Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of MusicAfter earning a doctorate in musicology from Yale, Jay Lane thought he was on track to become an
academic, “perhaps with a little church job on the side.” But then he discovered his love for teaching others to sing. And when a chance encounter introduced him to the McClosky Institute of Voice, which focuses on helping people with vocal disorders, he knew he’d found his calling. “I felt drawn to this work,” Jay says, “and as I went on to build a vocal studio, I began to specialize in older singers and others who wanted to rebuild their voices.”
Finding the Right Voice
In short, Jay was the perfect candidate to lead CCM’s Singing with Parkinson’s Chorus when the position became available in 2021 — again, “Quite by chance,” Jay notes.
“I just happened to see the ad Kate Yoder placed for a new conductor of the group, and I was intrigued,” Jay explains. “A choir for people with Parkinson’s Disease seemed like a wonderful idea. It would help people strengthen their voices and improve their daily functioning in the world, all while building community and having fun singing together.”
The Choir Visible
Growing up near Poughkeepsie, New York, Jay discovered the power of singing through his family. “We would often harmonize with each other while singing familiar songs,” he recalls. And it’s the magic of harmony that binds the Singing with Parkinson’s Chorus.
Jay says the techniques he learned while becoming a Certified McClosky Voice Technician & Master Teacher “are always the foundation, guiding me in what warm-ups to do, getting students to relax tight muscles, to use their breath more efficiently, and to achieve better posture — all things the McClosky Technique does very well.”
But mostly, he adds, “We just sing together. We do everything from folk songs to Broadway and movie music. And I always like to include some rounds in foreign languages, to keep everyone’s mind active and engaged. Participants sometimes add to our collection as well — one singer taught us a round in Chinese, while another has brought us several of her own compositions.”
Each class lasts 90 minutes, with a break halfway through that gives participants a chance to get to know each other. “Sometimes people talk about their experiences with Parkinson’s Disease, and it’s great how people support one another and share helpful information,” Jays says. “But more often we just chat about our everyday lives.”
The Message Is Loud and Clear
Connecting people through music is CCM’s mission. “It’s great to be able to help people,” Jay says, “but it’s also fun to collaborate with the singers in building a little community together. I really enjoy this work!”
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by spotlighting the important, rewarding, and enjoyable work that Jay is doing. Our Singing with Parkinson’s Chorus not only helps individuals strengthen their own voices, but to also blend them into something beautiful.
All they needed was a chance.
To learn more about Singing With Parkinson’s Chorus, please click here.
Sometimes music education works in mysterious ways. Consider 25-year-old Jay Jachinowski. He’s currently studying nonequilibrium statistical physics at the University of Chicago while working toward a PhD in theoretical physics — but those studies are not what originally brought him to Chicago.
Instead, Jay went to Northwestern University to study composition and music theory, along with physics. And it was music lessons at CCM that helped lead him down that path. Says Jay, “My time at CCM connected me with phenomenal instructors who profoundly shaped my understanding of art and aesthetics.”
Jay’s First Movement
Jay was born in San Francisco, where he took piano lessons at a young age. When the family moved to Massachusetts in 2010, Jay’s parents enrolled him at CCM. That’s what set him up to discover the overlapping circles of the Venn diagram where theoretical physics meets music theory. “CCM provided a place for music that was distinct from the band/orchestra/theater scene in most schools,” he says. “It enabled me, and I suspect others, to explore the classical repertoire as well as contemporary concert music — and to dive far deeper into the theory and history of music.”
CCM Piano Department Chair Keith Kirchoff was instrumental in helping Jay make that leap. “Keith was a great instructor and role model,” Jay says. “As a younger student, my approach to music was more passionate and sporadic than calm and consistent. In the first few years of lessons, Keith taught me that the best musicians need both approaches — to be excited to play the hardest piece but to also show patient dedication to building your craft. As I got older, Keith helped me expand my knowledge of the repertoire as well as develop my musical language, all while supporting my personal aesthetic.”
Learning in Theory and in Practice
In addition to studying piano at CCM, Jay played a variety of other instruments, including tuba and electric bass. He studied composition and music theory, while also gaining confidence through performances at recitals and competitions.
It all added up to a music education with depth as well as breadth. “I first took basic music theory at CCM around early middle school,” Jay says. “When that class ended, Keith offered to keep teaching me music theory as well as introducing composition. I think it is very hard to learn one without the other — and it’s extremely beneficial to formally learn the language of music, establishing a solid foundation. Even from the perspective of a performer, you are often asked to interpret the intentions of the composer, who may have been dead for centuries. So I think a knowledge of composition — or theory more broadly — can help there, too.”
Developing Composure
Composing music taught Jay to organize complex patterns of thought. “Composition helped me learn how to bring abstract ideas to reality, a task that can often seem overwhelming in magnitude,” he says. “For example, I needed to develop the skills to plan and manage a long-term project, including all the highs and lows. In particular, it helped overcome moments of writer’s block, when musical ideas seemed to vanish. And it enabled me to do this all while keeping the overarching structural and thematic concept intact.”
All of which are skills that come in handy to a student pursuing a PhD in theoretical physics.
Music Is Intensely Relaxing
As profound and valuable as Jay’s music education at CCM was, he doesn’t lose sight of the fact that it was also a lot of fun. “In the best way possible, my time at CCM felt more like playtime than lessons,” he says. “I enjoyed it immensely. In the often intense focus required, music has paradoxically always made me feel relaxed.”
Jay continues to relax with music at the University of Chicago. He recently began learning the harp — although piano remains his favorite. “It’s an instrument with limitless possibilities,” Jay says. And his time at CCM helped him discover those possibilities.
Pianos on the Town: The Creative Vision is Taking Shape!
What an incredible week it has been for Pianos on the Town. Following our April 3rd application deadline, we are absolutely thrilled by the surge of creativity and the inspiring proposals that have come in from artists across the region. Our selection committee is meeting this week to begin the rewarding task of reviewing every submission and choosing the designs that will soon transform these instruments into vibrant works of public art.
As our judges dive into the artist’s visions, we are also in the final stages of solidifying our “musical stages” throughout the community. We are working closely with our local partners to ensure each piano finds a home that is accessible and ready for spontaneous performances. Once our artists and locations are fully locked in, the real transformation begins, and we can’t wait to share those behind-the-scenes moments of the painting process with you very soon.
This project is made possible by the incredible generosity of our donors, who believe that art and music should be woven into the fabric of our daily lives. By bringing these pianos to our streets, you are helping us create “musical town squares” where anyone, regardless of age or skill level, can stop, play, and connect. Thank you for making our community a more musical and vibrant place for everyone.
To sponsor a piano, please contact Elaine Lawrence at elawrence@concordconservatory.org.
CCM Receives Winter 2026 Community Grant from APDA Massachusetts Chapter
We are proud to share that the Concord Conservatory of Music has been selected as a grant recipient by the American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) MA Chapter. This grant will be dedicated to our Singing with Parkinson’s chorus, a program that combines therapeutic vocal exercises with the social benefits of choral singing.
Grants like these allow us to provide specialized programming that serves the unique needs of our community. A sincere thank you to the APDA for their partnership and for making this important work possible.
2026 Concert and Speaker Series Continues
Biribá Union Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:30 pm
This dynamic trio draws on the freestyle theatrics of hip-hop and Go-go music, the effortless beauty of Brazilian forró and choro, the earthiness of American roots music, and the improvisational spontaneity of jazz.
Chatham Rabbits Friday, May 29, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Partners in life and music, the acclaimed North Carolina duo Sarah and Austin McCombie have captivated fans nationwide with four celebrated albums, critical praise from outlets like No Depression, and a community-focused work ethic highlighted by their innovative “Stay at Home Tour” and current PBS series, On the Road.
Thank you to our sponsors!
We invite all music enthusiasts and businesses to sponsor our Concert & Lecture Series. If you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Elaine Lawrence at Elawrence@ConcordConservatory.org. We would love to discuss how you can be part of this exciting series.
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
In the Community: Guitar Talk & Live Performance with Master Luthier Steve Kauffman
Attention Guitar fans! The Guitar Museum of New England and the Concord Conservatory of Music present a rare opportunity to meet Master Luthier Steve Kauffman—traveling from Oregon as part of the celebrations of his 50th anniversary as a guitar builder. He will share insights into the elements that shape a guitar’s voice, from tone woods to construction techniques to stunning inlay and marquetry. He will share stories of guitars he has built for musicians such as Joe Walsh, Andy Summers, Steve Miller, Will Ackerman and more! The evening includes a live performance featuring Kauffman-built instruments from the Guitar Museum of New England’s core collection, offering a rare opportunity to hear their depth, nuance, and expressive range.Ideal for musicians, students, collectors, luthiers, and anyone with an appreciation for fine craftsmanship and live music.
Tickets available at: GuitarMuseum.org/events
Use Promo code GMONECCM for $10 off!
APRIL 9, 2026 – 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Concord Conservatory of Music
1317 Main St. West Concord, MA
Be the Reason Someone Experiences Music
Imagine the joy of a child learning their first instrument, the spark in a senior’s eye as they reconnect with cherished memories through music, or the strength in the voice of someone with Parkinson’s finding their melody.
You can make these moments possible with a gift to CCM.
By making your very first gift to CCM, you have the opportunity to:
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