CABAMA
Barbara Toennies' Full Testimonial

I made both my children study an instrument -- and gave them a choice. My son chose the drums. That was a dark day for me. Expensive equipment, angry neighbors and little real benefit to him musically loomed in my future...or so I thought. Six years later, my son Ryan is about to enter Berklee College of Music. His life has been transformed. He has a sense of purpose and commitment that I do not see in many of his friends. He is a serious, dedicated musician. A lot of credit for Ryan’s success goes to Scott Moyer...who turned a casual interest in the drums into a real passion for music of all kinds. Scott, who started as Ryan’s private teacher and then became the music director at his school, motivated Ryan to expand his knowledge of music in every way. I suspect Ryan initially viewed the drums as a way to escape the inevitable music theory that would come with other instruments. Scott opened Ryan’s eyes to the importance of learning everything possible...to the extent that Ryan eventually began to study guitar and piano and became an avid student of musical theory. He eventually expanded his interest to recording and mixing music and became the driving force behind several bands.

In his capacity as Musical Director for Bridges Academy, Scott organized a wildly diverse group of 14 and 15 year olds into a legitimate band. What started out as an excuse for the boys to sport a parade of wild haircuts...we went through Mohawks, spikes, shaved heads...was channeled by Scott into a tight and disciplined musical group. Their last performance as a group, shortly before they graduated from Bridges, was awe inspiring. Scott is prodigiously energetic and ceaselessly optimistic about the potential of his students. He is also that very rare thing...an inspirational teacher who changes lives.
BARBARA TOENNIES