WESTFIELD-Since opening the Westfield School of Music on Elm Street in 2011, Isabelle Boggs has had one mission in mind – to enrich the Greater Westfield area through music.
“We have wonderful teachers and I recruit teachers who are local,” said Boggs, who is originally from France and has taught string courses at Westfield State University and Holyoke Community College.
Boggs, who holds a. B.A. degree in Musicology from the Sorbonne, in Paris, France, and a M.A. in music performance from the University of Montreal in Canada, also has a Massachusetts teaching certificate. She is also a trained Suzuki strings instructor from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.
Isabelle Boggs, director of the Westfield School of Music, believes that performing arts makes a positive impact in families. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
“We have a beautiful school and we customize our lessons to what a person needs,” said Boggs, noting lessons range from a wide variety of instruments to singing instruction.
“We are committed to ensuring everyone has a good experience,” she said.
In years past, faculty members and students would be performing a Christmas concert, however, due to the pandemic, those plans had to be canceled.
“Currently, we just have private one-on-one lessons with our teachers and students,” said Boggs, adding, “we all wear masks and it works well this way.”
Boggs noted that her business has offered live online classes as well as the one child at a time instruction with a teacher. Gift certificates are also available during regular business hours.
“We are providing a wonderful music education done by educators who are well trained and have degrees in music,” said Boggs, adding, “We offer affordable full private lessons.”
Private lessons are available for piano, voice, classical guitar, pop/rock guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, fiddle, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, drums and tin whistle.
Westfield School of Music faculty member Tyler Cook instructs a piano student prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Boggs encourages parents to consider giving their child a unique gift this holiday season – the gift of music education. Classes for young people start at age 5.
“When children take music they score better on math and it is also helpful for team playing and memorization,” said Boggs. “When a child learns an instrument they can give back to the community through concerts or volunteering at their church. It is a wonderful thing to do.”
Boggs added that her teachers “really care about their students and are passionate with what they do.”
While Boggs understands that some people may still feel uncomfortable about being inside a business due to the pandemic, she is hopeful that 2021 will be an amazing time for students and teachers alike. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she doesn’t plan to have any special activities planned on Small Business Saturday.
“Music education is an important part of education,” said Boggs. “My goal when I created this school was to give everyone the opportunity to have access to the best quality instruction in music lessons in a nurturing and supportive environment.”
