Melissa is a fiddler who is known for playing and teaching many different styles of music. Classically trained, she received a degree in Music Education at the University of Maine and has experience teaching string programs and general music at various grade levels in the Maine public schools.

Melissa is a member of the Portland-based bluegrass bands Jerks of Grass and Cumberland Crossing. She also performs often with the old-time group Sugar Hill Str 

ingband and recently recorded an album with Fiddlers Three.

Melissa is co-director of the New England Fiddle Ensemble, a non-profit organization that supports community by bringing together a large group of acoustic musicians of all ages to learn and perform different styles of music. She runs a successful music camp each September with Ellen Carlson, called Fiddleheads Acoustic Jam Camp.

Melissa was greatly involved in the development of 317 Main Community Music Center in Yarmouth, Maine, where she taught fiddle and acoustic ensembles for twelve years. Melissa also offers a welcoming bluegrass jam in her community, teaches at her home studio in Scarborough, Maine, and enjoys spending time with her two young sons, Daniel and Aidan.

Matt Shipman and Erica Brown have been music educators for well over 20 years now. They offer both private and group lessons and ensembles in their home studio located in Portland. Erica teaches fiddle/violin and Matt teaches guitar, mandolin, bouzouki and clawhammer banjo.

If you are interested in learning bluegrass music, Irish backing, Franco- American fiddling, old-time clawhammer banjo, harmony singing or needing tips and tricks on how to get to the next level with your playing, this could be the right fit for you. Matt and Erica are comfortable working with students of all ages and abilities. They have a teaching approach that is patient and welcoming, allowing the student to feel relaxed and comfortable, therefore making for a stress free learning environment. They are happy to gear lessons towards the goals and interests of their students but are also happy to guide the way and adjust the course should that be in the best interest of the students progress or if that’s the students preference.

Students are expected to come with a positive attitude, good work ethic and enthusiasm for learning. You will be expected to maintain a consistent practice routine between lessons. If Darlin’ Corey Studios sounds like a good fit, we hope you’ll get in touch.

Brian Durkin has been holding down the low end for various projects for the last 25 years or so. Throughout this country, and a handful of others, Brian has lugged an upright bass around. Sure, its unruly, yup its awkward, no, its not a cello. Bass players are typically more than happy to stand in the background, knowing full well that without them the dancing would stop, and Brian is more than happy to tell you all about it. Electric, or acoustic, good bass players are always in demand. Brian teaches out his home studio in Limington.

Jake plays mandolin for the band Tricky Britches, and is an active fill-in member for other Maine groups such as the Katahdin Valley Boys. In 2025, he began teaching annually at the Strung Together old-time music festival in Searsport, ME. Jake has also won or placed in several music writing competitions including at the Walnut Valley Music Festival in Winfield, Kansas and in Chris Henry’s online Monroe-style tune writing competition. In 2025 he kicked off his growing online teaching through Patreon.com/MyBluegrassRomance. Jake primarily teaches out of the Wiscasset, ME area, but is also available to travel for in-home lessons or do online individual/group lessons on mandolin. He’s equally comfortable teaching bluegrass, old-time, and Celtic music by ear, notation, or tablature.

India Street Studios provides lessons at a variety of skill levels and on an assortment of instruments for people who are looking to do everything from learn their first instrument to prepare for their big audition. We’re comfortable in a number of musical approaches, whether classical or country, roots or rock ‘n roll, with a particular focus on bluegrass, and we can help you develop the sound you’re looking for.

In addition, we offer private lessons in composition, songwriting, home recording, and stagecraft for those who would like to move beyond simply learning an instrument and get into public artistic expression.

There’s a whole world of music waiting at 317 Main! Start with the experience that fits you best—join a group to play alongside others, attend a concert or jam, or dive into private lessons for one-on-one growth. With year-round classes, workshops, ensembles, and personalized instruction, there are countless ways to learn, connect, and keep growing. However you begin, you’ll find Teaching Artists who meet you where you are and help you discover what’s possible when we make music together.

Dan is an orchestra teacher in the Mt. Blue school district. You may also have seen him perform bluegrass with the Katahdin Valley Boys and Sandy River Ramblers. He is a faculty member at Mandolin Camp North, staff at Banjo Camp North, and teaches at workshops and festivals across the state.

Dan teaches mandolin, guitar, and fiddle, as well as beginner to intermediate banjo, viola and cello. I come from a background in traditional bluegrass, folk and New England fiddle music, but would be happy to help you work through Led Zeppelin riffs if that’s your passion! I teach kids and adults to enjoy playing music, and also hope to give them the skills to reach their goals, whether it’s joining a jam or joining an orchestra. Besides teaching fiddle tunes, I like to sprinkle in basic music theory and other skills to help you advance as a musician. I primarily teach by ear, but I like to incorporate standard notation when I can.

I primarily teach in the Farmington, Augusta and Waterville area, but am also available to travel, do in-home or online lessons. Private or group lessons are available as well.

Mandolinist Joe K. Walsh is known for his exceptional tone and taste, and collaborations and recordings with acoustic music luminaries including Darol Anger, Brittany Haas, Grant Gordy, Molly Tuttle, Mike Block, Danny Barnes, Scott Nygaard, Matt Flinner, Mike Marshall’s Ger Ensemble, Joy Kills Sorrow, and the Gibson Brothers. Joe currently plays with the stylistically-omnivorous string band Mr Sun, the Mike Block Trio, a duo with Matt Flinner, and bluegrass band (called Red Skies) with Steve Roy, BB Bowness and Alex Rubin. Joe is an associate professor at the Berklee College of Music, and teaches online through Peghead Nation. He lives in Portland, Maine.