MMMA: Guitar Faculty

Andrew Bayardi | Guitar

Andrew is an experienced and versatile guitar instructor who is well versed in various music genres. Born and raised in West Virginia, Andrew grew up listening to Country and Rock n' Roll music. As he was developing his love and skills for the guitar at a young age, he also studied classical and jazz music along the way. After earning his Bachelor of Music Degree in Guitar Performance from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, he has been an active educator and performer in the recent years. He is currently the lead guitarist in an indie rock band, "The Honors", that appears in festivals and venues throughout the Northeast. It is his belief that the main goal for learning an instrument ... + Moreis to have fun and to explore one's own path to making music. With his upbeat personality and positive attitude, Andrew always how to make learning and music fun for his students.

Kyle McElroy | Guitar

Originally from Connecticut, Kyle McElroy is a dedicated and talented guitarist that is versatile in all styles of music, ranging from Classical, Musical Theatre, Folk to Rock and Metal. Since he was young, music has always been a prominent part of Kyle's life. Starting out on the Trumpet as a kid, Kyle’s interests and talents have eventually led him to Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music, majoring in Classical Guitar Performance. Professionally, Kyle has been an active musician performing and recording in the New England area in recent years. As a teacher, Kyle aims to help each and every student, regardless of their age, levels and interests ... + Morereach their individual’s goals, unlock their potential and develop their love for music for the rest of their lives.

Chris Poon | Guitar Program Director

Christopher Poon is an experienced teacher who has taught private students and was a faculty member of the Institute of Vocational Education in Hong Kong, where he was a lecturer for the music technology program. Chris graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor Degree in Music, double-majoring in Guitar Performance and Contemporary Writing & Production. Jazz Guitar has been his main focus in the recent years, but he enjoys playing other styles of music on the guitar as well, such as Pop, Rock, Latin, and Folk. Chris has developed his own curriculum-based, goals-driven and progressive guitar course utilizing renowned teaching materials from the Berklee College of Music and Musician ... + MoreInstitute that covers both guitar playing and music theory.

Jeff Potts | Guitar

Growing up in Portsmouth, RI, Jeff began playing guitar at the age of 11. His love for music eventually led him to the prestigious Berklee College of Music where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance. Jeff has over 30 years’ experience performing in the Boston area. Jeff is well-versed in a wide variety of music styles ranging from R&B, Funk to Rock, Metal, and Jazz. As a teacher, Jeff values patience and establishing a strong foundation of technique along with a solid understanding of music theory. He looks to instill in students and share the joy with them that music has given him all these year.

Evie Segal | Guitar

Evie Segal is a talented composer and guitarist hailing from New Milford, Connecticut. Her musical journey began with a deep appreciation for Rock and Jazz, which inspired her to pursue a career in music. Evie graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Composition, where she also led a jazz fusion band that performs and records actively locally. As a teacher, Evie’s teaching philosophy centers on gentleness and patience while recognizing the unique needs and passions of each student. She strives to nurture their love for music by helping them grow both technically and creatively.

Christopher Sweeney | Guitar

Chris Sweeney grew up in Morris, Illinois and started playing guitar and saxophone at the age of 10. He continued throughout high school playing in concert, jazz and rock groups as well as teaching lessons at Brandalino's School of Music in Morris, IL. Intending on pursuing a career in music, Chris accepted a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. Chris currently teaches elementary general music in Middleboro Public Schools at the Memorial Early Childhood Center. He continues to perform in various genres including jazz, rock, musical theatre as well as solo classical repertoire. Chris encourages all students ... + Moreto reach their full potential. He meets students at their level and uses familiar materials and techniques to help his students' progression.

Andrew Xu | Guitar

Originally from Shanghai, China, Andrew Xu is a gifted and versatile guitarist, composer, and educator. He graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Degree in Music, majoring in Jazz Composition and Music Production. Influenced by the greats such as Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Wes Montgomery, Andrew started playing guitar at the young age of 12 and has since performed/recorded in all different styles of music including Blues, Rock and Jazz to name a few. Besides performing, Andrew has also kept himself busy writing music for various bands and groups. As a teacher, Andrew focuses on building strong fundamentals while encouraging creativity, tailoring lessons ... + Moreto each student’s interests. Through his lessons, he aims to foster confidence, musical individuality and a lifelong love for the guitar and music.

Yukun Zhang | Guitar

Yukun Zhang, originally from Shanghai, China, is a gifted, seasoned guitarist and educator. He graduated from the prestigious New England Conservatory (NEC) with a Master’s Degree in music, majoring in Classical Guitar Performance. While at NEC, Yukun studied with renowned teachers such as Eliot Fisk. On top of the classical guitar, he is also passionate about other genres such as Folk, Pop, and Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Styles. Over the years, Yukun’s talent and hard work have landed him spots in various music festivals internationally such as the German Iselon Festival, Japan Nasu Art Festival, including winning 1st prize at the Wuhu Guitar Festival in China. As a teacher, Yukun believes ... + Morehaving patience is always the first and foremost cornerstone. Through his teaching, Yukun stresses the foundation of fundamentals and encourages students to have fun exploring various styles of music of their interests.