Meet the Teachers
Violin/Fiddle, Ukulele, Voice and Guitar
Helen Gassenheimer is a classically trained violinist and seasoned fiddle player who has her degree in music and theatre arts from Bennington College. She studied violin and music education with legendary artist and teacher Ladonna Smith and has toured the world as an artist and performer. Helen was also a nanny and early childhood educator for 12 years and accepts students starting at age 3. When not at the studio Helen can be found hosting art and music programs at the Rutland Free Library, teaching at Theater in the Woods in Tinmouth and homeschooling her son, Otis.
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele and Drums
Steven Wilson lives in Pittsford, Vermont where he works as a local musician, teacher and videographer. His passion is the guitar, which he has been playing nearly every day for the last decade. Steven is a graduate of Berklee College of Music with a BA in Music Composition for Film, Television, and Video Games. Along with the guitar, Steven sings, plays bass, drums, and piano. He is a guitarist, singer and songwriter in his band Dirty Red Hearts. His favorite bands are Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Beatles, Cheap Trick, and Kiss.
Voice and Piano
Andrew Stack's goal as a teacher is to give every student the vocal and musical tools they need to tell their own stories through song. While his primary training is in classical singing, good vocal habits like easy breaths, clear vowels and musical phrasing can apply to any genre. He began teaching himself piano at 13 and now plays a wide variety of music from accompanying operatic arias to jazz standards. Andrew offers two paths to learning piano - a more technique oriented approach for beginning classical students, and a more music theory oriented approach for students who want to play lead sheets, pop songs, and write their own songs. Andrew holds degrees in voice from Westminster Choir College (B.M., magna cum laude), Indiana University’s Jacob School of Music (M.M.), and New England Conservatory (Graduate Diploma).
Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass, Horns,
Baritone Euphonium, Flute, Voice, Piano
Ari Cricks is the music teacher at Proctor Elementary where they teach band, strings, chorus, guitar, and piano. They firmly believe that music is for everyone and that there is an instrument for everyone, no matter what age or background. They strive to make music as accessible as possible. They started their own musical study in the string world, but have expanded over the last two decades to brass, woodwinds, voice, piano, and percussion. Ari has a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, areas of Arts and Humanities, and a minor in Anthropology from University of Central Florida. When not teaching, Ari likes to read, play video games, and spend time with their wife, dog, and snake. They live in Rutland City.
Violin Rentals
$25/Month
Please contact us for instrument availability
Lesson Rates
30 Minutes $160/mo
1 Hour $320/mo
This pricing secures one standing lesson per week
Family and multi-lesson discounts are available
Rates, Rentals & Policies
Our Mission
We aim to support our students' self-sufficiency and enjoyment of music, whatever their age or level of experience. Our students learn to read and understand written music as well as how to play or sing in any preferred styles. Whether you love classical, rock, country, Celtic, old-time, bluegrass, broadway or all of the above, your teachers at GMM will follow your lead and get you on your feet.
We love being involved in our local festivals and have opportunities to perform throughout the year. No performance is ever mandatory.
