Guitar & Strings Instructors
Get to Know Us
Richard N. Fustino
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, and Music Composition
​
Richard has been teaching at Matt's Music for 54 years! He studied at Fredonia, University of Buffalo and ECCC and his majors included music composition and social studies.
Craig Haendiges
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Banjo and Mandolin.
​
Craig has been teaching at Matt's for 30 years. He studied under Ernie Coralo and Ralph Parker.
.jpeg)
Tajai shorter
Violin/Viola
Tajai Shorter is an accomplished violinist/violist and music educator from District Heights Maryland. She earned her Bachelor of Violin Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory and recently graduated from the University of Buffalo with a Master's in Violin Performance. While pursuing her studies, Tajai discovered a deep passion for instrumental teaching. With this passion, Tajai joined the non profit organization Buffalo String Works where she teaches individual and small group lessons on both violin and viola. BSW's mission is to make music more accessible to the youth by providing a free after school music program, and as a black female violinist she finds purpose and inspiration in connecting with each of her students.
Tajai aspires to share her knowledge of music with other young artists who may not have the resources to pursue their passions as she believes everyone deserves access to quality education regardless of who they are or where they come from.
Penn Watson
Penn Watson is a classical guitarist from Buffalo, NY. He began playing guitar at age 10, fell in love with classical guitar at 15, and graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a B.M. in Music Performance in 2019. He graduated with a Performer’s Certificate — an award given to a handful of graduating students who perform two high-level, professional recitals. His past teachers have included James Piorkowski, Thomas Viloteau, Joanne Castellani, and Evan Drummond.
Performance highlights include the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhan's Music Hall, Mannes Concert Hall at The New School in NYC, Rosch Recital Hall at SUNY Fredonia, the Louis P. Ciminelli Recital Hall at Buffalo State, and a karaoke bar in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Penn plays a guitar made by Dake Traphagen.
Gretchen wurl
Gretchen is a returning classical violin & fiddle teacher to Matt’s Music after establishing her career & family. Music pastimes include directing community seasonal & fiddle groups, playing in a local classic rock band, accompanying the church praise band, and providing music for weddings, fundraisers & other celebrations. She enjoys tinkering around with the guitar, ukelele, and piano too… and is especially proud to teach her own children.
“Music can help set the tone for each moment of life. At times, caesuras can pause our life song as we wait for the Great Conductor to cue us into the next movement. Dynamics seem to exaggerate our moments that challenge our ride through emotions, guide us through change, and provide deep comfort for our soul! The fermata of faith allows us to breathe in the overwhelming collaboration of the blending sounds while preparing us for the extension of our life song. With practice, guidance & inspiration, music extends confidence, joy, and passion unique to each melody of life.”
It is wonderful to unpause & regroup with the Matt’s Music family…
Bruce Rounds
Guitar​
Bruce has been performing publicly since his teen years. With over 35 years of experience, a few thousand shows, he has honed his craft and is a serious study of the instrument. Bruce has been a fixture in the circuit and has played with notable touring musician “Big Wheelie and the Hubcaps” for several years.
Bruce has a distinct love for Blues guitar and the genre in its purity. He had some moderate record success in Europe with “Gregg Juke and the Mighty No-Stars” in the early 2000’s. That’s when he made the switch to the growing genre of country music and has been a member of WOTM since 2012.
He was awarded “Best country Guitarist” in the 2017 Nightlife Magazine Music Awards.
Bruce resides in Tonawanda, NY with his wife and two successful children.
.jpg)
Anna Weinert
Piano/Cello
Anna has been heavily involved with music from a young age, and started as a Matt's Music student herself. She has experience performing with many different groups. She has also performed with an honors performance series at Carnegie Hall. Anna is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education from SUNY Buffalo State University, and her goal is to share her knowledge and passion for music with all her students.
Jackson Rotella
Guitar
Jackson Rotella is a guitarist, bassist, and songwriter, who has been teaching at Matt's Music since June of 2024, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Music Performance from the University at Buffalo. Before attending UB, Jackson received a B.A. in Music Performance from SUNY Fredonia, where he studied the classical guitar with Professor James Piorkowski. Jackson has a lot of experience performing in a variety of styles and settings, as well as teaching students ranging from absolute beginners to those at the University level.
Bethany kasprzak
Voice, Piano, Drums, Strings​​
Bethany started on piano when she was 5 years old and has spent many years studying instruments, music theory, and songwriting. She has sung out professionally and has been with Matt's Music for over 20 years as a teacher, co-manager, and repair technician. She teaches voice, piano, drums, guitar, and ukulele, and is always striving to learn more and grow.
Madison Gibbs
Guitar
Madison Gibbs started playing guitar when she was 7 years old. She has played in musicals since 7th grade for many schools in the area and once with the O'Connell and Company. Madison has previously taken private lessons from Frank Gerard for almost 10 years and studied under Jared Tinkham from 6th-12th grade. She is currently studying audio production and minoring in music at SUNY Fredonia University. She hopes to one day work as a studio musician or an audio engineer.
Lena mecklenburg
Voice/Piano/Ukulele/Guitar
Lena is a vocalist originally from Connecticut. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia. A teacher for over 10 years, she has aided hundreds of students in reaching their musical goals while also finding joy in the community music brings them. While teaching in public schools she has developed courses specifically for students with disabilities alongside various voice and theatre classes.
She specializes in Classical and Musical Theatre voice styles, but aims to help students reach their goals across various genres. She also teaches Piano, Ukulele, and Guitar.
Shane Bucci
Guitar
Shane Bucci is a classical and electric guitarist who enjoys exploring repertoire from a wide array of genres and musical eras. Shane's programming is unique, and he often provides audiences with a mix of his own compositions, works by close friends and colleagues, and well-known standards. Currently, Shane lives in Buffalo, New York, where he is completing the final stages of his Doctor of Music degree in guitar performance, history, and literature from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. During his Masters degree in Clarksville, Tennessee studying with Dr. Stanley Yates, Shane won first prize in both the APSU Concerto Competition as well as the Beethoven Club guitar competition in Memphis, TN. More recently, Shane has been a finalist or semifinalist in several competitions including the Southern Guitar Festival and Appalachian State Guitar Festival, and took 4th place in the Indiana State Fingerstyle Competition. Shane recently made his concert debut near his hometown in Oneonta, NY, playing for friends, family, and community members at SUNY Oneonta, as well as the Skaneateles Library concert series in Skaneateles, NY. Looking ahead, Shane will be returning to SUNY Oneonta to give a concert and masterclass for the Central New York Guitar Society's guitar festival in October of 2025.
Matt Michaud
Guitar
Matt Michaud has been teaching private guitar, bass, piano, and drum lessons for over 20 years. His experience as a music educator also includes over ten years of college teaching experience at four universities across the country. He has a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from University of Colorado Boulder, as well as a Master of Music from the Eastman School of Music. Matt also performs regularly in the WNY area, primarily on guitar. Matt is not the "Matt" of Matt's Music, but sometimes he wishes he was.