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TROY MUSIC ACADEMY :: 9 THIRD STREET :: 518-285-0145
Troy Music Academy approaches a teaching philosophy that is truly unique to each student. Whether the student is a beginner, more advanced and wanting to learn how to play in a group, took lessons as a child and rediscovering music as an adult, or wanting more focus on theory; their teachers are able and excited to teach. There is not an overarching philosophy for the school, but one where they want to provide the best and most rewarding experience for the student. This way of thinking may be due to how the owners created the school. Bassist and pianist Lori Friday, her partner Kenny Hohman and their friend Graham Tichy, both guitarists respectively, have collectively over 70 years of professional experience. All began their music careers with a deep love and drive to fine tune their talent and pursue careers as musicians.
Lori and Kenny began playing music together after a mutual friend finally got them to jam together. Music easily flowed, with little talking. From then on, the band Super400 was created. This has led them to record, tour and perform throughout the United States and Europe. Lori, Kenny and Graham have plenty of experience in both bands of their own and alongside musicians such as Wanda Jackson, Robert Gordon, and Lenny Kravitz. Throughout their careers the musicians have always taught while on tour and during breaks. They held classes at music stores abroad and are long-time teachers in Clifton Park and throughout the Capital Region.
In 2010, while Lori and Kenny were on break from touring and settling into Troy together, an accident would change the course of their music careers. On a cold winter day, Lori crashed her car into a truck and suffered serious injuries that required surgery to avoid paralysis.
During her recovery time, the couple had time to put to action something that they had always wanted: opening a music school. Asking their friend Graham to join them, they knew that Troy was where they wanted their school to be. In 2006, the mayor of Troy had issued a proclamation for Super400 Day and the band had deep ties to the area. Kenny’s interest in music began with lessons in downtown Troy when he was a child. There wasn’t a music school downtown at the time. They had heard a lot about the former Troy Music Academy and wanted to bring that spirit back to the burgeoning, creative city.
Troy Music Academy opened on 9 Third Street in 2011, offering lessons for all ages, children to adult. Private Lessons include guitar (including classical and flamenco), piano, electric bass, drum, ukulele, string, upright bass, mandolin, banjo, flute, saxophone, clarinet, lap steel/dobro/Hawaiian guitar, and voice. Lori, Kenny and Graham brought their own diverse strengths to the curriculum and has grown the school to employ currently 13 educators. Some noted educators include master pianist Vince Bonafede, guitarist Jim Wilson and acclaimed flamenco guitarist, Maria Zemanauski, among many talented and multi-talented musicians. Their two-room space grew by adding another lesson room (reducing the size of the waiting area), a few year later expanding to a few more rooms behind the Market Block Building, near Franklin Alley. The owners are most excited about their recent expansion, acquiring the space next door to them. Two more lesson rooms were built (all painted in the original bright teal and yellow) and a large room where they can finally have group lessons and jam sessions. Lori, Kenny and Graham continually emphasize a student-first mentality -- they are excited to tailor their teaching to each student’s needs and offer a judgement-free zone to learn, play and support. There is increased interest from their Adult and Senior Adult audience; young musicians wanting more experience playing with others or renewing their interest in playing. The large sound-proof group room offers a full drum kit and ample space for their new Adult Blues/Jam Class.
Lori, Kenny and Graham support local and refer their students to Collar City Guitars and Segel Violins in Troy, for instrument parts and sheet music. The Academy’s pianos are from Artist’s Pianos in Latham. It is always heartwarming for Lori and her team, to run into old students; at the Farmer’s Market, or even at one of their performances in New York City. Many have continued on with their musical endeavors and all cannot compliment the teachers at Troy Music Academy enough for creating a fun and inspiring learning experience.
©Downtown Troy BID 2019