Read testimonials below from students and parents who consulted and were coached by Paula Penna personally. Interested in working with Paula? Contact her!
Coaching Testimonials
| “I want to thank you for all your help with Catherine. You are an outstanding teacher and I am glad that she had the opportunity to work with you.” |
| Elaine Allegretti -- mom/5th grade teacher |
| “I feel my kids are extremely blessed to have found you. I wish I had known you earlier so that my oldest could have worked with you, too. Thank you!” |
| Sangeeta Dhami -- mom of two teen music students at MusicMakers |
| “Paula works her musical magic to connect with teens and parents alike, especially during times of transition and change. She is perceptive and authentic, objective yet encouraging, and knows when to offer firm guidance or be an invaluable sounding board. My daughter thrived and matured in her 10-plus years at Music Makers. We are thrilled that other college-bound kids and their parents can avail themselves of Paula’s vast knowledge and practical ideas. She is the consummate educator who can help others find success and fulfillment as they navigate their musical pursuits.” |
| Donna Powell |
| “During my 10 years as a student at MusicMakers, Paula and my other teachers helped me develop technical skills as well as the ability to confidently perform in front of an audience of 200 or an audience of two. The determination and self-assurance I cultivated as a music student proved beneficial when I entered the world of job and college interviews. Music has been very influential in my personal development, and Paula has played an important role in this process. She always encourages me to push myself and to exceed expectations, and is tirelessly committed to the success of her students. I know I can always turn to her for support and advice, even though she has helped me become self-reliant inside and outside the classroom.” |
| Stephanie Powell -- Piano and Voice Student; Tufts University 2013 |
| “Paula Penna runs an excellent program along with her staff which is very helpful for vocal students. Myself being a new student who had never received formal one on one training before, I found her methods to be very helpful. Paula is very welcoming and her organization has a homey feel which made me comfortable singing in front of, for all intensive purposes, strangers. After two lessons with Paula and MusicMakers staff, I was comfortable with my song and had received good enough tips to help me make the Eastern Regional choir (which I previously had not made!). MusicMakers is a great place and I would recommend this school for audition coaching and training. Thank You!” |
| Jenny Mears -- high school Junior |
| "Paula and my teachers at the MusicMakers Academy truly jumpstarted my career in music. The teaching is excellent, and the opportunities MusicMakers offer outside of regular weekly lessons are substantial over any other place I've found in the area. I had the opportunity not only to grow as a musician and performer, but as an educator as well. Additionally, as the head of MusicMakers, Paula is a wonderful resource for musicians seeking auditions, job placement, and other performing and training opportunities." |
| Jennifer McCann -- University of CT (Music) class of 2010; MusicMakers alum, 2006 |
Consulting Testimonials
| “Paula, Thanks to you I was able to score 160 out of 170 on my song at the Eastern Regionals Competition! I just wanted to say thank you soooo much for all the help you gave me and I appreciate everything you've done... You are an amazing instructor and I never could have done so well without you!” |
| Catherine Allegretti -- High School Sophomore |
| “Paula works her musical magic to connect with teens and parents alike, especially during times of transition and change. She is perceptive and authentic, objective yet encouraging, and knows when to offer firm guidance or be an invaluable sounding board. My daughter thrived and matured in her 10-plus years at Music Makers. We are thrilled that other college-bound kids and their parents can avail themselves of Paula’s vast knowledge and practical ideas. She is the consummate educator who can help others find success and fulfillment as they navigate their musical pursuits.” |
| Donna Powell |
| “During my 10 years as a student at MusicMakers, Paula and my other teachers helped me develop technical skills as well as the ability to confidently perform in front of an audience of 200 or an audience of two. The determination and self-assurance I cultivated as a music student proved beneficial when I entered the world of job and college interviews. Music has been very influential in my personal development, and Paula has played an important role in this process. She always encourages me to push myself and to exceed expectations, and is tirelessly committed to the success of her students. I know I can always turn to her for support and advice, even though she has helped me become self-reliant inside and outside the classroom.” |
| Stephanie Powell -- Piano and Voice Student; Tufts University 2013 |
| “I have known Paula Penna for a number of years and would highly recommend her as a consultant for someone interested in music as a major in college. Paula has been my daughter’s music teacher and advisor over the last 7 – 8 years. As a parent who is very unfamiliar with the music world and the college process for music majors, Paula’s advice and assistance has been invaluable. Paula is very knowledgeable of the different music programs at various colleges & what they have to offer. She knows what needs to be done to prepare a student for auditions, has been so helpful in assisting with filling out admission applications and has always given great advice on what career to pursue in music. Paula has excellent skills in working with High School level students and making them feel comfortable in discussing their future and possible career choices. Based on my experience, I would not hesitate to recommend Paula as a college career counselor.” |
| Susan Stephenson |
| “It is with pleasure that I recommend Paula Penna as your college consultant for a music major. I have known Paula for about 7 years now as both a teacher and a mentor. She is incredibly knowledgeable in her line of work, works hard to achieve the best outcomes for her students, and is a great person to work with. Throughout the years of my college searching, she has been with me every step of the way. Whether it was helping me to find the perfect college that suits my interests or making sure the school offers productive and useful courses for a specific major, she always puts my needs first. With years of experience in college consulting under her belt, she is keen on conducting the proper research necessary for college searching, always gives excellent advice for any college concerns, and understands the proper steps for applying or auditioning to the desired college. She has successfully prepared me for numerous auditions, helped me with the written part of my applications to cater to what the colleges were looking for, and really put her heart and soul into making sure I¹d be accepted into the school best suited for me. If I had to do the college search all over again for a music major, Paula Penna would be the first person I'd call.” |
| Brooke Stephenson |
| “Paula was the deciding influence on my attending Berklee College of Music. Her kind reassurance that a degree in music was not a one way trip to unemployment and that I was, indeed, a worthy candidate for Berklee was exactly what my parents needed to hear before allowing me to apply. Paula worked with me through every step of the complicated application process from preparing for auditions to selecting compositions which were sent as supplementary material to working through a Berklee ear training textbook with me so that when I arrived I could test into higher level classes. I graduated from Berklee in 2009 with a Professional Music degree and make my living exclusively from music. I perform professionally with my band, The Whiskey Boys, teach privately and am a faculty member at a private elementary school in Dorchester. I am currently designing the curriculum for a music school that will open in the beginning of 2011. Paula's sound advice and guidance were crucial to my being accepted to Berklee which has led to all my success since.” |
| David Delaney |
