John Payne Music Center

John Payne, the school's director, had an extensive performing career, including recording with Van Morrison and Bonnie Raitt. Read about John's teaching philosophy in his teacher bio. We are beyond thrilled to have our daughter continue her weekly lessons with Ririka Tokushige at the John Payne Music Center remotely during this time of social distancing.

Whatever your age or opinion of your musical ability may be, we believe that you can become a musician. Try just one lesson and see for yourself. We teach all levels, not just beginners. Improvisation is our specialty. We offer half hour and one hour private lessons that accommodate all levels and most musical styles.

The gap between practicing alone in your room and playing with a group in public can be a tough one to bridge. Even when a musician is ready musically, she or he often lacks the confidence, contacts, or organizational wherewithal to find musicians and assemble a group.

That is why we have developed an ensemble program with over twenty different small groups at all levels from very beginning to very advanced, playing many styles---Jazz, rock, R and B, pop, and Latin.Our adult ensembles meet Monday through Thursday evenings and our Youth Ensemble Program (ages 10 to 18) meets on Sundays, late afternoon and evening.

Our ensemble program is relying on the generosity of our students to make it through the pandemic. Help keep our ensembles alive by splitting your donation between the JPMC and your ensemble teacher. If you would like to make a large contribution (over $1,000) please mail us a check made out to "Arts for All Inc" to John Payne Music Center, 9A Station St Brookline, MA 02445.

Our patient teachers are skilled at helping students of all ages and abilities learn to succeed musically, and to have fun doing it! Most lessons are $40 for a half hour, $80 for an hour. Our ensembles bring groups of musicians of similar interests and skill levels to play together. Some ensembles consist mostly of beginners, and some have been meeting for decades.