Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of Music
Cassie Kollman takes a simple approach to music education. “I try to feed a sense of possibility,” says Cassie, the newest addition to CCM’s vocal department. “Teaching is not a one-size-fits-all process. The key is to figure out what works and what doesn’t work at different ages.”
Her approach, from giving lessons at the Boys & Girls Club to leading CCM’s new adult choral group, The Learning Chorus, reflects that philosophy. “I look forward to supporting people, young and old, wherever they are on their music journey,” she says.
Finding a Way
Cassie’s own music journey has been a circuitous one — appropriate for someone whose eclectic resume encompasses songwriting, being a bandleader, and playing a variety of instruments, including piano and guitar, in addition to singing. After majoring in linguistics and psychology at Virginia’s University of Mary Washington, Cassie became a special education coordinator at a children’s home in Guatemala. And there she discovered that music lessons were a great way to not only teach kids, but to also reach them.
After returning to the US, Cassie refined her approach when teaching music to pre-K through sixth grade at the Amherst Montessori School in Amherst, Massachusetts. “Teaching kids at different ages showed me the importance of determining an individual student’s interests,” Cassie says. “I started tailoring my lessons based on the kinds of music the kids liked to listen to or to sing. Once I found stuff that they liked, I just followed that thread. That still works in private lessons.”
Attuned to the Community
During that same period, Cassie broadened her own repertoire to include writing music as well as playing it. “Part of what drew me in was the opportunity to convey a message through the lyrics,” she says. “I’ve always loved poetry and language.”
She also began participating in jam sessions with musicians in the Boston area. That nurtured her love of “pure vocalization” and improv. “All contemporary styles have blues improvisation at their root,” says Cassie, noting that improv can range from subtle to “full-on scatting.”
One thing that improv is not, however, is “just making things up as you go along.” Ultimately Cassie’s approach is anchored in a solid foundation of discipline and education. She holds a Master of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Music (Voice) from Longy School of Music of Bard College. In addition, she has completed Level I and Level II Somatic Voicework™ Vocal Pedagogy Training (LoVetri Method) and Level I Orff Schulwerk Music Education Pedagogy Training.
Cassie’s ever-expanding talents also include recording and performing. She released her debut album, Lady in Shoes, in 2021, with a follow-up album to come in 2025.
Spreading the Gospel of Music
Cassie says coming to CCM has given her a chance to support both a community and a continuum. “This might sound cheesy,” she says, “but I’ve had a lot of wonderful mentors, and this is an opportunity to pay some of that forward. I know what it’s like to have that desire to be better at something and learn more, and now it’s great to be able to provide that to others.
“In the end, it’s all about making connections with different members of the community.”
And she’s not content to connect only with the students she has now. “I wish there was a way to reach the kids who aren’t taking lessons,” she says.
It comes down, again, to imagining the possibilities.
Learning a string instrument offers kids a host of surprising benefits that go far beyond mastering scales and techniques. String instruments, with their complex coordination and focus requirements, help develop cognitive skills like memory, attention, and problem-solving.
But the advantages don’t stop there—when kids step beyond private lessons and engage in group learning, such as the West Side Strings Program and the new Overture String Orchestra (OSO), the rewards multiply.
Group learning fosters a sense of community and teamwork as students learn to listen, blend, and harmonize with others. This collaborative environment enhances social skills, builds confidence, and encourages perseverance as kids work together to achieve a shared goal. Being part of an ensemble also exposes young musicians to a broader range of musical styles and interpretations, deepening their appreciation for the art form.
The experience of performing in a group setting, like Overture String Orchestra, enhances students’ musicianship by heightening their ability to listen to their peers, gain leadership and cooperative skills, and perform as a cohesive ensemble. By participating in these programs, kids not only become better musicians but also gain valuable life skills that will benefit them in many areas of their lives.
We thank all our donors who support the next generation of musicians!
Your gifts make a difference.
If you’re interested in supporting our CCM Kids String Programs and making a lasting impact on young musicians and our community, please contact us at (978) 369-0010 to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Thank you for considering this valuable chance to support the arts and nurture our kids.
We’re excited to announce the 2024-2025 CCM Concert & Lecture Series, offering an exciting lineup of performances and talks that promise to inspire, educate, and entertain.
The series kicks off with Piano Inspirations on Friday, October 25, 2024, featuring CCM faculty member and award-winning pianist Yelena Beriyeva. She will perform works by Brahms, Debussy, and Mussorgsky, taking listeners on a journey through the introspective and the iconic.
Music & Identity: Your Listener Profile
Friday, November 22, 7:30 pm
Why do you love the music that you do? Join guest speaker Susan Rogers, record producer for Prince and Barenaked Ladies, Berklee College of Music professor, and author of the book This is What it Sounds Like, as she guides us through what it means to be an active participant of our own listening experience. Uncover insights about your personal listening identity by learning about the 7 Listening Dimensions outlined in Roger’s book. This interactive event will include performances by CCM faculty artist Brooke Sofferman and his trio.
Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Saturday, January 25, 7:00 pm
With authenticity, the music of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys cuts right through the noise of the world and speaks plainly to the soul. Formed in 2014 in the Smoky Mountains, they are ambassadors of their genre, bringing their music from rural bluegrass festival stages to the rock clubs of Europe, and now to Concord Conservatory.
Music & Rebels
Friday, February 7, 7:30 pm
Meet music history’s rebels and revolutionaries, from Monteverdi and Beethoven to our contemporaries and witness how, by breaking the rules, these composers changed the course of 
history. In honor of the 250th anniversary of Concord’s role in the American Revolution, the program will also feature the world premiere of Do Not Comply by local composer Aaron Jay Myers, commissioned by Concord Conservatory of Music.
Around Hear
Saturday, March 22, 2:00 pm
Explore music with all your senses. Families are invited to listen to chamber music, see images, and create their own floor art at this energetic concert adventure! The Somerville based chamber ensemble Around Hear will perform works by J.S. Bach, Dvořák, and local composers Mike Kelley and Dan Sedgwick, whose musical subjects range from exoplanets to pigeons!
Southern Rail
Saturday, April 26, 7:00 pm
Described by Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine as “on the cutting edge of creativity,” the award-winning bluegrass band Southern Rail returns to CCM with high energy, exuberant fun and stunning harmonies, irrepressible good humor and sparkling banjo, guitar, and mandolin.
We’re grateful 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 us at (978) 369-0010. We would love to discuss how you can be part of this exciting series.
Lead Concert Series Sponsor
Music Supporter Sponsor
What happens when kids dive into a weeklong summer strings immersion at CCM? Their musicianship and confidence soar!
At CCM, summer means more than just practice—it’s a chance for kids to enhance their skills, enrich their artistry, and make music with friends.
CCM parents Mary Clare and Patrick Stevens shared how much their son Jacob enjoyed the Summer Strings program: “Jacob had such a blast in the Summer Strings program! The program was thoughtfully put together to provide an incredibly well-rounded musical experience. Not only did Jacob further his technical learning of the violin, but he also participated in fun and engaging sessions like Musical Storytelling, where students learned that music has feeling and can express mood.
The program also incorporated movement and just the right dose of silliness for kids! The week culminated in a showcase where students could display what they learned from the week. What a perfect opportunity for kids to dip their toes into the world of recitals without any pressure. As a parent at the showcase, it’s an incredible feeling to see your child perform and walk off stage with a huge grin. Bravo, CCM! We’ll be back next year!”
CCM Program Manager Anthea Kechley, West Side Strings Instructor Long Okada, and violin instructor Emma Gies crafted an outstanding summer strings experience.
Special thanks to teen violinist Joanna Stearns, who volunteered her time to assist younger students, making the week especially rewarding. Joanna reflected on her experience: “The week of volunteering at the CCM Summer Strings Experience has been amazing, I wasn’t expecting it to be fun, as I was just planning to help Ms. Emma along in teaching, but I met and talked to some bright, cheerful kids, who made it so much more exciting and something to look forward to. Not only that, but it’s been amazing to be able to get an experience to teach kids about music, as I don’t get this experience very often, and personally it helped my joy for playing music grow by seeing them work hard to perform a song at the showcase on Friday. “
These young violinists – and all aspiring string players – can keep the momentum going with their private lessons and the West Side Strings Program or the new OSO—Overture String Orchestra.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the generous donors who make our Summer Strings enriching program possible. Your support ensures that every child can grow and thrive through music at CCM!
What do Fidelity, Raytheon, and State Street have in common?
They have matching gift programs.
Won’t you please consider giving the gift of music today?
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