Meet the Team
The strength of Peak Music lies in our people. Our team is made up of dedicated musicians, educators, and mentors who are passionate about inspiring the next generation of artists. Each of our teachers brings a unique blend of professional experience and a deep love of music education, creating a supportive and energizing environment where students can truly thrive. Get to know the people who make Peak Music a place to learn, grow, and connect through music.
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FOUNDER & MUSIC DIRECTOR
A multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and educator, Pete is the fearless leader and creative force behind Peak Music, where he serves as Founder and Music Director. With 15 years of experience teaching music in a range of settings—from public schools and after-school programs to summer camps and private lessons—Pete is an expert facilitator who believes deeply in the power of music to build connection and community.
In addition to his work as an educator, Pete has toured nationally as a guitarist and producer, performing alongside legendary acts such as Steely Dan, Parliament, Alabama Shakes, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. His original music has been featured in TV shows and commercials, including Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and American Pickers.
Most recently, Pete founded the Vermont-based funk/soul band Cheddar, which is making waves with performances across the state and holding summer residencies at The Alchemist and Eastside Bar at Outbound Stowe.
Learn more at petecornellmusic.com, or check out his teaching style on his YouTube channel.
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GENERAL MANAGER
Meet our drum master and keeper of the schedule, Brandon. A world class drummer, skilled guitarist and pianist, Brandon has spent his life honing his craft and working as a touring musician and educator. He has managed several School of Rock locations in CT and NY, and knows how to make music education, engaging and fun for all involved.
As a performer he has toured with Europe and the USA with the heavy metal band Fórn, and now has turned his focus to Jazz, playing throughout NYC with various ensembles including his own Brandon Terkzakis Trio. With such a diverse background playing hard rock and studying Jazz at the New School and Berklee, we are thrilled to have a skilled artist like Brandon on our side.
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MULTI-INSTRUMENT INSTRUCTOR
Avery Cooper is our Swiss Army Knife. He is a versatile musician who can teach almost any instrument you think of.
He grew up in Richmond, VT. As a child, Avery learned to play piano, saxophone, guitar, and sing. He attended the Hartt School of Music before finishing his degree in Jazz Performance at University of Vermont.
Since then, Avery has performed and recorded in countless groups on alto, tenor, baritone and soprano saxophones, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, and EWI (electronic wind instrument) and vocals. Avery is at home in the Burlington VT music community, playing as a sideman with various local bands. This includes, but is not limited to The Discussions, Satyrdagg, All Night Boogie Band, Chicken Fat Injection, The Good Parts, Strange Purple Jelly, The Reflexions, Into the Mystic (Van Morrison Tribute), Greg Rothwell Swungtet.
In addition, Avery is a bandleader. His original project COOP (formally ACQ or Avery Cooper Quartet) is a funk/fusion band which Avery plays sax, EWI and sings. In Avery Cooper Trio, he plays jazz standards on sax, flute, clarinet and voice. The trio is accompanied by drums and piano. Finally, Avery is the bandleader of Nintendoods- a Nintendo soundtrack supergroup. Nintendoods is an 8 piece horn based band playing the themes from various Nintendo video games. You can even play gamecube while the band performs!
He has taught music for almost a decade. Avery has worked in the school system for years, as a para-educator, a band teacher assistant, a lessons instructor, and a chorus and general music teacher. Outside of the classroom, he has experience teaching private lessons. From beginner to advanced saxophone and jazz improvisation lessons, to beginner to intermediate flute and clarinet lessons, to beginner drums, brass, bass and guitar lessons, Avery has skills to support your learning!
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GUITAR INSTRUCTOR
Will Downey is a seasoned guitar instructor with over 14 years of experience in both online and in-person teaching. Based in Burlington, VT, Will has cultivated a successful teaching practice, providing personalized lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. His teaching approach includes customized lesson plans, supplemental materials, and ongoing support to ensure each student’s success.
Will has a unique ability to translate complex music theory into comprehensible and practical exercises, unlocking the fretboard for his students. He emphasizes understanding the notes and construction of chords over mere positioning and shapes, fostering a more organic and fluid approach to guitar playing. Will's flexibility and personalized pedagogy adapt to each student's pace, pushing them to the limits of their abilities and beyond.
In addition to his teaching, Will is an in-demand session musician and composer, collaborating with various artists to enhance their recordings with his versatile guitar skills and compositional expertise. His live performance experience spans numerous tours across the United States, Europe, and Australia, showcasing his adaptability and proficiency in extreme metal and other genres.
Will holds a degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is proficient in several Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), making him a well-rounded and knowledgeable instructor dedicated to helping his students achieve their musical goals.
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Vocals/Piano/Guitar Instructor
Meet Janéa! She is thrilled to have the opportunity to mentor the next generation of talented young artists at Peak Music.
Janéa is a Vermont based jazz vocalist known for her powerful voice and captivating stage presence. Since earning her Bachelor of Music from Northern Vermont University in 2021 and launching her professional career in 2022, she has become a staple of the local music scene. She fronts her own Quintet in Burlington where she delivers soulful jazz and leads the funk infused band Cheddar to light up the stage here in Stowe. Drawing inspiration from legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Erykah Badu, her music brings a unique energy and diversity to the regional jazz community. Janéa is passionate about sharing her professional experience and helping her students find their own unique voices.
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Piano Instructor
As a lifelong musician from New York, Matt’s deep passion and experience are what have allowed him to succeed as a professional musician and instructor. He began gigging and studio recording in elementary school which later developed into playing in wedding bands, creative projects, and a charity concert series throughout middle and high school.
Matt moved to Burlington in 2017 where he attended the University of Vermont to study philosophy and music.
He continues his journey by touring the country with jam band and musical theater artist, Hayley Jane, as well as several Burlington local projects such as Lazy Bird (funk/fusion), Small Talk (jazz, funk, pop, country), AHOF (wedding band series), and more. These experiences have allowed Matt to understand the art of music in a much more detailed and wholistic manner, as the well as gain perspective on the industry and it’s people.
Matt’s main goal as an instructor is to inspire and bring out the passion and creativity that everyone holds within them. This ranges from basic technique and theory practice, to ear training and transcription, and advanced improvisation, composition, and advanced harmonic/rhythmic concepts. Matt preaches nothing more than to learn what you like, to learn what inspires you, and to learn what really makes you feel something.
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GUITAR & BASS INSTRUCTOR
Marc is a talented guitarist with interests in Jazz/Rock/Bluegrass. He has played festivals and venues across the US, and is now rooted in the East Coast. He studied at Berklee College of Music 2012-2016, and has a Bachelors in guitar performance. Marc has taught guitar for 10 years and enjoys working with people of all ages and ablilities. Catch him playing some of the best Jazz and Bluegrass players in the area.
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PIANO & VOCAL INSTRUCTOR
Marion Palmiero is a Vermont-born soprano and voice and piano teacher with a passion for using music to evoke social change, community outreach, and inspire young musicians. She has been teaching voice and piano for the last three years, and acquired a Bachelor of Music at the Longy School of Music in partnership with Emerson College. Marion has performed across New England in opera, operetta and musical theater productions. Most recently, she’s been seen in the chorus of Il Conte Ory with Pico Opera, in MassOpera's summer production of Alcina, and the title role in scenes of Beth Wiemann's new opera Blondine.
When Marion began teaching, she was immediately fascinated by the technicality of the voice and the attention to detail required to communicate musical concepts. Marion’s voice teaching philosophy is founded on a variety of vocalises and warm ups for finding a healthy, relaxed breath, tailoring speed of air, and creative exploration of the student’s instrument. Marion emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and open-mindedness in the learning process, and works with each student to make the practice room a safe place. In combination with vocal technique, Marion's voice students also learn how to read music notation and practice ear training.
Marion's piano teaching is derived from a combination of joyful exploration and constructive repetition, where even the most rudimentary exercises are driven by musicality and musical expression. Piano lessons are composed of technical exercises, musical interpretation, music theory, and creative improvisation. Marion finds teaching to be one of the most rewarding practices because she learns just as much from each and every student ‒ regardless of age or level ‒ as she hopes each student does from her. Though Marion is trained classically, she enjoys teaching musical theater and popular music, as well as helping students compose their own pieces.
Outside of the practice room, Marion enjoys hiking, meditating, and taking care of her many indoor plants.