Peter Nazarene Tascio

PROFILE: Peter Tascio is a man after Jack Kent Cooke’s heart. He’s a musician with drive and enthusiasm who loves what he does. Instructors and colleagues alike say Peter, who grew up north of New York City in rural Putnam County, has a gift as both a guitarist and as a teacher. He’s infinitely patient with the students he schools on guitar playing.  He began playing the electric guitar at the age of twelve, and three years later began to study classical guitar. He was a Performing Arts major at Westchester Community College, and in 2005 he graduated with honors from the City College of New York with a B.F.A. in Jazz. Peter is a freelance musician and plays jazz, rock, folk and blues gigs around the tri-state area.  Peter has also created “Group Guitar for Grown-ups” for the over 30, 40 and 50-year-olds who may have missed their calling as a rock star.

INSPIRATION: One of Peter’s heroes is the late, great Miles Davis, a trumpeter, band leader and composer who kept all of his awards in a closet. Peter said Mr. Davis refused to display his gold and platinum records because he believed that a person is only as relevant as the work done that day. Peter buys into the Miles Davis philosophy. “Whatever I have already done is well and good,” he said. “However, I am more interested in pushing myself today so that I may grow and stretch my creativity. If someone as gifted as Miles Davis refused to settle, then there is no reason for me to do so. This force is behind whatever I have accomplished, and is a major reason why I am where I am today.”  

ASPIRATION: Peter’s goal is to become not only a professional performer (which he already is) but also a music teacher and a composer.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: In the 60s, Frank Zappa, the leader of a group called the Mothers of Invention, was making a name for himself as an offbeat character of the psychedelic music era. He also had some profound advice which Peter has taken to heart: “To paraphrase the eccentric Mr. Zappa, time is the one thing you are certain to never, ever get back. What I do with my time is very important and I can think of no better master to serve than music.” Each day that Peter can make his music or share his knowledge and love of music with students is a good day.

ACCOLADES: Peter graduated Summa Cum Laude from CCNY, was elected to Phi Theta Kappa during his community college days, and also won the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award.

INTERESTING FACT: He spent his last year of high school as an exchange student in Germany. “I didn't speak any German but it turned out that Germany is a great teacher! It was an incredible time in my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world.”