Russell Chudnofsky has recorded and toured the world playing guitar for a number of internationally acclaimed artists.

This includes Grammy Award winning songwriter Lori McKenna, Grammy nominated singer Tanya Donelly, Tim Gearan, Sarah Borges, Amelia White, Eileen Rose, Scott Janovitz, Kris Delmhorst, Todd Thibaud, and Catie Curtis. He has toured as an opening act for Frank Black of the Pixies, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Throwing Muses, Laura Veirs, and has opened for Gillian Welch, Hot Tuna, Steve Earle, Gary Clark Jr. and John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Russell played guitar for Lori McKenna on the Faith Hill/Tim McGraw Soul to Soul II tour, the largest country music tour in history at the time. He has also appeared at The Grand Ole Opry, Lincoln Center in New York City, and on Good Morning America with McKenna.

Russell is also an accomplished guitar instructor, working with individuals and groups. He works with all ages at all levels. Feel free to contact him at russellchud@hotmail.com for info on scheduling a guitar lesson or workshop. He teaches lessons in person and online.

Russell is always working on a variety of projects: https://russellchudnofsky.bandcamp.com/releases showcases his latest rock offerings. Songs of a more acoustic nature can be heard by his band The Medicine Chest and he highlights his instrumental compositions with Big Sky Sounds .



Lessons


“Hello, I am a musician, a music teacher, and a former career counselor who has had the great fortune of traveling the world playing music.

I absolutely love music and I believe my love is infectious. I truly believe that anyone can play music, and play it well, as long as they are determined and willing. I usually teach beginning students how to read music and how to understand melody and rhythm. With students who have played before, or are past the beginner stage, the emphasis is less on understanding music notation, and more on developing a firm musical repertoire. After that, the emphasis is on creating a musical identity of one's own. In this stage, improvisation is studied, as is music theory and composition.

I feel that everyone should have a creative outlet. Music, to me, is the most immediate and universal of all the arts. It is a wonderful language to learn.

I teach lessons in person and online.

Below are some testimonials written by my students, and some of their parents.
Also included are some interesting articles regarding music and intelligence. ”



Testimonials

I met Russell when I was in third grade and took lessons with him until I was 17 and graduated high school. What I liked most about taking lessons with him was that not only would he teach me songs that I wanted to learn, he would also introduce me to new music and teach me new techniques while doing so. He would never get upset or disappointed and was always a cool and level headed person to go to. I remember I used to involuntarily say sorry if I made a mistake while practicing something during a lesson and he emphasized to me that I didn't need to say sorry. He taught me that mistakes happen when you learn something new and that's normal. I think one of the most stressful times I had was when I was in my junior year of high school and was part of the school jazz band. I didn't know any of the music and had trouble learning an enormous packet of multiple songs by myself. But every week I'd bring that packet to my lesson with Russell and we'd sit down and go through them page by page. I still hated jazz band but he helped me get through it without being totally inept. I'm 22 now and while I haven't taken lessons with Russell for close to five years now, I've kept in regular contact with him since then. He has been a good person to talk to about anything in these past few years. He's been able to give me advice and has been someone to listen to me talk about whatever I'm going through. Not only was he an understanding, kind, and interesting guitar teacher, but he has been an invaluable friend to me as well.

Anthony Springett

I had a fun and productive time with Russell! He works by allowing the student to lead. When he gave my guitar lessons, he would teach me the basics of playing guitar through songs that I wanted to learn how to play. He has an excellent ear where he could write me the tune of a song by ear. He is very respectful and thoughtful of the student.

Liz Raine

Russell is an amazing player who takes the time to teach you patiently and with great insights on what you are learning and how it relates to not only the song but the theory behind it. He'll amaze you with his ability to teach you anything you throw at him no matter the style of music.

Ryan Vangel

My son was involved in the band program which Russell lead through Medfield Makes Music. Russell was excellent in organizing the program and the kids … he realized each child’s strength so they were able to excel individually and as a group. He earned the kids’ respect by working them as a teacher and as a member of their band. My son thoroughly enjoyed Russell and the program.

Kim Kaufman Lipsy

"I have been playing guitar my whole life and Russell showed me there is always more to learn about your own playing! Russell is an incredible and unique guitar teacher. Within' the first half of our first lesson, he had pointed out how I could get better dynamics out of my right hand picking style. He helped me prepare some guitar solos I never thought I'd be able to play. His lessons gave me confidence I needed to tackle some serious gigs:) Guitar playing is fun again! "

Eric Salt

"I've been a happy student of Russell's for over 2 years now. I began knowing rudimentary chords and not much more. With his guidance, I now have a growing repertoire and am at the point where my family actually enjoys listening to me play! He has a great ability to teach the style of of music that's most motivating to me, so I leave every lesson enthusiastic about the week of practice ahead. Russell is a passionate and accomplished musician, but also an extremely effective teacher. Whether you're 8 or 58, I strongly recommend you give him a try! "

David Fischer

"Russ Chudnofsky taught my son guitar for six years. Always patient, reliable and down-to-earth, he did an excellent job tailoring the lessons to my son's interests and keeping them fun. Beyond teaching him to read and play music, Russ nurtured his composition, vocal and showmanship skills, encouraging my son's overall creativity. "

Jean Letai

"Russell has a great feel for the guitar beyond just the notes and chords. He really helped me to get more out of the instrument, and made me more comfortable in translating songs for the guitar that I could play and be happy with, both for myself and in public. "

Chip Rives

"Russell has been teaching guitar to my nine-year-old daughter for a couple of years. She was initially stubborn about learning an instrument and about daily practicing, but has become thoroughly engaged with guitar because of Russell's teaching style. She describes him as "funny, kind, and patient." I would describe him as "devoted, creative, and passionate." Because of his willingness to push her beyond the basics, she has become quite proud of what she's able to accomplish week after week. He also organized a band for both my daughters to perform in: an exceptional experience that they would do again in a heartbeat. "

Laurie Baker

"Russell Chudnofsky has been a valued private guitar instructor at Medfield Makes Music (MMM) for over 10 years. The experience of his students as musicians has ranged from beginners to advanced players and from those aged 7 to adults. He has also led our band program for the last 5 years. Russell’s students clearly thrive under his instruction and it’s wonderful to see how long lasting his relationships with his students are. Most of his students continue to study with him for many years as he successfully supports and navigates them through all the stages and challenges that arise for young musicians. The feedback I get from parents on his behalf is always appreciative. He touches his students’ families in many important ways, so much so that one family asked him to take part in the Big Brother program to mentor her son. Russell is one of the most reliable people I’ve ever worked with. His commitment to his work is amazing. He has almost never cancelled lessons, is always on time and quickly communicates with his students if an emergency scheduling conflict arises. In the 10 plus years that Russell has worked at MMM, I have never received a complaint about his teaching or his management of his teaching schedule. As a business owner, I take great comfort in knowing that my clients are in good hands when they are studying with Russell and I enjoy watching his students excel. "

Lori Perkins M.Ed. Medfield Makes Music

"My son Jack has been taking electric guitar lessons with Russell from the moment he showed interest in the instrument 5 years ago. Russell has been a fantastic teacher for my son---patient, creative, fun and highly skilled. He is masterful at adapting his style to the needs of his students, including video taping himself playing a song on my sons iphone so that he could replay it and learn while he is practicing at home. "

Kelly Reilly

Student Videos




For info on booking a lesson or a workship email russellchud@hotmail.com






Solo

After years of backing the greatest songwriters in the world I am once again writing and recording my own material.

Listen to the new Ep Goodbye Again below



To purchase music from the new Ep Goodbye Again
Click Here




Production

Dave Finney is a singer/songwriter from the Boston area that I produced.
Here is a link to 5 recordings we worked on: www.dfinney.bandcamp.com/releases



Recordings

Recordings I've played guitar on


Letting You Go

Steve Mayone. Me on slide guitar solo.


So Familiar

Tim Gearan. Me on slide guitar


Tooraloo

Tanya Donelly. Me on acoustic slide guitar


Radio Sweetheart

Sarah Borges- me on electric ambient guitars, slide guitars, baritone guitar


Motorcycle Dream

Amelia White. Me on slide guitar.


Better Not Ask

Amelia White. Me on electric guitar


Too Late For Cryin'

Lucky 57. Me on electric guitar.



Projects


The Medicine Chest

The Medicine Chest is a solo project of mine consisting of simple, stripped down songs. Recorded with Andy Plaisted at Electric Andyland Studios. The Medicine Chest on Bandcamp


Sky Paint Rock Opera

Skypaint, is an acclaimed rock opera I wrote and performed.

SkyPaintMusic.com

“Terrific: immediately infectious, hard-rocking, and heartfelt. Skypaint may just be the best rock [or pop] opera by a small-scale band.”

Jim SullivanBoston Globe

Big Sky Sounds

Big Sky Sounds is an instrumental project featuring songs composed and performed by Russell Chudnofsky and recorded by David Minehan at Woolly Mammoth Studios with John Sands on drums.

Big Sky Sounds Bandcamp



Videos

Guestlisted Guitar Lesson : Russell Chudnofsky on Slide Guitar


Lori McKenna, Mark Erelli, and Russell Chudnofsky perform Stealing Kisses
and Witness to Your Life in Toronto, opening for
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw on their Soul to Soul 2 tour.


Tim Gearan Band at Tweed River Music Festival


Russell Chudnofsky on his guitar/pedal steel hybrid made by MSA pedal steels with Peavey guitars


Tanya Donelly live in Brighton, UK with Dean Fisher, Russell Chudnofsky, and Sam Davol


More videos on my YouTube Channel