Jeremy I. TakeLessons Instructor music, Bass guitar Brighton, MA

When asked what Jeremy's biggest musical influences are, he replies, " I've always been influenced by film, images and ideas, not primarily music or other artists, and I use that to speak through my instrument. Not to say that I don't love all types of music, but my own creative style seems to derive from story telling. I love to create music that lets you visualize, and that is one of the aspects I like to share with my students, while also teaching the fundamentals and concept of bass guitar.  I've noticed together, it can be very fun!"

Jeremy has been playing bass guitar for over seventeen years, starting at the innocent age of 9 years old, where in fourth grade his friends wanted to start a band, and told him he was going to play bass. Jeremy did not even know what the bass guitar was, but found one in the classifieds for $50, and purchased it. A short time later he took private lessons from a well respected music store, The BeBop Shop (no longer in operation), in upstate NY, with instructor Tim Cleary.  He knew after that that playing bass was not only something he liked, but would become a way of life.

Throughout his entire grade school life, Jeremy attended every musical elective his schools offered. At that time he became an expert in reading music, and playing jazz and classical music, while continuing to take lessons from his instructors. Eventually his creativty would lead him to start playing all styles, including rock, funk, and pop. He also played in his schools marching and field bands, marching with his bass, which played through an amp hooked up to a car battery, while marching.

After high school, Jeremy studied radio and television in college, but was not very satisfied. He knew he wanted to play music, and set out to make sure that was the way his life is going to be.  One thing Jeremy will always tell his students, "...focus on small successes before big dreams, then add them up. Use them as stepping stones to get to where you want to be."

Some of Jeremy's acheievements include, but are not limited to the following:

2008- Bass player for Rhode Island’s Courthouse Ctr. For the Art’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show” by Richard O’brien, directed by Russel Maitland. October 18- November 1st.

2008- Bass player for Sweet Apple Theatre’s production of “Joe! The Musical”, by Dan Lipton and David Rossmer.  Performances held Aug. 15-17, the First Congregational Church Performance Center,  Fairhaven, MA

2008- Bass player for Rhode Island’s Courthouse Ctr. for the Art’s production of “The Full Monty” by Terrance McNally and David Yazbek, and “Footloose the Musical” by Dean Pitchford, Walter Boobie and Tom Snow, both directed by Russel Maitland. Performance runs from July 8thrd. – August 3

2008- Bass player, conductor for Actors Inc.’s production of “Li’l Abner” by Norman

Panama and Melvin Frank. Performance times, May 2-4, at the Wang Auditorium, Lowell, MA.

2008- Bass player for Dana Hall School’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, by Andrew Loyd Weber. Performance times, March 11-12, the Waldo Auditorium, Wellsley, MA.

2008- Bass player of Middleboro Theatre production of “The Wiz,” by William F. Brown and Charlie Smalls.  Performance times, Feb. 1-3, The Wayne Caron Auditorium, Middleboro, MA.

2007- Representative for M One Studios, Detroit, Michigan, bass player for Royal Caribbean vessel “Sovereign of the Seas”, Port Canaveral, FL.  Member of the orchestra, playing different shows and jazz sets throughout the week.

2007- Bass player for the Sweet Apple Theatre Company’s performance of “Little Shop of Horrors”, by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.  Performance times, Aug. 9-11, The Wayne Caron Auditorium, Middleboro, MA.

2007- Bass player and band leader for LCM productions of “David the Musical”, a rock opera about the life of King David of Israel during biblical times. Performance times, May 9-13,  The Calderwood Pavillion at the Boston Ctr. for the Arts.  Other responsibilities including arrangement of the entire score, and choreographing live music with live performers.

2004-2007: Bass player for The Chris Allen power Trip, a Boston based rock and roll band featured in such magazines as Guitar World.

1999-2003: Served as a judge for the New York State Fair Marching

Band Competition. Assisted in preparing marching bands and evaluated

their performance.

Jeremy has also been very proud to share his bass playing services with Joey Belladonna, singer for the rock band Anthrax, Sharahm K, pop superstar of the Middle East, and Jeff Tortora of the Blue Man Group, Las Vegas, NV.

Jeremy is very excited and eager to share his experiences with new students, young and old alike!

First and foremost., students can expect an open, honest, and fun environment when taking lessons with myself.  I will cater towards the request of the student, and give that student  100% of my abilities.

I am extremely approchable and laid back, with a great sense of humor. I do not discriminate, and encourage the student to be free and open with me, with any questions or concerns they may have.

I believe strongly in accomplishing goals, while being fun at the same time. I understand that being in a laid back environment can cause a person to stray from objectives, and thats why I believe setting goals and action plans. I believe in constructive criticism that will not upset a person, but rather give them the positive outlook to go further.

After a period of taking lessons with myself, the student can expect to have a sense of urgency, a more open mind, and several aspects on the bass guitar that will impress anyone he or she performs for!

Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, music and chart reading, and methods.

Cicer North Syracuse - Music/ English - 09/95- 07/98

music, Bass guitar

Adam Rosencrantz, producer, actor, "David The Musical", LCM Productions. Los Angeles, CA.

George Moomjian, percussionist, "David The Musical", LCM Productions. Boston, MA

Jasen Wheatly, music director, A.C.T.O.R.S. Inc, Lowell, MA

Alex Abdoulaev, pianist/musical director, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat," Dana Hall School.

Jeff Tortora, percussionist, The Blue Man Group, Las Vegas, NV