Learn music with an award-winning indie singer/songwriter & recording artist (ECR Music Group, NYC), founder of Hook & Ladder Records, actor, creator, writer, scoring composer, and producer with PizzaDog Studios (including the new web series Cloyd), and co-founder of Buffalo Music Club.

Songwriting is the center of my musical universe. I've been playing music since I was four years old, and teaching music lessons on a variety of instruments, pursuits and styles for at least 25 years. And I'm still a big believer in the fundamentals—discipline, technique, practicing, music theory . . . no matter what kind of musician you want to be, it isn't fun if you can't play. But songwriting is the center of my musical universe. It holds it all together for me—constantly giving me the focus, meaning, and purpose I need to return to the well over and over again. There's only one feeling in the world better than finishing a song, and that's starting the next one.

My Favorite Things to Teach

• Instruments: Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Keyboard & Synth, MIDI, Vocals
• Pursuits: Songwriting, Composition & Arranging, Music Theory, Performance, Recording & Audio Production, Scoring
• Styles: Indie, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Classical

Ages & Skill Levels

• I work best with students ages 15 and up, but will work with younger students under the right circumstances
• Beginner, intermediate, and advanced students are welcome

Availability & Rates

• All lessons are currently conducted virtually
• Tuesdays & Thursdays: 4:00pm–6:00pm
• Saturdays: 10:00am–12:00pm
• 30 minutes: $30
• 60 minutes: $60

Use the calendar below to check upcoming availability and book your next lesson online. If there are no bookings available, or you need a different day or time, contact me at cloyd@buffalomusicclub.com to discuss.

Learn music with an award-winning vocalist and opera singer.

"I believe in a holistic approach to singing, ensuring that students receive the tools they need to become their most authentic, prepared, and well-rounded selves." Elizabeth "Lizzy" Hayes teaches a variety of genres and styles using the same fundamental techniques, working with students to find their core sound, discuss what they want to say as an artist, and cultivate a collaborative environment to fine-tune each musician's individual skills.

My Favorite Things to Teach

• Instruments: Voice (all levels), Piano (beginners only)
• Pursuits: Performance, Music Theory
• Styles: Classical, Opera, Pop, Indie, Musical Theatre, Jazz

Ages & Skill Levels

• I work best with students ages 14 and up, but will work with younger students under the right circumstances
• Beginner, intermediate, and advanced voice students are welcome
• Beginner piano students are welcome

Availability & Rates

• All lessons are currently conducted virtually, as I will be at the Chautauqua Institution Festival School for the summer, then attending graduate school at Juilliard in the fall. (In-person lessons in NYC may be possible, to be determined.)
• 30 minutes: $30
• 60 minutes: $60

Use the calendar below to check upcoming availability and book your next lesson online. If there are no bookings available, or you need a different day or time, contact me at ehayes.mezzo@gmail.com to discuss. SPECIAL NOTE FOR SUMMER 2023: My availability is going to be very sporadic during the next few months. Please email me prior to scheduling a lesson. Thanks!

Learn music with an award-winning multi-instrumentalist & entertainer (CRiTT's Juke Joint, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, Sinbad the Comedian, Michael Franti, G-Love & Special Sauce, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Dirty Dozen Brass Band), music educator (IMAGE Urban Arts Workshop, BCAT, BPS), CEO of CRiTT Presents, and co-founder of Buffalo Music Club.

Welcome to Critt's Music Life Studio! I'm all about the EXPERIENCE of music and the EXPERIENCE of performance. The better your experience, the better the audience's experience. And when the audience has a great experience, that means you've got a career—and a long career at that! Consider me more of a coach—together, we'll tweak what's there, add what isn't, and blend it with a whole lotta YOU so that you not only attain your goals on your instrument, but your goals in your music career and your life.

My Favorite Things to Teach

• Instruments: Saxophone, Vocals, Keyboard & Synth
• Pursuits: Performance, Beat Production, Improvisation
• Styles: Blues, Hip-Hop/Rap, Jazz, Pop, R&B, Rock, Soul/Funk

Ages & Skill Levels

• I work best with students ages 15 and up
• Intermediate and advanced students are welcome

Availability & Rates

• Lessons are currently conducted at my studio in Amherst
• If you have an arranged time slot with me, use the calendar below to book your next lesson(s) online
• If you don't have a time slot with me, email me at crittenden@buffalomusicclub.com to discuss your needs prior to booking

Learn music with a pro bassist (Nick Jonas, Cee-lo Green, Willow & Jaden Smith, Adam Lambert, Lizzo, Bernard Purdie), vocalist, model, and music educator.

Build your bass knowledge from A to Z. Zuri offers personal bass instruction to players from beginner to advanced, as well as private vocal instruction to beginners. Lessons are offered to teach and improve on reading notation and tabs, improvisation over various styles, bass line building, music theory, ear training and more. Whether you are a full-time player or if you are just looking to expand your musical perspective and approach, you can learn something to improve as a player and musician through private instruction.

My Favorite Things to Teach

• Instruments: Bass Guitar, Vocals
• Pursuits: Composition & Arranging, Improvisation, Music Theory, Performance
• Styles: Alternative, Blues, Hip-Hop/Rap, Indie, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pop, R&B, Rock, Soul/Funk

Ages & Skill Levels

• I work best with students ages 6 and up
• Beginner, intermediate, and advanced students are welcome

Availability & Rates

• All lessons are currently conducted virtually
• Tuesdays–Fridays: 12:00pm–6:00pm
• Saturdays: 12:00pm–5:00pm
• 30 minutes: $35
• 60 minutes: $65

Use the calendar below to check upcoming availability and book your next lesson online. If there are no bookings available, or you need a different day or time, contact me at zuriappleby87@gmail.com to discuss.