Adam R. Sweet is a seasoned music educator, violinist, mandolinist, and wedding musician specializing in teaching adult students. With a BA in Musicology and a Master’s in Ethnomusicology, he has spent decades refining his approach to helping adults learn and master traditional and roots music. Teaching adults presents both unique challenges and rewards—many come with deeply ingrained habits, yet they bring a level of passion, discipline, and life experience that makes the journey incredibly fulfilling. Adam focuses on intuitive playing, ear training, and confidence-building techniques tailored to each student’s needs.

Adam has toured extensively across the U.S. and internationally, performing and teaching music in Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Egypt, South Korea, China, Canada, and throughout the U.S. His career spans multiple genres, including classical, folk, bluegrass, Celtic, and klezmer. He has played with:

Pioneer Valley Symphony (1985–1989)
Valley Light Opera
Keene Chamber Orchestra (1995–2009)
Maple Ridge Bluegrass
Woodkerne
Sweet Blend – Contradance Band (1995–2000)
Fiddle Hill (1995–present)
Yiddishkeit Klezmer Ensemble (1995–present)
Swift River – All Original Bluegrass Band (1997 & 1998)
Celticado (2004–2018)
The Americana Project (2000–2016)
The South Hadley Mandolin Orchestra (2012–2017)
L’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble in Rhode Island
Mandolin New England, Inc. – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, where he serves as President
In addition to his work as a teacher and performer, Adam is also an experienced wedding musician, offering elegant live music for seating music and ambiance, ceremonies, cocktail hours, dinners, and receptions. He can provide:

Solo violin or mandolin performances
“Strolling” violin for an immersive experience
Classical or Gaelic (traditional music) duos
A full-size dance band for any reception
His ability to customize music for each event ensures a unique and memorable experience.

Adam also maintains a YouTube channel where he shares videos of himself playing violin, fiddle, mandolin, mandola, mandocello, octave mandolin, and Irish bouzouki. He explores a variety of styles, music theory, chord playing, and instrument demonstrations. His channel can be found at YouTube.com/@SweetMusicUSA.

His teaching philosophy is rooted in patience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of how adults learn music. In addition to one-on-one lessons (offered in-person and online), Adam runs group classes designed specifically for adult learners who often thrive in a collaborative setting. His current classes include:

Monday nights – Classical Mandolin Ensemble (currently studying Mozart)
Wednesday nights – Mandolin for Beginners group class
Thursday nights – Gaelic (Scottish/Irish) Music Group
Past group classes have included Bluegrass, Klezmer, and Jazz ensembles.

Whether students seek to rekindle a childhood passion, perform in a group setting, or simply find joy in playing, Adam provides structured yet flexible guidance to help them achieve their musical goals.