At 317 Main, we begin with a simple belief: music is essential to being human. It helps us learn, listen, and communicate. It lifts our spirits, eases stress, and creates joy. It strengthens brain development, emotional resilience, and social connection. Most importantly, music helps us tell our stories and see ourselves—and each other—more fully.
We believe creative expression is an inherent human right. By reducing barriers to participation and investing deeply in teaching artistry, we help people find their voices, explore new identities, and make meaning together.
Founded in 2004, 317 Main Community Music Center has grown into one of Maine’s leading cultural hubs for people of all ages, abilities, identities, and musical backgrounds. Across our campus in Yarmouth and through deeply rooted partnerships statewide, we offer music lessons, group classes, ensembles, workshops, community jams, summer camps, performances, concerts, and new opportunities as they emerge from community need and creative imagination.
Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time, returning after years away, or looking to deepen your craft, 317 Main is a welcoming home for musical discovery and shared experience. Our teaching artists and staff create an environment that is warm, supportive, curious, and grounded in the belief that music-making is a lifelong, intergenerational practice.
We belong to each other—and music has a singular power to help us remember that. It is upstream work: strengthening families, nurturing identity, and sustaining connection across difference and distance. At 317 Main, we honor music as a profoundly human act that helps us make meaning, stay curious, build confidence, and shape a more connected world.
317 Staff & Teaching Artists
Behind every note, class, and concert at 317 Main is a team of people devoted to the art of connection. We believe that music can reveal the best in us—our creativity, our resilience, and our capacity to listen.
Serving 317 for nearly two decades and contributing to the vision across many roles, Marie welcomes everyone to experience the joy of making music together.
Alicia Phelps is a vocalist, pianist and music educator based in Portland. Throughout her career Alicia has performed with Grammy award-winning vocalist/saxophonist Darmon Meader (New York Voices), the Portland Jazz Orchestra, organist/pianist Dr. Joe Utterback, jazz pianist Jed Wilson, and notable musicians throughout the Southern Maine and the Seacoast areas. Alicia works with multiple groups in Maine performing treasures from the American Songbook and pop favorites from the '90s and 00's.
Growing up on Scarborough beach, Nat now lives on Peaks Island after 25 years in and around the Mount Washington Valley where he was a successful granola entrepreneur and his band BlueBus Revival was often referred to as “the biggest thing the Valley never knew”. We continue to peel away the onion, learning bits and pieces of his storied past………..stay tuned.
Samantha joined the 317 Main team in 2020. Her background is in non-profit events and fundraising and she received her BA from Skidmore College and her JD from the University of Maine School of Law. Samantha lives in Yarmouth with her husband and two young sons and enjoys dancing, reading, and spending time outdoors with her family and friends.
Graeme Kennedy is an award-winning musician and cultural leader who has been a driving force behind Maine’s arts community for over two decades. Throughout his career, Kennedy has pioneered innovative strategies in advancement and communications, elevating the visibility and growth of the institutions and individuals he’s worked with. As Executive Director, he is grateful to continue to connect people and enrich communities through his lifelong passion for music.
Joe joined 317 in 2020 as a Drum set Teaching Artist. He graduated from SUNY Purchase College with a BA in Liberal Arts. After college he quickly got in the NYC music scene, playing drums with multiple bands.
As Annual Fund Officer and Grants Specialist, Lori works to secure funding to support all of 317 Main’s programs. Playing music has always been a lifeline for her, learning flute and piano in her youth and as an adult, guitar. She is also a proud member of the “if you can’t sing well, sing loud” society.
Find Your Teaching Artist
Our Teaching Artists aren’t just instructors—they’re working musicians, passionate educators, and the heart of our community. Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time or returning after years away, you'll find a guide, a cheerleader, and a creative partner in every class. From folk and fiddle to jazz, rock, and songwriting, each Teaching Artist brings deep skill, authentic joy, and a commitment to meeting you where you are. Explore our offerings and discover the people who make learning music a transformative, welcoming experience.
Strings | Percussion | Piano | Voice | Music Enrichment | Winds & Brass | Little Roots
Strings
Percussion
Piano
Voice
Music Enrichment
Winds & Brass
Little Roots & Early Education
Our Board
-
Ania Small Is a licensed counseling psychologist in private practice in Freeport. She grew up in Poland, and after graduating from University of Warsaw came to Boston where she completed her doctorate at Northeastern University and post doctoral studies at Harvard Medical School. In addition to Cambridge Hospital in Boston Ania worked at New England Rehab Hospital in Portland before focusing on private practice. Her work in psychology focused on helping client achieve their goals to live a more fulfilling life. Ania is a student at 317 as well as the board chair and strongly believes in a transformative power of music and its role in mental health.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-