The Music Studio in Chestnut Hill is located at 8611 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia (in the space formerly occupied by Hideaway Music.)

Studio Director Jim Dragoni is a veteran performer, teacher and musical technologist. Music lessons, workshops, performances, lectures are all currently being scheduled.

The Music Studio is intended to be a place where talent and culture is promoted in our community.

What makes The Music Studio unique?

Jim Dragoni is a master teacher who has taught since 1974.  He has taken various musicians from the beginner stage through to
professional status. Jim has been a life long student himself, having studied at various Universities and and with private teachers,
most notably, ten years with Dennis Sandole, the man who gave John Coltrane and Pat Martino their musical
foundations. It was Sandole's wish that Dragoni would carry on his tradition and the two spent the final two years of
Sandole's life discussing teaching and how to best accomplish the desired results. The interesting facet of this discussion
was the conclusion that like art, teaching is an individual thing and in the end, Dragoni developed his own methods, similar in
some ways to Sandole, but uniquely his own.  His ability to custom design lessons to bring out the best in each student is a gift.  Each lesson is hand written, very few support materials are used, Jim composes each lesson and no two are alike.

Lessons are given on piano, bass, guitar, drums, voice, composition, theory and a few other things related to electronic
production techniques but guitar is Dragoni's main instrument and his guitar classes, both individual and group sessions
provide clients with the option to obtain virtuoso status on the instrument. Not everyone answers this calling, but in the event
that life gets in the way, there is still plenty of opportunity to develop as a musician well beyond the level that one came
through the door with.

One of the extremely valuable experiences that Dragoni provides is the opportunity to play with other musicians in a 4-7 piece
group setting. Many people have never had this experience and it makes all the difference in the motivational and enjoyment
factor of studying music. Group playing requires understanding of etiquette, protocol, the language of arranging, improvising,
dynamics and so much more. The feedback is that it's the best thing about what Jim does at his studio.