| Melissa Monforti Owner/Founder |
It is with a humble heart that I walk into the studio and challenge a
grown adult to play a simple song, or engage families to stomp like
dinosaurs, or stand by as a child realizes the dramatic difference
between the major and minor scales. There is so much that is
inherently natural in making music, that I can hardly take credit for
much more than opening the space for people to explore what they
already have inside them.
What I can take is the joy I feel every time that "ah-ha!" moment occurs
and something clicks to bring it all together. For some, it takes a few
moments of struggle and for others a few months. The gift I offer is a
real trust in the process and lots of patience and encouragement.
That and a sense of humor! Come and enjoy learning.
grown adult to play a simple song, or engage families to stomp like
dinosaurs, or stand by as a child realizes the dramatic difference
between the major and minor scales. There is so much that is
inherently natural in making music, that I can hardly take credit for
much more than opening the space for people to explore what they
already have inside them.
What I can take is the joy I feel every time that "ah-ha!" moment occurs
and something clicks to bring it all together. For some, it takes a few
moments of struggle and for others a few months. The gift I offer is a
real trust in the process and lots of patience and encouragement.
That and a sense of humor! Come and enjoy learning.
| Robyn Dino Guitar Teacher |
At the age of forty three I decided to do something I have always wanted
to do but thought I never could - play guitar. My friend, Melissa invited
me to come to class, lent me a guitar and with great patience and
direction taught me and two other women, who like me, were mothers,
wives, employed, and busy with our own lives. Each week we came
together and learned we could create music!
There was a lot of struggle but a lot of joy to learn something totally
new and tap into a creative part of myself that was asleep. Now much
of my happiness in my life comes from my guitar and from other
musicians I have met who love to play. When my son asked me if I
could bring one thing to a deserted island, (besides him and my
husband of course) without hesitation, I said, “My guitar!”
I have a beginner’s mind, as it wasn’t long ago that I sat in the same
chair you may sit in. The time is right to take the first step in your
journey of making music. I would love to be there to guide you, laugh
with you, and support you on your musical journey and promise you will
find inspiration seep into all areas of your life.
to do but thought I never could - play guitar. My friend, Melissa invited
me to come to class, lent me a guitar and with great patience and
direction taught me and two other women, who like me, were mothers,
wives, employed, and busy with our own lives. Each week we came
together and learned we could create music!
There was a lot of struggle but a lot of joy to learn something totally
new and tap into a creative part of myself that was asleep. Now much
of my happiness in my life comes from my guitar and from other
musicians I have met who love to play. When my son asked me if I
could bring one thing to a deserted island, (besides him and my
husband of course) without hesitation, I said, “My guitar!”
I have a beginner’s mind, as it wasn’t long ago that I sat in the same
chair you may sit in. The time is right to take the first step in your
journey of making music. I would love to be there to guide you, laugh
with you, and support you on your musical journey and promise you will
find inspiration seep into all areas of your life.
We truly believe in the inherent musical ability of every person, from infants to
elderly. We dedicate our time and energy to helping families and individuals
become the music makers they were born to be.
We also feel strongly that music is an ACTION. Although it's fun to listen to
the greats, we too can make the world a better place every time we bust into
song.
Few of us need to be a rock star. However, it is a significant part of our
human nature to be music makers. Forte Music Education is here to guide
folks along their musical journey to being good enough...good enough to
enjoy doing something we all love - MUSIC!
elderly. We dedicate our time and energy to helping families and individuals
become the music makers they were born to be.
We also feel strongly that music is an ACTION. Although it's fun to listen to
the greats, we too can make the world a better place every time we bust into
song.
Few of us need to be a rock star. However, it is a significant part of our
human nature to be music makers. Forte Music Education is here to guide
folks along their musical journey to being good enough...good enough to
enjoy doing something we all love - MUSIC!
Forte Music Education LLC was founded in 2007 by singer-songwriter and
guitarist, Melissa Monforti.
Melissa hails from New York, and has claimed Colorado as home since
1995. She has been involved with music since childhood and picked up
guitar as a teenager. She has performed professionally since her early
twenties and has written over 40 original songs. A natural teacher, Melissa
has taught everything from cooking to Tai Chi.
In 2004, as a new mother, Melissa brought her then seven-month old son to
their first Music Together class. The program was so inspiring and rich, she
became teacher within a year.
Forte Music Education has taught Music Together to countless families,
hundreds every week, in the Denver-metro area. The number of families
who've enjoyed our music parties is too numerous to count - a few dozen a
year since 2004.
In 2007, Melissa developed the first incarnation of the beginner guitar
curriculum and graduated her first three guitarists. Since then, Forte has
graduated over one hundred beginner guitar students and over fifty
intermediate guitarists. In 2010, we added Robyn Dino to teach beginner
and intermediate guitar. In 2011, in collaboration with Bill Mangham, Forte
added advanced level guitar lessons featuring video learning tools.
Fourteen students have graduated advanced lessons.
Big Kids Music Tour LLC was founded in 2009 by Melissa and fellow early
childhood music educator, Jo Daley. Big Kids Music Tour evolved to
address the gap in music education for the 5-10 year old age set. Melissa
has been the primary curriculum developer, taught all the initial sessions,
and developed teacher training to branch into other locations and
after-school programs.
guitarist, Melissa Monforti.
Melissa hails from New York, and has claimed Colorado as home since
1995. She has been involved with music since childhood and picked up
guitar as a teenager. She has performed professionally since her early
twenties and has written over 40 original songs. A natural teacher, Melissa
has taught everything from cooking to Tai Chi.
In 2004, as a new mother, Melissa brought her then seven-month old son to
their first Music Together class. The program was so inspiring and rich, she
became teacher within a year.
Forte Music Education has taught Music Together to countless families,
hundreds every week, in the Denver-metro area. The number of families
who've enjoyed our music parties is too numerous to count - a few dozen a
year since 2004.
In 2007, Melissa developed the first incarnation of the beginner guitar
curriculum and graduated her first three guitarists. Since then, Forte has
graduated over one hundred beginner guitar students and over fifty
intermediate guitarists. In 2010, we added Robyn Dino to teach beginner
and intermediate guitar. In 2011, in collaboration with Bill Mangham, Forte
added advanced level guitar lessons featuring video learning tools.
Fourteen students have graduated advanced lessons.
Big Kids Music Tour LLC was founded in 2009 by Melissa and fellow early
childhood music educator, Jo Daley. Big Kids Music Tour evolved to
address the gap in music education for the 5-10 year old age set. Melissa
has been the primary curriculum developer, taught all the initial sessions,
and developed teacher training to branch into other locations and
after-school programs.
| Values |
| History |
I’m thrilled and honored to join Melissa and Robyn. It’s wonderful to
have an opportunity to share the magic of music with people eager to
learn and eager to share their knowledge with me and others. The
guitar has been an important part of my life for many years (and
always will be) and nothing satisfies me like playing guitar with
others!
Music possesses an unsurpassed ability to bring joy and
contentment into our lives. And playing guitar gives us a great way to
experience music, for with a few simple chords we can learn to play
thousands of songs that will nourish our spirit for a lifetime. The
guitar appears so small – just six strings, a few frets and a wooden
box – but its possibilities are infinite, and there’s no greater pleasure
than gleefully exploring in the boundless realm of the guitar.
Music lives in us all. Even scientific studies show that we are “hard
wired” to hear, understand and appreciate music. My goal as a
teacher is to help each student hear the unique music that lives
inside and to bring it to reality on the guitar. We will explore together,
learn from each other, all the while listening for the beauty of the
music that comes from within.
have an opportunity to share the magic of music with people eager to
learn and eager to share their knowledge with me and others. The
guitar has been an important part of my life for many years (and
always will be) and nothing satisfies me like playing guitar with
others!
Music possesses an unsurpassed ability to bring joy and
contentment into our lives. And playing guitar gives us a great way to
experience music, for with a few simple chords we can learn to play
thousands of songs that will nourish our spirit for a lifetime. The
guitar appears so small – just six strings, a few frets and a wooden
box – but its possibilities are infinite, and there’s no greater pleasure
than gleefully exploring in the boundless realm of the guitar.
Music lives in us all. Even scientific studies show that we are “hard
wired” to hear, understand and appreciate music. My goal as a
teacher is to help each student hear the unique music that lives
inside and to bring it to reality on the guitar. We will explore together,
learn from each other, all the while listening for the beauty of the
music that comes from within.
| Bill Mangham Guitar Teacher |