Max Wheeler

Maxwell Wheeler is a passionate and committed music educator and performer based in Western Massachusetts. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz and African American Music Studies from the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he studied saxophone with Dr. Felipe Salles and Prof. Jonathan Hulting-Cohen.

Max believes in an individualized music education because every student has different interests, strengths and learning styles. His approach acknowledges that musical fulfillment requires finding what inspires students to commit time and effort to musical exploration and practice while guiding and enriching their journey with technical, theoretical, and creative skills.

Before studying at UMass, Max played Clarinet at Mechanics Hall with the Central Massachusetts District Orchestra (2018), and Boston Symphony Hall (2019) with the all state concert band. Since then, he has played at venues such as Boston’s Regatta Bar with Jeffery Holmes’s Jazz Ensemble 1 and Bombyx Center for the Arts and Equity playing with members of the Felipe Salles Interconnections Ensemble. Max has played with remarkable jazz musicians such as Delfeayo Marsalis, Sean Jones, Jeffery Holmes, Haneef Nelson, and Andrea Tofanelli. He’s also played at various venues around New England, including Linda Manor Assisted living, Lathrop Community, the Deerfield Inn and many more.

Max is currently the general music teacher at Pelham Elementary school, band & instrumental music teacher at Clinton Middle School, and has been teaching private lessons since he was in High School. His upbeat attitude, attention to detail and individualized approach to music education helps students to find what they love about music and look forward to coming into lessons!