Teaching Philosophy: "I am a firm believer in helping each student discover their own personal and unique style by training and developing their innate creativity. In my lessons, students will work on technique, repertoire, and theory, using real-world examples from the music students are passionate about, as well as music from many different genres about in order to gain the knowledge and dexterity necessary to develop their own sound, create their own music, and reach their personal goals."
A New England native, Nicco Centofanti does not consider himself a guitarist, rather a musician who plays the guitar. Originally influenced by classic rock and blues, Centofanti’s musical horizons have expanded far beyond rock and its sub genres since his adolescence. He soon began devouring as much music as he could get his hands on, becoming engrossed in the worlds of Jazz, R&B, Classical (both common practice and 20th century/contemporary), Electronic (both dance and art music), as well as music from all around the world. Centofanti does not believe in genre, or that one style of music is more valid than another. When asked to name his biggest influence on the guitar, he is just as likely to name figures such as Ravel, Duke Ellington, or Flying Lotus as he is to name an actual guitarist!
As well as playing in various ensembles in high school, Centofanti was a member of the school big band, which played approximately 100 concerts per year in various venues, including Disney World. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Vermont as an Honors College scholar, focusing on Physics and Jazz Studies. During this time, he studied all genres of music, and studied with Berklee alumnus Joseph Capps and Grammy winner Ray Vega. Centofanti graduated Summa cum Laude from the prestigious Berklee College of Music with his degree in Professional Music. He plans to continue working towards his masters degree. Centofanti continues to be active both as a performer and a teacher, playing in, directing, and mentoring in various ensembles as well as teaching guitar and bass.
A New England native, Nicco Centofanti does not consider himself a guitarist, rather a musician who plays the guitar. Originally influenced by classic rock and blues, Centofanti’s musical horizons have expanded far beyond rock and its sub genres since his adolescence. He soon began devouring as much music as he could get his hands on, becoming engrossed in the worlds of Jazz, R&B, Classical (both common practice and 20th century/contemporary), Electronic (both dance and art music), as well as music from all around the world. Centofanti does not believe in genre, or that one style of music is more valid than another. When asked to name his biggest influence on the guitar, he is just as likely to name figures such as Ravel, Duke Ellington, or Flying Lotus as he is to name an actual guitarist!
As well as playing in various ensembles in high school, Centofanti was a member of the school big band, which played approximately 100 concerts per year in various venues, including Disney World. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Vermont as an Honors College scholar, focusing on Physics and Jazz Studies. During this time, he studied all genres of music, and studied with Berklee alumnus Joseph Capps and Grammy winner Ray Vega. Centofanti graduated Summa cum Laude from the prestigious Berklee College of Music with his degree in Professional Music. He plans to continue working towards his masters degree. Centofanti continues to be active both as a performer and a teacher, playing in, directing, and mentoring in various ensembles as well as teaching guitar and bass.
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Coming from a big Italian family, Centofanti figured early on that music would be a great outlet for his boisterous and energetic personality. Always fascinated by it, he picked up the guitar at 15 and has not stopped since. He leads numerous bands, ranging from jazz trios and progressive rock quintets to acts such as EP=NC^2, a duo that makes up all the songs on the spot based on audience participation.
When not playing in and leading his own groups, Centofanti is also the musical director and bandleader for Wil Darcangelo and the Tribe, the world's first social enterprise rock band and afterschool/summer program that mentors young artists of all ages and gives them an avenue to experience music and creativity as well as develop their own talents. When he isn't doing this, he enjoys hiking outdoors with his dog Bruno, spending time with his brothers, and most other things that children of the early 90s find entertaining.
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