Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of Music
Vocal instruction poses a unique challenge. It’s the one form of music that doesn’t allow students to choose their instrument. In addition, says CCM voice instructor Kayleigh Bennett, “It’s an instrument you cannot see or physically change.”
That adds to the self-doubt many beginning music students feel. Aspiring singers often believe they’re stuck with a “bad” voice, no matter how many lessons they may take.
Kayleigh overcomes that preconception. “I do a lot of modeling, and that includes ‘bad’ modeling,” she says. “If a student worries about their voice cracking, I make my voice crack so they can see it’s just a mechanical function — not something to be embarrassed about.”
In short, Kayleigh instills the courage students need to conquer fear of failure. “Through positive reinforcement, encouragement, and an understanding of how the voice actually works, even the most unsure student can build up confidence.”
Fandom of the Opera
Growing up in New Jersey, Kayleigh learned to sing without a shred of self-consciousness. “My mom sang constantly,” Kayleigh says, “so my sister and I just followed her lead.”
In high school, Kayleigh’s band teacher piqued her interest in opera — a genre she didn’t understand until then. “I thought opera was old people in Viking helmets singing for five hours,” she says. “But once I started going to performances, I saw how opera captures the sounds of pure emotion. Some arias make your heart feel on the verge of breaking.”
At Moravian University, Kayleigh completed an honors thesis on the operas of Giacomo Puccini and later received her Master of Music in Vocal Music Performance from the New England Conservatory. But while Kayleigh has reached an elite level as a vocalist, she doesn’t have an elitist attitude. “There is a feeling in much of the music world that classical singing is the only ‘correct’ way to train,” she says. “It can be very pretentious!”
Kayleigh prefers an inclusive approach. “I think all styles and genres have value, so I encourage my students to prepare a handful of songs in a genre they don’t normally listen to. Singers can learn so much by branching out. It makes them better.”
So does playing other instruments. “Learning any instrument in addition to singing is hugely beneficial,” Kayleigh says. ”Music is like a language, so the more avenues you find to practice your fluency, the better!”
Hitting the Right Note
Kayleigh begins by teaching every new student proper breathing technique. “It’s something everyone can do, and that little bit of body awareness is a great starting point.”
Next, she says, “I ask what their goals are for voice lessons. That, and each student’s level of experience, sets the path.” She also emphasizes that mistakes aren’t just inevitable — they’re welcome: “Mistakes are our best teachers.”
And, again, Kayleigh stresses that there’s no such thing as a “bad” voice. Some of the most successful singers, including Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin, have capitalized on distinctive voices that are unmistakably their own. “That’s why I would never try to mold one of my students into some idea that certain people have decided is the only way to sing.”
Singing CCM’s Praises
Kayleigh thinks CCM is the right combination of progressive and “old school.” “I would have loved to take lessons here as a kid. It’s so integrated into the community. Whatever a student is interested in, they can find a class or resource or band through CCM.”
They will also find empathetic instructors who are invested in their success. “It’s wonderful watching people experience the joy of finally getting a tough riff or high note that they’ve been working on,” Kayleigh says. “That’s one of the things I love about teaching. I also love the variety it brings. Every student has a different instrument and different goals — and a different voice. I love helping them find it!” To learn more about voice lessons or to register, please visit our website or contact our office!
The road to Junior Districts is paved with far more than just scales and sheet music. For 8th-grade alto saxophonist Wallace Chen, it has been a masterclass in persistence and the power of a dedicated mindset. Wallace’s instructor, Tsuyoshi “Yoshi” Honjo, has witnessed this growth firsthand. Yoshi admits that he can be fastidious from time to time, especially with those whom he sees as having potential, yet he notes that Wallace meets every challenge with a rare level of patience and humility. “No matter how many times I picked on him about the same thing, he kept on tackling until he solved it,” Yoshi says. “That is a rare quality to have.” This resilient approach to learning is exactly what sets a musician apart when the stakes are high.
Growth Beyond the Notes
Preparing for District auditions involves a significant amount of pressure, but at CCM, we believe that this stress serves a vital purpose. Yoshi explains that while students certainly become better instrumentalists through this process, the true value lies in personal
development. “What I value is the confidence I can see on students’ faces after going through the process of preparing for the audition,” he shares. Stepping out of a typical environment and into a rigorous audition process builds a unique kind of strength.
The Joy of the Ensemble
For Wallace, the motivation comes from a deep love for the collaborative side of music. While he enjoys experimenting with the unique capabilities of the saxophone, his favorite part of the experience is being part of an ensemble. “My favorite part of playing the alto sax is getting to be part of a group and an ensemble,” Wallace explains. “It’s so fun to be able to play weird sounds, like multiphonics.”
Wallace attributes much of his success to the supportive and talented peer group at CCM. He found that practicing Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise” provided a strong foundation for his audition preparation, while his jazz studies significantly sharpened his sight-reading skills. Reflecting on his time here, Wallace shares that being part of a small group has been a highlight, especially with Yoshi pushing every musician to reach their absolute best. “Yoshi has helped push us to be the best musicians we can be,” he says.
We are incredibly proud of Wallace for this achievement and for representing the dedication that defines our community!
Calling All Artists: Pianos on the Town!
We are thrilled to announce that the Call to Artists for our upcoming Pianos on the Town project is officially open! As we prepare to celebrate two decades of music in our community, we are looking for local visionaries to transform pianos into unique works of public art. These artist-painted pianos will be placed throughout Concord starting May 30, inviting everyone to pause, play, and connect through creativity. This is a wonderful opportunity for artists to contribute to the vibrancy of our town while making music accessible to all in a beautiful, unexpected way. If you have a passion for public art and want to help us celebrate this landmark year, we invite you to submit your design and be a part of this special community installation. For guidelines and submissions, click here!
Welcome Aleksandra Labinska, DMA, Our New Violin Instructor!
Dr. Aleksandra Labinska is a versatile violinist whose career spans the globe, with performances as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. A firm believer that music is a tradition to be shared and passed down, Aleksandra brings a wealth of international experience and a deep-seated passion to her students. To learn more about violin lessons or to register, please visit our website or contact our office.
A Legacy in Music – 20th Anniversary Recital
On March 7th, we came together for a truly historic student recital celebrating two decades of music-making at CCM! The “Commissioned Recital” grew out of the Spring 2025 faculty meeting, where teachers brainstormed meaningful ways to honor our anniversary with the CCM student community.
Led by CCM Piano Department Chair Keith Kirchoff, the project brought together an extraordinary group of composers: CCM faculty members Manuel Garcia Baro, Armando Ortiz, Peter Evans, and Kirchoff himself; CCM parents and professional composers Dan Van Hassel and Bert van Herck; former CCM faculty member Brian Friedland; and CCM alumnus Jay Jachinowski.
The resulting works were as diverse as our community—ranging from beginner piano pieces and advanced saxophone repertoire to group vocal works and even a small orchestral piece written for our West Side Strings and Overture Orchestra.
Our talented students and faculty brought these brand-new compositions to life, giving the audience a first glimpse of music that will help shape CCM’s artistic legacy for years to come. The evening was both a heartfelt tribute to our history and an exhilarating preview of our future.
We are deeply grateful to the donors and supporters who made these commissions possible. Thanks to their generosity, CCM continues to nurture creativity and contribute vibrant new art to our community.
2026 Concert and Speaker Series Continues
Our recent “Then & Now” Jazz Reunion was an unforgettable evening of improvisation and artistry. This rare gathering brought together past and current CCM Jazz faculty, including Tucker Antell on saxophone, Brian Friedland on piano, Ehud Ettun on bass, Brooke Sofferman on percussion, and Phil Sargent on guitar.
The ensemble took our audience on a cutting-edge journey, honoring jazz traditions while exploring new, forward-looking sounds. It was a thrilling celebration of the artistic talent that makes our CCM community so vibrant!
Also, in February, we stepped into a world of wonder with our latest Family Series concert, Around Hear. It was a beautiful morning of storytelling and chamber music, featuring everything from the mysterious sounds of Messiaen to soulful Billie Holiday tributes. Families especially loved the musical settings of classic bedtime stories, bringing a little extra warmth to a chilly winter weekend. A huge thank you to the incredible Around Hear ensemble for sharing their artistry and creating such a whimsical afternoon for our Concord community!
Check out the rest of our lineup:
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: Concord’s Inaugural Lantern Parade
On Saturday, March 7th, the historic streets of Concord glowed with community spirit during the first-ever Brighter Together Lantern Parade.
CCM was proud to be part of the celebration, with our students representing the conservatory as they marched through the night. The parade began at Alcott Elementary School, where hundreds of residents gathered with handmade lanterns, before winding through local streets toward the Concord Scout House. It was an enchanting evening of music and art, and seeing our students participate in such a vibrant town tradition was a true highlight of the event.
An Evening of Music & Conversation: Trio Oko with Beyond the Notes
Join us on Saturday, March 21st, at 7:30 pm at First Parish Church for an interactive chamber music experience featuring Trio Oko (violin, cello, and harp). From Ravel to the soundtracks of Studio Ghibli, this performance breaks the barrier between artist and audience with live Q&A throughout the night.
Our Collaboration: CCM is proud to partner with Beyond the Notes to provide unique performance opportunities for our community. Arrive early to enjoy prelude music performed by CCM students!
Tickets: $30 Advance / $15 Students at btnspring2026.eventbrite.com
Where: 20 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA
Catch our very own talented faculty members performing live this month!
Don’t miss Framed Ophelia featuring Yoshi Honjo and Peter J. Evans for an evening of local music and art on March 22nd, or join Brooke Sofferman’s Adventure Time for a Saturday night session in West Roxbury on March 21st.
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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