Harris Banks

cello

Genevieve Chapin is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, educator, arts administrator, arranger, contractor, and organizer. Interest in music was sparked from a young age, both at home from a musical family and through school and extracurricular opportunities, starting with electric bass at age 12, and expanding to double bass at age 15. She went on to complete a bachelor's degree in Music Performance in double bass from the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens College in 2012, studying with Daniel Krekeler of the Metropolitan Opera. She is currently based in Philadelphia and freelances in orchestral, musical theater, cabaret, and studio recording settings up and down the east coast.

Harris Banks is a cellist based in Philadelphia. He earned his music degree from Presbyterian College in South Carolina, where he studied under Dr. Richard Thomas. Harris has participated in masterclasses with world renowned cello teachers Irene Sharp and Robert Jesselson. He is currently pursuing his Master's of Music in Cello Performance at the Boyer College of Music & Dance at Temple University under the direction of the brilliant cello pedagogue Jeffrey Solow. While at Temple, Harris has had the opportunity to participate in two opera productions: Benjamin Britten's The Turn of the Screw, and Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus. He was also principal cello in the Temple String Orchestra, and is currently teaching cello students in the Community Music Scholars Program at Temple Prep. Harris is thrilled to teach young cellists in the region by using these wonderful experiences and the lessons he learned from his brilliant teachers.

Trent Detweiler

, trumpet, piano, guitar, drums

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​violin, piano, guitar

Learning Allegro is thrilled to be able to offer in-home private music lessons for your convenience.  Piano lessons, guitar lessons, and voice lessons are now available.  Our teachers travel to Downingtown, Chester Springs, Exton, Glenmoore, Elverson, Pottstown, Phoenixville, Kimberton and Philadelphia!  Please call the studio for more information about rates and available private music lessons and their times.

Genevieve Chapin

upright and electric bass

Learning Allegro is looking for some amazing musicians to add to our teaching faculty!  Please send your resume to wendy@learningallegro.com to inquire about joining our studio and teaching some amazing young musicians!

Charity's philosophy that the instrument chooses the student is evidenced in the personalized musical journey that she charts for each student. Her passion for brass instruments is contagious and spills out through her teaching and playing. In 20+ years of teaching private brass lessons, Charity has discovered that students thrive when they are listened to and nurtured. In addition, the students appreciate partnering in selecting music and in setting goals. Charity always has a plan for each lesson. She also believes in flexibility and going with the flow of what each student might need during their time together. It is important to Charity that she help her students find as many performance opportunities as possible.

Charity Harter

brass

Trent Detweiler is a fourth-year Music Education major at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU). He is originally from Harleysville, PA and graduated from Souderton Area High School. He recently acquired the role as one of the high brass section leaders in WCU’s Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band, and he is the guitarist for the Criterions Jazz Ensemble who has performed with famous musicians, such as Bob Curnow, John Swana, Matt Gallagher, Nicholas Payton, Christie Dashiell, Jeremy Jordan, and more. Trent is a multi-instrumentalist who can proficiently play over 15 different instruments and has privately taught trumpet, guitar, piano, drumset, and voice. He aspires to be an effectively inclusive educator who gratifies the ubiquity of music and showcases the endless possibilities a young musician can pursue in their future career.

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​River has been playing and taking lessons for the violin since she was 3 years old. She has always loved working with children, and seeks to build a relationship with her students built on trust and mutual understanding. River is a student of Music Therapy at West Chester University, and has participated in the marching band and symphony orchestra there. As part of her studies, she has learned about the psychology of children and how to use music to accomplish their goals of development. She also loves playing ukulele, and has developed her skills on the guitar and piano during her time at WCU.

Sarah Kane is a professional singer/songwriter in Philadelphia. Hailing from Bucks County, this classically trained vocalist has roots that lie deep in Rhythm and Blues. Sarah has a B.A. in Music Composition as well as a B.A. in English. Using her nine years of classical piano training, she has composed music for classical piano, orchestra, string ensembles, and band. After graduating in 2006, Sarah was honored to sing for two seasons with the Philadelphia Singers Chorale. Recently, Sarah had the pleasure of singing the national anthem for the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2011, her song "Pretty Little Angels" became the flagship song of the Pay it Forward Fertility Foundation. Sarah's voice lessons focus on soul and expression while singing in addition to her students feeling the correct technique and not simply completing drills. Read more about Sarah and her latest projects on her website at www.sarahkane.org.

Sarah Kane

voice, piano

Monica's love of music began after an all-school musical showcase in kindergarten. She wanted to take violin lessons so badly that she made her own violin and bow out of cardboard and pretended to play it (with her voice, of course) for days until her parents gave in and signed her up at school. Since then, she has expanded her repertoire to include other orchestral string instruments and piano as well. Monica has been fortunate enough to study under internationally recognized artists such as Lenuta and Dr. George Atanasiu, and Deanne Silver, and is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Music Education at West Chester University. She was also an All-State PMEA Orchestra festival participant and helps direct several local youth string orchestras. Her goal as a teacher is not to teach notes or rhythms, but rather to coax out the ability every human being has to express themselves through music, the world's universal language.

Monica Zheng

strings, piano, brass

Philip Forlano holds Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music Education from West Chester University. As a clarinet major he studied with Tony Liberio of Philadelphia and Terry Guidetti of West Chester.  Mr. Forlano performed with The Reading Civic Opera for ten years. He has also been on-call for The Fulton Opera Company of Lancaster and the Hershey Theater Orchestra as well as the show bands for Steve Allen, Al Martino, Red Skelton, Frank Gorshen and Bobby Rydell. Phil has also performed with The Reading Symphony Orchestra under guest conductor Peter Nero. Other playing experiences range from the big bands of Sam Peters, Charlie van Horn and Bobby Mercer to the Dave Mell Blues Band. Phil currently plays saxophone with “The Last Big Band”, The Victory Jazz Orchestra, and The West Chester University Criterion Alumni Jazz Band as well as the pit orchestra for Owen J. Roberts musical productions. He also enjoys playing flute and singing in the choir at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Chester Springs.
   In 2004, the Brandywine Heights High School Music Department honored him by renaming the school’s annual jazz festival “The Phil Forlano Midnight Jazz Festival.” Phil also holds a principal’s certificate from Temple University and he has served as Music Director for “The Hill School Performing Arts Camp.” 

Phil Forlano

brass and woodwinds

Tom Beideman 

piano, guitar, drums

Tom graduated from Immaculata University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a minor in Studio Arts.  He studied music and music theory under the direction of various teachers, including Sean Townsend, John Dragonetti, and William Carr, DMA, Steinway Artist.  Tom focuses his musical studies on an array of genres including classical, jazz, rock, folk and blues, based on a solid foundation of music theory and appreciation.  He found his love for music, through the guitar, during his early teenage years and has since performed with bands and ensembles at various venues in the Philadelphia area.  Tom teaches beginner to advanced guitar and music theory, as well as beginner drums and piano to children and adults of all ages.  In addition, students will develop performance skills and gain interpersonal skills such as confidence, responsibility, and self expression in order to become well-rounded musicians.  In addition to private lessons, Mr. Tom also teaches Learning Allegro's rock band program.

Mickey attended the Napoli School of Music where he studied under Mike Gallagher who instilled a love of music that Mickey now passes to all of his students. Mickey performs with many different groups in a variety of styles. He has performed many notable venues from Philadelphia and New Jersey to New York, most recently including the Trocadero and the Kimmel Center. Mickey is well versed in music theory and focuses on ear training and modal theory and he is able to teach music theory lessons to individuals who do not play a stringed instrument. Mickey is able to play and teach a wide range of musical styles from metal, jazz, and acoustic/folk to rock, hip-hop, funk and reggae. He is able to teach bass and guitar lessons for kids and adults and all levels from beginners to advanced musicians. He tailors every lesson to the student's individual areas of improvement to help each and every student become the best musician he or she can be.

Mickey Takahira

manager, guitar, bass, ukulele

Wendy Provencher owner, violin, viola, piano

Wendy, the creator of Learning Allegro, has been an musician for over 25 years. Wendy began her violin studies at the age of 9 with Julliard graduate, Stephen Wolosonovich.  She continued with various private instructors and further developed her technique at both University of New Hampshire and Immaculata University where she performed with UNH Symphony and Immaculata Symphony. Wendy currently performs regularly with the Chester County Pops Orchestra, private groups, various small ensembles, and as a soloist.  Wendy has also founded Allegro Music which provides live music for weddings, private parties and corporate events.  In addition to teaching violin, viola and piano lessons, Wendy teaches toddlers beginning music theory through Learning Allegro's music circles.

Our Team of amazing teachers at Learning Allegro offers private music lessons. Such as, piano lessons, guitar lessons for kids and adults, drum lessons, voice lessons, brass and woodwind lessons and more!  We have students that range in age from 4 to 64.  Start a new instrument or dust off that instrument in the closet and take some refresher lessons.  With large, bright lesson rooms and instruments available to purchase at the studio there is no reason not to start your musical journey today!

30 minute lessons are $115 per month

45 minute lessons are $165 per month

60 minute lessons are $218.50 per month

* multiple lesson and sibling discounts are available

Private music lessons

Our Teachers

Our team of instructors is motivated by their love of music and the passion to transfer their knowledge and skills to others so their creativity and talent can shine.  Let us introduce you to our instructors!