The BACKBEAT DIFFERENCE challenges young people beyond the scope of music and encourages public self confidence in each student's REAL LIFE arena. The concept was developed by BackBeat City's founder, GREG COLOSSALE, and has been implemented with outstanding results since 1989. The BackBeat Difference has improved the musical lives of students from all walks of life, from as far west as Chicago to as far east as Siberia. Time and time again, our understanding that music speaks to everyone, despite language barriers, economic, racial, and intellectual differences supports our positive environment. With more than 5,000 students having been a part of developing this new learning process, BackBeat City is now accessible to everyone!

BACKBEAT CITY DIFFERENCE:

1. IDENTIFY the needs and goals of each individual student.

All people are different. Musical success is as diverse as people. We will satisfy the need to be artistically successful so the student can explore his or her options in a life beyond artistic employment. Our expert instructors have the collective know-how from professional performing experiences and educational institutions to direct and support our students toward their future.

   2.  MEET THESE NEEDS by addressing each student's learning style.

Science has proven that humans fall into three basic personality styles which impact learning and understanding- VISUAL, AUDITORY & KINESTHETIC. Visual learners can easily comprehend the music notes on a page, as an auditory learner can hear subtle differnces in the music, and the kinesthetic learner will master the physical technique much more easily. These three differences can infuriate an unaware teacher as the student seems to "not care." Our research has concluded that this may be the cause for such a high "quit rate" among young aspiring musicians. BBC approaches all students according to their hopes, abilities, strengths and weaknesses. That's why our first lesson is a lengthy "hang out and talk" session. If we don't know the student, we can't truly get them to their goals.

3. DRAW OUT FROM THE STUDENT while we guide them to success.

Education comes from the Latin word educo, which means to draw out from.  Musical success is an artistic expression and must come from within the student, and BACKBEAT CITY asks its teachers to talk less, play more, and ask a lot.  Our students will wallow in musical confidence, which in turn will affect all aspects of their adult life. We guarantee it!  

Hello there and thank you for being part of our family here at BackBeat City. I am humbled yet excited as I see more and more people getting involved in an idea that was created when I was 16 years old. It was in Mr. S's algebra class that I drew up the plan for a group called the BackBeat Company. After a good run with it in the public schools, it is now available to the entire state.

 BackBeat isn’t typical. We pride ourselves on a tremendous amount of caring and compassion for our students and teachers. We all have seen the world change since 9-11. We’ve seen young people and adults live more in fear and anxiety than free thought and compassion. The great people who founded our country knew that fear is a motivator, not a barricade. In the smaller picture of music, the performer wallows in the fear of performance in front of others, and we help them harness that simple fear to approach the bigger fears that life throws our way. As we create a musical product, we really are creating much more. 

I ask all of the teachers to throw their egos out the window, and leave them there. This school is built on human connection. Once that is established, we can teach your child anything- I guarantee it. We choose music as our medium, but it is our mission to acquire the funds to create a “mall for the mind and heart.” I see a building which houses not only music, but all of the arts, instruments,  books, coffee, holistic and wellness centers, and a host of other deep meaning practices. 

Our young people are losing face-to-face time as our government increases testing demands, and technology has minimally engaged our hard-wired human need for socialization. Compounding all of this is the fact that war and local terrorism has plagued the majority of our young people’s lives. After spending 18 years with over 5000 young people from the suburbs, to inner cities, to Siberia, I can say with confidence that all young people really want, all they really need, are adults who can be in the moment with them. Adults who aren’t so distracted from life’s “other stresses” and who have the ability to be with them, to teach them, to lead them, and to love them. I have always taught young people as if one day they might be my heart surgeon, or my neighbor, or my President, and now, I can reach the entire state.

 BackBeat City is here for your family. Through our musical accomplishments, we smile and share the joy with them and ask them to be the best they can. I have done it for years and I know no other way to live. With your help, not only am I living my dream, but we are all doing our part to create a better place for your children. Thank you for taking an interest in us, and we hope you will consider us your child’s safe haven away from home.

Sincerely,

Greg Colossale

Mayor of BackBeat City

GOFF Professional is one of Connecticut's Best kept secrets. In the world of professional musicians, GOFF HAMMOND ORGANS are the Rolls Royces for pro musicians. Their client list includes THE ALLMAN BROTHERS, SHERYL CROW, DAVE MATTHEWS, PHISH, PAUL SIMON, BLUES TRAVELER, PAGE & PLANT, and countless others. The business has been family owned and is presently in its 67th year of business. They have provided flawless Hammond Organ support for PAUL SCHAFFER of the David Letterman Show, JIMMY SMITH, JIMMY MCGRIFF, JOEY DEFRANCESCO, and on and on it goes. GOFF Professional understands the importance of teachers who open the doors to the world of music, and to the age old secret of the HAMMOND ORGAN. GOFF proudly endorses BACKBEAT CITY, the only academy in the state offering Hammond Lessons, and is supporting the school with top of the line equipment to EMPOWER the students and encourage them to keep on playing. Thanks GOFF!!

Check them out at www.goffprof.com