ABOUT US

The Community Music Space was founded by Ben Senterfit to provide a voice for music in the Hudson Valley. Our goal is to prepare people for a musical life – refining and building skills for professional and aspiring performers  while providing an educational center in the community for all ages.

Ben Senterfit

Owner, Director, Teacher

Ben Senterfit is a multi-instrumentalist and vocal coach who has over 20 years of professional performing experience. He is  a journeyman musician, having toured extensively, run an independent record label, and taught throughout the United States. Ben is an educator who has worked as a vocal coach with hundreds of students from professionals and presenters to children and teens. He has a music degree from the Lamont School of Music and has studied for years with renown vocal expert Dr. Scott Martin. He has been a student of the saxophone and guitar since he was 8 years old and teaches all levels of both instruments. He lives in Red Hook, NY with his wife and two children.

Mary Ward

Acting and Improv Coach

Mary Ward is an actress and director whose career has spanned more than 20 years. Her stage credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, and regional Theatre. She is an Independent Spirit Nominee and has appeared in film and TV. She holds a Graduate degree from The London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and furthered her training with legendary New York Director Wynn Handman of The American Place Theatre. Mary is a passionate acting coach and has run acting camps for children and youth since 2002.

Cara Silvernail

Teacher

Bio Coming Soon...

TESTIMONIALS

“I have taken classes with Ben in both group and private settings. He has the uncanny ability to connect with each individual where they are and bring them a little farther along. He applies and shares his vast musical knowledge, mindful of what the students are trying to accomplish. In a private lesson, he first gets clear on what I want from the lesson and methodically gives me as much as I can handle at the time. During the lesson, he frequently asks if I am getting what I want. Ben’s background in voice training, guitar and performance makes his lessons very rich in content and very efficient. He has left awfully big shoes to fill here in Colorado.”
—Arlene Jones, Student

Ben Senterfit is one of those teachers that everybody needs. His teaching is based on his own continuous and tireless studies with great masters as well as his personal exploration as an active and versatile performer. He is so much more than a vocal coach; he is a mentor, a friend and your favorite cheerleader.
—Kailin Yong, fiddler for peace with Kailin Yong Peace Project and Boulder Acoustic Society

Ben is an excellent vocal coach. I took voice lessons from Ben in 2007 to improve my singing abilities in preparation for band auditions, and continued after becoming lead singer for a local rock band. He was able to quickly pinpoint my needs and helped me improve my abilities in a short period of time. His instruction, tips and recommendations were invaluable for my stage performance as well. He is very personable, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. I recommend him highly.
—Marie M. Vlasic, singer, performer, and visual artist. www.vlasicstudio.com