I studied classical guitar with Thomas Millioto from 1998 to 2008. When I began private classical guitar lessons with him, I was a beginner. My love of the instrument grew through these lessons and so did my love of music in general. The increase in my musical interests and abilities lead to my application and acceptance to Hunter College as a 60-credit guitar performance major. I completed my undergraduate degree in guitar performance with Professor Thomas Millioto as my guitar teacher.
Thomas has a wonderful rapport with people of all ages, especially children. He is precise and knowledgeable. He also has a great love of music and an extensive knowledge of all types of music. His stellar musicianship is evidenced in his performances on the lute, classical guitar and 19th century guitar. He has the ability to connect with his students on a personal level and his talent for communicating simple concepts, as well as for breaking down more advanced topics into understandable pieces, is truly superior. Thomas has excellent verbal communication skills and is extremely organized and reliable.
Professor Millioto has a talent for choosing music that is appropriate for each student’s skill set. By having music that was at once challenging but still within my ability, I was able to grow as a musician as my confidence grew. He would encourage me to perform in the recitals he scheduled for his students. His philosophy is that performing is a skill as much as practicing scales. Therefore, a person becomes a better performer by performing in front of people, not merely by practicing alone.
As a teacher, Thomas has been a tremendous influence in my life. Now, whether I am teaching private lessons or teaching in the classroom, I often find myself recalling the lessons he taught me, and passing them along to my students.
Professor Thomas Millioto is an outstanding educator with the gifts of communication and caring.
Sincerely,
Amy Holderness