this last summer! 

Miriam 

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Instruments-Violin, Piano
Locations-Mantua, Online, Bainbridge
Favorite Genres-Classical, Sacred
Teaching Style-Instilling a love of beautiful music in students while helping them develop skills as a musician.
Achievements-Diploma in Music Theory, certificate of completion for Diploma in Violin Mastery, 11 years of playing experience 
Note From The Coordinators-Miriam is ready to help your little ones start on piano or help your college age students get in! 

Naomi

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Instruments-Violin, Viola, Piano, Flute
Locations- Mantua, Bainbridge, Online
Favorite Genres- Classical, Sacred
Teaching Style-Taking each student at their level and growing their musical ability through well-rounded lessons to improve their technique and skill.
Achievements-Diploma in Music Theory, Certificate of completion for Diploma in Violin Mastery, eleven years of musical training and experience, 
Note From The Coordinator-Naomi is a classically trained musician who teaches the Biomed Jr Orchestra. 

Lydia 

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Instruments- Piano, Cello, Classical Guitar, Ukulele 
Locations- Mantua, Bainbridge, Online
Favorite Genres- Classical, Sacred
Teaching Style- Lessons that teach students to read, play, and love music.
Achievements- Diploma in Music Theory, 11 years of playing the piano, 8 years of playing cello, two-time trophy winner for the advanced class of Gospel Singers of America.
Note From The Coordinator-Lydia is a classically trained cellist who teaches the Biomed Jr Piano Class. 
Lydia, Naomi and Miriam all regularly play as a trio. They are all awesome young ladies! 
If a teacher interests you and you would like to know more about them, please feel free to contact us for more info! 

Contact The Office
Phone:440-669-2696 Call or Text
Email:[email protected]

If no answer, please leave a message and we will call you back ASAP! We may be in lessons!

  • Home
  • Anniversary Specials
  • Locations
  • In Home
  • Online
  • Teachers
  • Private Lessons
  • Mini-Music Makers
  • Calendar and Policies
  • FAQs
  • Win A Free Month Of Lessons!