Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of Music
Sitting at the piano, it’s easy to think of it as a solitary pursuit—just you, the keys, and the quiet focus of practice. But music is meant to be shared, and CCM’s Piano Connections turns individual playing into a vibrant, collective experience. Guided by faculty member Kitty Cheung-Evans, this biweekly gathering brings adult pianists together to exchange ideas, inspire one another, and deepen their musical journey through collaboration and community.
Beyond honing technique, Piano Connections invites participants to engage with a broad spectrum of musical ideas. Whether sharing works in progress, tackling thought-provoking assignments, or exploring the rich history of composers and styles, adult pianists gain fresh perspectives that enrich their personal and collective musical journeys.
The magic truly happens through collaboration. Members actively participate in 4-hand duos, generously share their insights, and bring their own discussion topics to the group, creating a unique and supportive learning ecosystem. CCM student, Paul LoVecchio, a participant who embarked on his piano studies just two years ago, beautifully captures this spirit: “Kitty always gives the class an assignment to stretch our understanding of music both historically and across musicians and composers within a given period. It helps a lot to hear the other students say they also get anxious when playing before the other students in class… we newer students are often given hints at overcoming a problem by the more experienced students and we have started ‘bonding’ as a group sharing piano books we have found useful and generally encouraging each other on.”
A cornerstone of Piano Connections is the brave and rewarding opportunity to perform works in progress for a supportive audience of peers. While the initial thought of this can feel daunting, especially for those new to performing, it quickly becomes an invaluable catalyst for growth. Elaine Asen shared her powerful experience: “We shared positive feedback when we performed for each other, as each of us needed to deal with performance anxiety. The encouragement was invaluable.” Sandra O’Donnell echoed this sentiment, revealing, “As a relative novice, I had not played any pieces for ‘an audience,’ and the thought of doing so was daunting. But we support each other through really good performances and ones when our brains freeze (it happens!).”
Beyond the technical skills, the program cultivates a profound sense of community and mutual encouragement. Participants learn to truly listen to a piece, uncovering the composer’s intent, and they collectively inspire each other to new heights. As Elaine Asen eloquently put it, “Many thanks to our kind and generous instructor who inspired us to improve our skills and gain a new perspective on the importance of music in our lives.” Sandra O’Donnell added a heartfelt testament to the program’s impact: “The Piano Connection class has been a wonderful addition to my private lesson. We are at different levels, but everyone brings something to the class, and with Kitty guiding us, we all learn from each other. I’m really glad CCM offers this class.”
Piano Connections is more than a class—it’s a place where adult pianists come together to explore, learn, and inspire one another. It’s about the joy of playing, the thrill of progress, and the deep connections forged through shared musical experiences. Whether refining technique or simply enjoying the camaraderie of fellow musicians, every participant finds something truly meaningful in the journey.
If you were to create a prototype for a CCM instructor, you would end up with Mariana Bellew. Born in Tirana, the capital city of Albania, Mariana grew up in an ideal environment for an aspiring musician. “Tirana is a vibrant cultural and educational hub that boasts a rich musical heritage,” Mariana says. “It’s influenced by traditional Albanian folk music as well as classical and contemporary styles from across Europe.”
It’s also home of the Tirana Conservatory of Music, where Mariana earned a degree in Vocal Performance, and the National Opera of Tirana, “which allowed me to engage deeply with Albania’s vibrant performing arts scene and contribute to productions that celebrate both national heritage and international repertoire. The experience greatly enriched my artistic and professional development.”
At the Tirana Conservatory of Music, Mariana received rigorous training in performance, composition, music theory, and pedagogy — the same building blocks that are a foundation of CCM’s success. That’s one of the reasons Mariana was eager to join us as a vocal instructor in 2025. “What appeals to me most about the culture at Concord Conservatory of Music is its strong sense of community, collaboration, and commitment to high-quality music education for all ages and backgrounds,” Mariana says. “There’s a genuine focus on nurturing the whole musician, developing both technical skill and a lifelong love of music. Whether working with beginners or advanced students, CCM values each individual’s musical journey, and that kind of student-centered approach aligns closely with my own teaching philosophy.”
Performing a Vital Service
Mariana’s teaching philosophy began with an epiphany. Although she was an accomplished performer, she eventually realized that “what truly energized me was the connection I made with others through music — especially when I had the chance to help others learn or grow in their musical journey.”
So she shifted her focus to teaching. “Performing is powerful, but teaching allows me to share that power with the next generation, helping students discover their own voices and confidence through music,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness those ‘light bulb’ moments when something clicks, or when a student begins to see themselves as a musician for the first time.”
Mariana’s approach as an instructor reflects her multicultural background, as well as her deep respect for music as a universal language. She’s taught at the Athens Music Conservatory in Greece, the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and the University of New Mexico — a breadth of experience that “has had a profound impact on me both personally and professionally,” she says. “That unique blend of cultures, musical traditions, and student backgrounds really deepened my understanding of how diverse learning styles and cultural perspectives shape the classroom experience. I learned to adapt my curriculum to reflect the identities and experiences of my students, and to incorporate a wider variety of musical styles and traditions. It also reinforced the importance of music as a universal language.”
Giving Each Student a Voice
As a vocal instructor, Mariana is particularly attuned to the influence of each student’s native language on their singing style. “Each language has its own set of phonetic qualities, rhythms, and inflections, all of which affect how a piece is sung,” she says. “Multilingual students often have a heightened sensitivity to sound and meaning, which enhances their interpretation and connection to music. I try to honor and incorporate students’ linguistic backgrounds into lessons whenever possible. That not only supports their growth as vocalists but also affirms their identity and broadens the musical experience for everyone in the room.”
Mariana also has a keen sense of when to use piano as an instructional tool — and when not to. “The piano is an essential tool for supporting vocal instruction,” she says. “It helps with pitch accuracy, warm-ups, vocal exercises, and learning a new repertoire. It provides a reliable tonal foundation and allows me to model melodies, harmonies, and phrasing clearly for students.”
On the other hand, she adds, “When students are performing their repertoire, I often shift my focus away from the piano to fully concentrate on the many elements of vocal performance. This includes breath support, mouth and jaw positioning to ensure that vowels and consonants are produced with consistent placement, and overall vocal technique. By balancing the technical support of the piano with moments of focused, piano-free coaching, I can guide students toward more holistic and confident performances.”
A Shared Understanding of Music Theory
Another way that Mariana aligns with CCM is that she recognizes the importance of music theory in a well-rounded education. “Early on, I noticed that students who understood basic theory concepts — like rhythm, intervals, or key signatures — were more confident in performance, could sight-read more effectively, and were better at making musical decisions,” she says. “It became clear that theory isn’t just an academic skill, it’s a tool that empowers students to be more expressive and intentional in their music-making. Theory gives them the language to understand what they’re doing and why it works.”
Building a Sense of Community
In addition to helping students reach their potential as individual performers, Mariana understands the value of ensemble performances in creating a true community music school. “It’s amazing how powerful the sense of community can be in vocal and choral settings,” she says. “Singing together requires trust, listening, and a shared purpose. I always strive to create a space where students feel safe to take risks, express themselves, and support one another. Whether it’s helping a student find their voice or guiding an ensemble toward a meaningful performance, those are the moments that remind me why I do this work.”
CCM Students to Perform at Concord Museum Garden Tour on June 7
Live music in a beautiful setting! Catch CCM students performing at the Concord Museum Garden Tour this Saturday, June 7, from 10:00-11:30 am. A perfect blend of art and nature! For more information about the Garden Tour and how to purchase tickets, please visit the Concord Museum website.
Don’t Miss the West Concord Porchfest on June 14
On Saturday, June 14, from 1:00-5:00 pm, get ready for an afternoon of incredible live music! Talented CCM faculty and student groups will be performing alongside other fantastic local musicians as part of this highly anticipated annual event. Don’t miss out!
Spring Into West Concord Day
CCM was thrilled to be a vibrant part of Spring Into West Concord Day on May 17th, showcasing the incredible artistry within our students! Our stage buzzed with a diverse array of performances, from captivating violin solos that filled the air with melody to dynamic jazz ensembles that got toes tapping, and much more. It was a true joy and a privilege to share our students’ hard work and passion with the wider community. Events like this underscore the importance of fostering artistic expression and connection. Seeing the smiles on faces and the appreciative crowd truly highlighted how music brings us all together.
Stay tuned for our upcoming 2025/ 2026 concerts and lectures! If you haven’t already, sign up today for our newsletter to receive updates on upcoming concerts.
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 Elaine Lawrence at Elawrence@ConcordConservatory.org. We would love to discuss how you can be part of this exciting series.
Lead Concert Series Sponsor
Music Supporter Sponsor
Be the Reason Someone Experiences Music This Spring
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:
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?
Are you a CCM friend yet?
Join us on Instagram and Facebook to be the first to learn CCM news and more! See what music videos we like, photos we post, practice tips and articles we suggest, and new music in the music world. Be sure to bookmark the CCM Blog to never miss a new post.
