Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of Music
This year, the Concord Conservatory of Music proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of enriching the community through the power of music. We are so grateful for our students, faculty, and donors who have made our work possible.
We want to extend a special and heartfelt congratulations to two incredible faculty CCM members, Chieko Loy and Susan Gottschalk (L-R), who have been with us since the very beginning! Your passion and commitment have been instrumental in our success.
To commemorate this important milestone, we have a year of special events planned:
Your support allows us to continue making a meaningful impact, fostering creativity and a love of music for generations to come. Here’s to 20 years of creating lifelong learning and invaluable memories through music!
This fall, CCM is excited to launch a new season of group classes beginning the week of September 22. From “Music Makers” for our youngest learners to “Guitar Explorations” and “Introduction to Music Creation,” these classes offer a fun, collaborative setting for musicians of all ages and skill levels. Joining a group class is an incredible way to build skills, make new friends, and become a part of our vibrant musical community.
This season, check out our new and returning classes like:
We look forward to welcoming both new and returning students for what promises to be a wonderful year of music.
It wouldn’t be quite accurate to call CCM violin instructor Armando Ortiz Montenegro a born musician. “I would say that I was introduced to the world of music even before I was born,” Armando says. “My mom told me stories about still conducting orchestras across Mexico even when she was eight months pregnant with me.”
Could there have been a better foundation for Armando’s eventual role as Overture String Orchestra Director at CCM? “Being a conductor is always so much fun!” Armando says. “But it also requires a great deal of responsibility and preparation.”
It also requires an ability to adapt as circumstances change. “My role as the conductor in the OSO, just as my teaching philosophy, is a two-way learning street,” Armando says. “I try to guide but also to learn from my students. And I mention the fun aspect of it because part of being a conductor is being able to let the people on the ensemble embrace and enjoy the music they are playing.”
Finally, Armando says, “I also approach conducting as a storyteller. I love storytelling!” And it’s this unique perspective that allows him to not only teach students how to play, but also how to truly feel and communicate with music.
Once upon a Time
Armando confesses that his love for music, and violin in particular, didn’t always follow a straight path. “During my childhood I experimented playing oboe, piano, and cello, but the violin was always there,” he says. “Even when I didn’t want it to be there.”
When he was around 12 Armando decided he’d had enough of violin. He told his mother he wanted to quit. She told him she would sell the violin, which belonged to her. Shortly after that someone came to the house to buy it. (“The person in question doesn’t matter,” Armando says coyly.) “I started to cry and beg my mom not to do it.” His mother relented — but she also told him there would be no turning back.
The next morning Armando immediately went for his now-cherished violin. “It was the first time in eight years that I willingly grabbed it to practice without my mom telling me to,” he says. “And to this day I still play my mom’s violin.
“I thank my mom every day for that. She made me reach a profound sense of respect and responsibility for the instrument.”
The Plot Thickens
It turned out that Armando’s deep respect for classical music was there all along. “My parents told me that the first word I said was ‘Bach.’ They also said I would start crying Bach! Bach! Bach! whenever they stopped playing his music.”
Armando is also a self-identified “history nerd,” a trait he picked up from his grandfather. “He was the biggest history enthusiast that I’ve ever known,” Armando says. “He was always reading books and sharing their stories with me. That made me fall in love with history and storytelling.”
Add his time spent in China, as well as Mexico and the US, and Armando has developed deep empathy. “The more I learn about other cultures and their history, the more I feel connected to people,” he says. “Having that connection is key to being able to teach. Because teaching is caring.”
Creating a Happily Ever After
Caring, of course, is at the core of a community music school like CCM. “Each one of my students is a universe by themselves,” Armando says. “Being a teacher is like giving them a book with blank pages and letting them write the story of their universe.”
As Overture String Orchestra Director, Armando gets to bring each universe together to create a multiverse. “A private lesson is just one part of being a musician. Playing and performing as an ensemble teaches us to trust, to be disciplined, to be committed to a mutual purpose. It forms community and it creates bonds that go beyond just playing music.”
It also tells a unique story, and Armando is eager to see how it ends. “I can’t wait to step on the podium and create a great story with a group of wonderful musicians!”
New CCM Faculty Members
CCM is delighted to welcome two talented new faculty members, Joseph Cracolici (cello) and Giuseppe Paradiso (percussion) (L-R). These accomplished educators will contribute their passion and expertise to our community, enriching the lives of our students. Both Joseph and Giuseppe believe in the power of music to go beyond the notes, fostering creativity and a lifelong love of learning. We can’t wait for you to meet them and experience the incredible contributions they will bring to the CCM family.
2025/2026 Concert & Speaker Series
Join us for a season of captivating concerts featuring our esteemed faculty and guest artists. These performances matter because they provide an opportunity for the community to come together and appreciate the power of live music.
The Okee Dokee Brothers – *FAMILY SERIES!* Friday, September 19, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Yelena Beriyeva, Piano Inspirations Friday, October 24, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Music & Transformation Friday, November 21, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Musical Storytelling with Schumann – *FAMILY SERIES!* Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00 am
Matt Flinner and Joe K. Walsh Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Music & Math Friday, February 6, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Around Hear – *FAMILY SERIES!* Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11:00 am
Then & Now, A CCM Jazz Reunion Friday, March 6, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Biribá Union Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:30 pm
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 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:
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