Music Lessons
Guitar, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Ukulele, Banjo, Mandolin, Brass and Woodwind Lessons
Guitar & Bass Repairs
Guitar & bass set-ups, action adjustments, nut and saddle work, restring all string instruments and all other guitar repairs
203-244-5296
6 Prospect St., Ridgefield, CT. mail@bluebusmusic.com. Tue-Fri:12-7pm, Sat:10am-5pm, Closed Sun & Mon

Our Teachers

Patrick Nimmo - Guitar/Vocal 
www.patricknimmo.com





Lisa Dodakian - Violin/Viola/Cello/Piano 


Lisa has nearly two decades of experience teaching students privately and in schools throughout New York and Connecticut, working with students of all ages and skill levels—from complete beginners to professional musicians. As a classically trained violinist with 40 years of experience, she brings a broad musical background to her teaching, with expertise spanning classical, contemporary, pop, rock, blues, bluegrass, improvisation, and more.

Her teaching approach combines strong technical foundations with practical applications of music theory, performance, and musicianship. Lessons are thoughtfully tailored to each student’s individual needs, learning style, and goals, whether they are seeking a rigorous and structured curriculum or a more relaxed, creative, and engaging musical experience. In either approach, she emphasizes developing the skills and confidence needed for successful live performance.

She has also developed a proprietary pre-learning methodology designed to enhance focus, coordination, and receptivity to musical instruction. This approach has helped students feel more comfortable and at ease with their instruments, while also contributing to stronger audition performances and placements. Lesson materials and instruction are customized according to each student’s age, experience, skill level, and objectives, creating a supportive and effective path toward meaningful musical growth.






Toby Sanchez - Woodwind teacher (Bassoon/Clarinet/Flute/Oboe/Saxophone)


Toby Sanchez is a bassoonist and woodwind performer based in Danbury, CT. A musician at heart since the third grade, Toby found his love for woodwinds at age 10 when he began learning to play the flute. In the following years, he picked up the clarinet and saxophone, and landed on bassoon in high school. He is a recent graduate from Western Connecticut State University, where he earned his bachelor of music in bassoon performance. At WCSU, he also took time studying the oboe and is now also a proficient oboist, having held the principal oboe chair in the university's top wind band for several semesters. While in school, he also maintained the principal bassoon chair in that university's orchestra for all four years and performed as a soloist with the orchestra as well. Toby is a three-time finalist and one-time winner of WCSU's annual James Furman Recital Competition. In addition to his extensive classical training, Toby continuously engaged with the school's jazz area; he performed in half a dozen combos and played with the university's Jazz Orchestra. Outside of school, Toby has performed in over twenty productions of musical theatre and opera, including engagements with WestRep Stage, Wilton Playshop, Brookfield Theatre, Ridgefield Theatre Barn, Curtain Call Theatre, and several local high school and middle school drama clubs. He has also played as a ringer with a handful of high school orchestras, as well as the Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra. While primarily a woodwind performer, Toby also regularly takes work as a singer, trombonist, conductor, and jazz bassist.







Nadia Susanto - Piano

Nadia holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Piano Performance. She has over 25 years of experience playing classical piano and more than 11 years of experience teaching.

Nadia believes music is a gift and enjoys sharing that gift with her students. She enjoys working with all ages, starting from the age of 3 years old and beyond. She creates a positive and encouraging learning environment while also challenging each student to grow at their own pace. Each lesson is tailored to the individual student’s learning style, goals, and needs. Through this approach, Nadia helps students build strong technique, develop musical expression, and gain confidence at the piano. She is committed to helping students not only improve their skills, but also enjoy music for a lifetime. 




 

Dana Scofidio
 
- Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Drums/Banjo/Mandolin/Double Bass/Music Theory

Dana Scofidio has been a professional guitar and bass guitar teacher since 1976. His recorded work includes CDs, videos, and studio recordings for a Nickelodeon television series. As a performer and composer, he is a founding member of the jazz organ trio In the Dream—which includes noted keyboard player Jerry Mack and former Andy Williams drummer Rosa Avila. Their debut CD, In the Dream, was released in 2010. Dana’s electric guitar work with the Doc Wallace Trio—whose unique blend of Texas-style fiddling and swing has been performed at Lincoln Center, Columbia University, and the La MaMa theater in New York—is featured on the group’s 2001 CD, Live at the Living Room. During the 2008–2009 school year, the group served as teaching artists with the Lincoln Center Institute, and during 2009–2010, they participated in Carnegie Hall Musical Connections—both of which are programs that bring music in an interactive and educational format to schools and other institutions throughout New York City. As a performer, Dana has also appeared in concert with the renowned musicians Bo Diddley and Jeffrey Osborne. He currently performs with In the Dream, the Doc Wallace Trio, children’s composer John Farrell, and appears occasionally with award-winning composer Daniel Eliot Levy as well as with recording artist Rick Massley. His guitar work is featured on the 2009 CD Erubescent Nights, by the contemporary composer Danny Gray. Dana attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and resides in South Salem, New York. 





 

Maria Castellucci – Piano/Flute

Maria Castellucci earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Music from the University of Hartford and studied at the Hartt School of Music.  She has been a professional pianist, performing as a soloist and accompanist for solo instrumentalists and singers as well as participating in musical ensembles in NY and CT for over 35 years.  She is classically trained in music theory and repertoire and performs a variety of classical and contemporary music.  She has played for innumerable musicals, recitals, concerts, religious services and private events.  She is the pianist and accompanist for Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church in Ridgefield, CT and prior to that was the accompanist for Bedford Community Church in Bedford, NY.  She has accompanied such groups as the SymphoNY Chorus in NYC under the direction of Henric Idestrom, and has played for many musicals such as South Pacific, Grease, Hello,  Dolly!, My Fair Lady, The King and I, Oliver, Oklahoma!, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, and most recently for The Baker’s Wife for their full orchestra premiere performance at the newly expanded Ridgefield Theater Barn.  

Maria is also an accomplished flutist, studying for many years under John Oberbrunner, who was a charter member and principal flutist for the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Mary Ellen Jacobs at the Hartt School of Music.  She has won numerous awards for flute having been selected as the only bi-county senior instrumental soloist for Jefferson and Lewis Counties in New York State her senior year as well as achieving 100 percent on her NYSSMA competition in the highest all-state grade 6 category for the two years she competed. She has a genuine love for all genres of music and she is delighted to share her knowledge and encourage students to grow and reach their individual musical goals.




Isadore Palacpac - Piano/Trumpet


Isadore Palacpac is a pianist currently based in Connecticut. A musician since the age of four, he first began his classical piano studies with Adelaide Roberts in New York City. He would then develop his love for jazz in high school as a member of Jazz at Lincoln Center youth ensembles, performing in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Dizzy’s Club, and the Appel Room. He was the pianist of the University of Connecticut’s flagship jazz ensemble, a role he held from freshman year until his recent graduation. As a freelance musician he has performed at numerous galas, weddings, and state-sponsored events. He has also performed in multiple festivals, sharing the stage with esteemed jazz musicians such as Kenny Rampton, Benny Benack III, Chris Crenshaw, Camille Thurman, and Chris Brubeck. Isadore has taught in music camps in the tri-state area, including running Roots of Music, a nonprofit music camp in his hometown of Wilton, Connecticut. Outside music, he is an avid rock climber and cook.

 



Isabella Palacpac - Cello/Piano


Isabella Palacpac is a cellist and teacher based in Connecticut and New York City. She currently tours with the classical/pop crossover group TAKE3. She has also performed locally with organizations such as the Ridgefield Theater Barn, the Ridgefield Chorale, the Wilton Playshop, and the Brookfield Theater for the Arts. 

Isabella received her Bachelor’s degree in 2020 from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Natasha Brofsky. 

Previous local engagements include solo performances with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Danbury Symphony Orchestra, American Chamber Orchestra, and the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Youth Orchestra. She has attended music festivals such as the Yellow Barn Young Artist Program and the Orford Arts Academy, was recognized as a National YoungArts Winner, and was a member of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the USA. As a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer, she has appeared in venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Bushnell Theater, and Lincoln Center. As TAKE3’s cellist, Isabella’s highlight performances across America include concerts with the Johnson City Symphony in Tennessee and with the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra in Durango, Colorado; a performance with a Sky Elements drone show in Sandusky, Ohio; and an appearance as the opening act for Wilson Philipps at The Lancaster Festival. She has performed recitals for the Old Dutch Church Concert Series in Kingston, NY, the Young Artist Concert Series in Woodstock, NY, and was a guest speaker and performer at the Fairfield County Strings Festival. At Juilliard, Isabella performed at Juilliard ChamberFest, New Dances, and the Senior Dance Production. 

As a recipient of the Gluck Community Engagement Fellowship at Juilliard, Isabella led concerts at various New York City hospitals and community centers. She is currently on the faculty at The Cello Camp in Westport, CT, and The Fairfield School of Music, having previously taught with the Harmony Program and Corona Youth Music Project in New York.


 

 

 


 

 

Hans Broecking - Drums/Percussion

Hans Broecking earned a BFA in music from the University of Connecticut and has been a professional drummer active on the CT music scene teaching and playing for 30 years. As well as playing drumset in numerous bands ranging from classic rock, reggae, R&B, soul, funk, jazz and Latin Afro beat. Hans also has worked on many musicals and operas playing in the pit for shows such as Jesus Christ superstar, the mikado, Godspell, the Magic flute, West side story, anything goes, Jason and the amazing technicolor dream coat, and most recently ‘Curtains. He has taught marching/rudimentary percussion at Newtown, Bethel, Brien McMahon, and Darien High Schools. His goal is to make sure that his students first and foremost have fun making music while teaching basic reading skills, proper technique, and good practice habits.

 

 

 

 

Matt Moadel - Drums/Percussion

Matt Moadel has been a professional musician and music teacher for more than 20 years. He has immersed himself deeply in many styles, ranging from traditional drum set styles and rudimental snare drumming, to Middle-Eastern and African drumming. He earned a bachelor's degree in Percussion from Western Connecticut State University and has studied with teachers of many genres. He has performed in many musical settings, from Jazz and Reggae to Flamenco and Funk to marching bands and pit orchestras. Matt has been helping his students reach their goals, whether they are working on the basics of music and drumming or preparing for important auditions. His curriculum is not limited to one path but follows a natural progression, directed not only by the need for the essential elements of music and drumming, but also by the needs and learning style of the student.

 

 

 

James Kerr - Classical Guitar/Banjo/Mandolin/Dobro/Lute

As a dedicated performer, educator, and private instructor James Kerr possesses the ability to be equally at home in the worlds of bluegrass Dobro, classical guitar, acoustic blues, and jazz.  James directs the Bluegrass Ensemble and teaches guitar at Columbia University and is also a guitar professor at Naugatuck Valley Community College, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY).  His solo concerts feature a unique mixture of original Dobro instrumentals and songs, as well as early acoustic blues and bluegrass.  

As a sideman or ensemble member James has performed at such New York area venues as Irving Plaza, The Knitting Factory, Gracie Mansion, Trinity Church, The Wetlands, Symphony Space, as well as the Juilliard School and Yale University.  James has performed as a soloist with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra Pops and festival performances have included the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, The Craftsbury Chamber Festival, The Long Island Guitar Festival, The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and the Battery Park Summer Concert Series in Manhattan. 

James attended the University of Michigan where he studied jazz, and received a master's in music education from Columbia University. He completed a doctorate in classical guitar performance in 2016 at Stony Brook University (SUNY).