Mickey Quimby (Teacher Q)

Mickey is a dedicated music educator, performer, and mentor with more than 30 years of musical experience and over 20 years of teaching students of all ages. They hold a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where they studied classical guitar under Richard Schilling and pursued jazz piano performance. Since beginning their teaching career in 2004, Mickey has built a reputation for creating engaging, student-centered programs that inspire confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.

Mickey began teaching at the Music Academy of Chelmsford, where they developed a proprietary early childhood music program focused on building strong musical foundations through fun and meaningful experiences for young learners. During this time, they also gained valuable music industry experience working with Rounder Records.

Later, while living in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mickey became a highly sought-after instructor, teaching as many as 75 students each week at Knoxville Academy of Music. There, they created an infant and toddler music program, taught a wide range of instruments and musical styles, and directed the Knoxville Youth Guitar Ensemble, an advanced classical guitar group that performed at city events, festivals, and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood DreamMore Resort. Their excellence in teaching earned multiple nominations for Best Music Teacher by CityView magazine.

Since relocating to Mansfield, Ohio in 2017, Mickey has continued to make a lasting impact on the local arts community. They served as Guitar Department Chair at Richland Academy of the Arts and participated in professional development through the Kennedy Center Partners in Education and Center for Arts-Inspired Learning programs. Mickey has also shared music throughout the community through performances and events at the Mansfield Library, Kingwood Center Gardens, and the Mansfield High School Winter Concert.

In 2018, Mickey founded their own studio, You Can Play That!, offering private lessons and group classes designed to make music accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding for every student. They currently serve as a music teacher for the Discovery School in Mansfield, Ohio, and as music liaison and camp director for the Inspiration Through Music program.

Mickey believes successful teaching comes from understanding not only the subject, but the individual student. By recognizing each learner’s unique style and adapting instruction accordingly, they help students grow through patience, knowledge, encouragement, and humor, building not only musical skill, but confidence and a lasting love of learning.

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