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

Cecil Marckx (he/him), winner of the Gold Medal and Bach Prize at the 2018 Stulberg International Violin Competition, is a classically trained violinist and experienced fiddler. He has over ten years of experience soloing with orchestras such as the Seattle Symphony, Burbank Symphony, and Pacific Symphony, and performing with organizations such as From the Top, the Seattle Chamber Music Society and the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. Mentors include Mark and Maggie O’Connor, Time for Three, and Alasdair Fraser. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in violin performance last May from the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, where he studied with Robert Lipsett.

As a teacher, Cecil believes in building strong technical foundations to enable artistic freedom, while finding community and fun through music every step of the way. He has been teaching violin in private and classroom settings since he was in high school, and has worked with students of all ages.

Students are asked to supply their own instrument and bow. If you are planning on purchasing a violin, please reach out to figure out sizing and discuss what to look for in your instrument. Please also bring to your lesson a pencil and notebook, bow rosin, and a violin cleaning cloth. If there is a piece you would like to work on in the lesson, please bring the sheet music; otherwise, pieces will be assigned.

Available every Tuesday & Saturday, or upon request!

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.

Vocalist/Performer Nathalie Jubert has vocal training in both classical and musical theater, with 11 years of music experience from both community theater, private lessons, and current college academics. 

Nathalie promotes a positive learning environment for all ages 10+, she encourages individuality and freedom to learn all styles of music.

Nathalie’s passion and enthusiasm for music is shown through her teaching, she focuses on technique and vocal pedagogy, as well as building confidence in one's vocal abilities for long-term results. 

Nathalie asks that prospective students bring both a pencil and paper/notebook to lessons as well as water.

Nathalie is available for private lessons on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays from the hours of 12pm-8pm, as well as Saturdays from 9am-12pm. 

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.

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