
Teaching Philosophy: "My defining belief as an educator is that the onus of enabling understanding is on me. When introducing a new concept to a student, I need to be flexible, consider the way the student learns, and work to find a way to convey the information to them so that their road to understanding is as short and straight as possible. This is not to say that some concepts shouldn't be digested for long periods of time. Sometimes the struggle to understand is a crucial part of the lesson learned.
All too often we don't cater to our student's specific learning style. Sometimes all that is needed is a change of phrasing or a different example to make that leap to understanding. And with every leap taken, they build upon their confidence as learners and know that, some day, they'll climb mountains.
Some of the most valuable help I ever received as a student was being shown how to teach myself. Now, I aim to foster the same skill in my students. I find the most powerful motivation for self-development comes from observing one's own improvement.
With regard to the piano, I focus on cultivating one’s sound through honing musicality, practice methods, technique, and one's mental approach. I hope to encourage in my students a passion for music and a lifelong relationship with their instrument."
Nicholas Brewer is a Boston-based musical artist. As a pianist, he gave the world premier of Francine Trester’s A Robert Lowry Reader with Leanne Estabrook, soprano. As a composer, he experiments with electroacoustic and free music. As an educator, Nicholas is a committed teaching artist and seeks to incorporate teaching moments into all his performances. He strongly believes that everyone has the capacity to become a great musician, all that is required is awareness, introspection, and exploration.
Brewer sees working with others as the most rewarding form of music making. His recent performances have included stagings of Schubert's Winterreise, movie music retrospectives, and political commentary. He has performed at/in/on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum; Harvard Musical Association; The Lilypad in Cambridge, MA; Regattabar in Cambridge, MA; the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music; Pickman Hall at Longy School of Music; and the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY.
Nicholas Brewer’s teachers include Donald Berman, Benjamin Hochman, and Sar-Shalom Strong. His alma mater is Hamilton College, where he studied Computer Science, Music, and Art. Nicholas received his Master's degree at Longy School of Music of Bard College. He is a member of the National Piano Guild. Nicholas has been teaching since 2015 and has been with Note-worthy Experiences since July 2017. He is also a judge for the 2021 Note-worthy Experiences Merit Scholarship Competition.
Read more about Nicholas on his Teacher Feature.
All too often we don't cater to our student's specific learning style. Sometimes all that is needed is a change of phrasing or a different example to make that leap to understanding. And with every leap taken, they build upon their confidence as learners and know that, some day, they'll climb mountains.
Some of the most valuable help I ever received as a student was being shown how to teach myself. Now, I aim to foster the same skill in my students. I find the most powerful motivation for self-development comes from observing one's own improvement.
With regard to the piano, I focus on cultivating one’s sound through honing musicality, practice methods, technique, and one's mental approach. I hope to encourage in my students a passion for music and a lifelong relationship with their instrument."
Nicholas Brewer is a Boston-based musical artist. As a pianist, he gave the world premier of Francine Trester’s A Robert Lowry Reader with Leanne Estabrook, soprano. As a composer, he experiments with electroacoustic and free music. As an educator, Nicholas is a committed teaching artist and seeks to incorporate teaching moments into all his performances. He strongly believes that everyone has the capacity to become a great musician, all that is required is awareness, introspection, and exploration.
Brewer sees working with others as the most rewarding form of music making. His recent performances have included stagings of Schubert's Winterreise, movie music retrospectives, and political commentary. He has performed at/in/on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum; Harvard Musical Association; The Lilypad in Cambridge, MA; Regattabar in Cambridge, MA; the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music; Pickman Hall at Longy School of Music; and the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY.
Nicholas Brewer’s teachers include Donald Berman, Benjamin Hochman, and Sar-Shalom Strong. His alma mater is Hamilton College, where he studied Computer Science, Music, and Art. Nicholas received his Master's degree at Longy School of Music of Bard College. He is a member of the National Piano Guild. Nicholas has been teaching since 2015 and has been with Note-worthy Experiences since July 2017. He is also a judge for the 2021 Note-worthy Experiences Merit Scholarship Competition.
Read more about Nicholas on his Teacher Feature.

I wanted to write to say how delighted we have been with Nick's skillful, enthusiastic piano instruction. Over the years, Nick has proven himself adept at teaching on a variety of levels, having worked with both children and adults in our family. His positive attitude and communication skills ("people skills" in general) are excellent. In the past year, Nick has proven willing and eager guide us through music theory, composition, and technical skills, always adapting flexibly to his student's interests and ability. I cannot recommend Nick highly enough. He's wonderful, and we feel fortunate to have found him.
- Sarah from Acton
- Sarah from Acton
In his free time, Nicholas loves to go on extravagant cooking adventures, run, practice calisthenics, take care of his large collection of houseplants, try learning new skills such as auto repair, furniture refinishing, etc., and think about creative projects related to music and education.
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