Private Music Lessons

Musician and instructor Chris Shacklett is available for private lessons in the following: Drums, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Music Theory, Voice, and Audio Engineering.

Availability for private lessons with Chris Shacklett is currently Mondays & Tuesdays from 4:30-8pm.

Angelika Morris is a singer/songwriter and graduate of 2022 from SUNY Plattsburgh’s Music Department where she focused on vocal performance and composition. She has years of experience preforming with groups including Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir, KeyNotes, and her own project GELLIE. Angelika is skilled and trained in various styles of singing, but she specializes in RnB and Jazz.

Angelika is available to teach students of all levels, Mondays & Tuesdays 10am-6pm

Eli Moore has been playing guitar and bass for about 7-8 years and has years of gigging experience, with groups including Ursa and the Major Key, Roan Yellowthorn, Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir, the Wickmoore Jazz Trio, Plattsburgh State Mambo Combo, etc.

Eli is available for guitar and bass lessons Tuesdays and Thursdays after 4pm. Additional availability upon request.

Margali (Mar-GOLLY)

Founder of Major Fifth Music, and founder and director of the Plattsburgh Community Clarinet Choir, Margali Grenier has nearly 30 years of musical experience. Fifteen of which she has dedicated to studying, teaching, repairing, and performing on the clarinet family; including Eb, Bb, alto, bass, contra-alto, and contrabass clarinets.

Margali’s primary goal is to make learning the clarinet a fun and rewarding experience that is accessible to everyone. She is excited to work with children, teens, adults, retirees, and everyone in between!

NEW: Margali is also available for beginner/intermediate saxophone private lessons!

Lesson Availability: Wednesday 4-8, Friday 4-8, and Saturday all day

Students will need to supply their own instrument and accessories. Certain students may require a smaller or modified clarinet - advice and assistance is gladly given to those who are in the process of acquiring an instrument and accessories. Please reach out before purchasing an instrument online!

Necessities: Clarinet with case, Reeds, Clarinet swab, Cork grease, Notebook or 3-ring Binder, Pencil

Optional: Thumb Rest cushion, Mouthpiece patch, Clarinet stand, Washcloth/cloth napkin, Sheet music/lesson books

Drummer and percussionist Stu Pray is recognized as a dedicated, experienced and respected musician, having played with, been requested by, and constantly in demand with many Front Range musicians. Stu has had a wealth of experience playing drums professionally, touring in New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and more. With over 30 years of playing experience gigging with bands ranging from rock, country and funk to jazz, blues and latin, as well as various other styles and genres, Stu has developed a natural ability, fine technique and the ability to adapt and fit into many different playing situations.

Lesson Availability: Saturdays

Chris Sarkis, originally from New Hampshire, came to the North Country via the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, where he received his B.M. in Music Education. Chris loves to perform, and can be found at the keyboard with Plattsburgh-based Ursa and the Major Key, Who's Lorraine, and playing jazz in various small groups, as well as the Adirondack Jazz Orchestra. Chris' theatrical and singing credits include Bert in Mary Poppins (Adirondack Regional Theatre), Bass Soloist in Handel's Messiah (Champlain Valley Voices), and Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro (Crane Opera Ensemble). In the theatre, Chris has music directed The Sound of Music (Adirondack Regional Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (NCCS Drama Club), and various summer camp musicals including Matilda, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Bugsy Malone (Horizons Day Camp). Chris also has conducted various choirs, including the Phoenix Ensemble and the Champlain Valley Chorus.

Lessons Available: Voice - ongoing lessons with a focus on improving technique and developing artistry. Vocal exercises and songs will be assigned to help the student develop confidence and competence in understanding how to use their own voice, and all the component technical aspects that make up the act of singing. Chris specializes in classical and musical theatre performance, but loves to work on all styles of music. Previous students have worked with Chris on songwriting, pop-rock vocals, and more. Short-term lessons or coachings, working towards a particular goal like an audition or performance, are also available.

Piano - students of all ability levels welcome. Lessons can be tailored to the individuals' goals. All students will develop a functional, free, and controlled piano playing technique. Younger beginners will work out of a piano method book which will set them up for a thorough and well-rounded piano playing education. For older and/or more experienced students, various approaches can be taken. Some work well with a traditional approach to learning piano, which includes reading sheet music notation, aural training to develop a musical ear, and developing an understanding of music theory. Others have already developed some piano playing skill and would like to work on being able to play better in various styles, whether it be learning to self-arrange and play pop tunes from a chord chart, practicing the art of improvisation, receiving stylistic coaching on classical piano repertoire, or learning to 'comp' as a keyboard player in a larger jazz, rock, or folk ensemble. Writing music at the piano, advanced music theory, playing while singing, and other applications of piano study are all welcome!

Please note: As a teacher, Chris enjoys working with students who can make a weekly or biweekly commitment. He believes in an egalitarian, student-centered approach to teaching, where students take responsibility for their own learning and are able to pursue topics that interest them. However, he maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule, which on average, requires him to take off at least one week per month from teaching. Students who are self-motivated to play, sing, and work on their own will make the most progress in this format. All ages and ability levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced, and young to wise. Lessons will be specifically tailored to the individual's musical goals and ability level.