Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of MusicGiuseppe Paradiso is always thrilled when his students get things right. Just as important, he’s 
also pleased when they get things wrong. “I’m so happy when my students come up with their own musical ideas — even if they make a mistake,” he says. “That’s something we can fix. But the fact that they create their own sounds excites me, especially in improvisation. It’s so important that students explore, mistakes and all.”
Creating a Welcoming Environment
That approach makes Giuseppe the ideal instructor to lead CCM’s Jazz Jam, a monthly gathering open to musicians of all skill levels from across the Concord community. “I try to maintain a low-pressure environment so everyone feels comfortable and confident.”
That takes a deft touch, something that Giuseppe, who emigrated from Italy to Boston, has developed through years of experience as a performer and organizer. “It’s important to create a space where people feel supported to connect and perform with each other,” Giuseppe says. “That’s how you grow a music community.”
Providing Structural Support
Like a jazz composition, the Jazz Jam fosters improvisational elements within a defined structure. Each session begins with a house band of professionals joined by different guest artists, who perform 1-2 pieces to set the stage. From there, Giuseppe says, “The jam is open to all ages, instruments, and levels. Ensembles are coordinated accordingly. In particular, I’d love to inspire younger generations by providing an opportunity to play with more experienced performers.”
Spreading the Gospel (and the Jazz)
Giuseppe fell in love with drumming the moment he spotted his first kit at age three. “My dad brought me to an accordion lesson in his teacher’s studio,” Giuseppe says. “I remember seeing that drum set. It called to me, and I have had music in my life ever since.”
Coming from a music-loving family, Giuseppe enjoyed an eclectic music education. “Being exposed to so many different genres by my older brother, my father, and my uncles has played a major role in my life,” he says.
Another huge influence was his first instructor, Gianni Loparco, an accomplished jazz drummer who took five-year-old Giuseppe under his wing. “He was not a pushy teacher at all,” Giuseppe recalls. “Instead he would be so supportive, patient, and calm, yet passionate about drums and music in general. His method really influenced my approach to teaching young students.”
Building and Maintaining a Sense of Community
Another major influence was Giuseppe’s move to Boston. “That helped me grow so much as a musician, bandleader and sideman, recording artist, and composer,” he says. “Being in Boston, you are exposed to a lot of greats in the area. I have had the privilege to perform with a multitude of world-class musicians.” He and his world-jazz band, Meridian 71 (named for East Boston’s longitude), have released three albums.
The ability to connect with musicians from anywhere in the world, and across the spectrum from novice to virtuoso, makes Giuseppe Paradiso a perfect fit for a community music school like CCM. “I admire CCM’s commitment to fostering growth and cultural enrichment, to uplifting the local community through music and education,” Giuseppe says. “It’s more than just lessons or rehearsals — it’s about connection. CCM encourages participation, nurtures mentorships between students and local artists, and creates regular opportunities for performance and collaboration. This ensures that the spirit of community music not only thrives today but also continues to grow for future generations.”
Learn more about CCM’s Monthly Jazz Jams.
To celebrate our 20th anniversary as Concord’s community music school, we’re sharing the stories of 20 members of our community whose lives were positively impacted by their experiences at CCM.
Miriam Zarchan, a longtime Concord resident, is delighted that CCM’s philosophy towards music education is similarly focused on quality and variety. By providing programing that is varied in style and approach, she believes that the school has had an impact far beyond the classroom. Community concerts, ukulele lessons to the Boys and Girl’s Club, music workshops for all ages, and a weekly newsletter that delves deeply into a wide range of music genres and topics — all manage to educate the wider community about the joys of music. Whether through playing an instrument, listening to music, or simply learning more about it, CCM is on mission to bring that joy of music into every nook and cranny within its reach.
Lessons Learned — and Learned Again
Miriam’s path to CCM is a familiar one among senior students, many of whom took music lessons during childhood but stopped before reaching adulthood. Miriam started lessons around age eight at the encouragement of her mother. Her parents, both immigrants from Eastern Europe with limited financial resources, considered music education as important as keeping their children healthy and well-fed. Her mother, Miriam learned later in life, would forgo certain necessities so that her daughters could be educated at a school over an hour away from where they lived, but whose reputation was exemplary.
Years later, Miriam made sure that her two children, Daniel and Maya, also took piano lessons. She made it clear that learning to read music was as important as learning to read books. Music has continued to be important in their lives — for Daniel by listening and for Maya by returning to the music of her youth and playing those pieces now for pleasure. She and Miriam sometimes play simple duets.
A Rekindled Interest
For Miriam, a fire rekindled the spark. A conflagration in a fireplace near the piano produced so much heat that it dried out the soundboard. “The piano was dead,” Miriam says.
After consulting a piano tuner, Miriam ran a humidifier to try t restore moisture to the soundboard. “Every day I would try the piano to see if it was reviving,” she says. In the process she revived her interest in playing. “I realized that I still loved the piano. With the children grown, I wanted to be the one taking lessons now.”
A friend told her about a class at Concord Council on Aging. That’s where she met longtime CCM Piano Chair Keith Kirchoff, years before she began lessons. “I was impressed with the degree of respect he showed a group of elderly people, most of whom had only modest musical backgrounds,” Miriam says.
Part of that respect included “the expectation that we were going to do our homework,” Miriam adds. ”It was clear that he worked hard to prepare his lectures, which were always deeply researched and fascinating. Similarly he expected us to do our part as his students.”
Music Appreciation
When the pandemic ended, Miriam began taking in-person lessons at CCM. She discovered that Keith was not only a gifted lecturer, but also a remarkable piano teacher. “Within the limits of my abilities and time he has helped me make technical gains,” Miriam says. “He has also reminded me that learning to play the piano is a never-ending challenge. He knows how to set appropriate goals that motivate and encourage me to practice. Although that’s sometimes frustrating, I have been repeatedly rewarded by a growing appreciation of the beauty and intricacies of the piano repertoire and the value of hard work.”
Miriam has also found that her experience is not unique. “My contacts with other students and faculty at CCM have all reinforced this sense of purpose and joy that permeates CCM,” she says. “Music is a gift, and CCM seems determined to share that gift wherever they can.”
On Sunday, October 19th, the CCM community gathered to officially launch our year-long 20th Anniversary Celebration with a Family Day Cookout at Verrill Farm! It was a perfect autumn afternoon filled with music, food, and fun—and a powerful reminder of why our work matters.
A Celebration of Community and Connection
With fall-themed activities alongside great music provided by Southern Rail, the event celebrated the role of music in our community, demonstrating that learning and appreciation can be fun at any age. It was a vibrant assembly of students, families, faculty, and friends who make CCM the special place it is; a central hub where music creates genuine connection.
Making the Next Chapter Possible
As we look toward the future, this kick-off event underscores the foundational importance of CCM. For 20 years, CCM has been more than just a music school; it’s a place where passion is nurtured, creativity is unlocked, and lifelong skills are built. By hosting inclusive, welcoming events like the Family Cookout, we ensure that the transformative power of music remains accessible to everyone in our community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this incredible milestone. We look forward to a year full of special events, concerts, and continued musical growth as we celebrate 20 years of Music, Community, and Impact!
New CCM Faculty Member
We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Scollins to the CCM faculty, a versatile guitarist, composer, and Berklee graduate who is passionate about jazz, rock, and pop. Kevin believes that learning music should be as joyful as it is transformative, guiding students to express themselves freely and build confidence from day one. His teaching ensures that every student, regardless of skill level, has the essential tools to thrive. Learn more about Kevin.
2025/2026 Concert & Speaker Series
Award-winning pianist and CCM faculty member Yelena Beriyeva captivated the audience on October 24th with her “Piano Inspirations” concert, opening the 2025–2026 Concert & Lecture Series. Her powerful performance of Brahms, Debussy, and Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition demonstrated the world-class artistry.
Join us for Music & Transformation on Friday, November 21st, 2025, at 7:30 pm, the next installment in our Concert & Speaker Series! This special event features CCM’s own pianist Jackson Carruthers and guest violinist Sarah Whitney as they explore how a single musical idea evolves and expands.
Check out the rest of our lineup:
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!
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:
CCM is thrilled to celebrate our community connection as faculty instructor Brooke Sofferman performs in the debut of The Mandorla Collective. This exciting new project honors the profound influence of Boston jazz legends, underscoring the importance of music education and history that our work at CCM helps to sustain and promote. Purchase tickets online.
Beyond the Notes Collaborates with Internationally Acclaimed Duo Boyd Meets Girl
Featuring Boyd Meets Girl and a unique partnership with Concord Conservatory and Powers Art Gallery
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