centered environment. He’s built a legacy of service that reflects his commitment to both the arts and his hometown.
Early Roots and Musical Beginnings
Kuzminski’s roots in Portland run deep. "I was born and brought up here, right on Perry Avenue," he said. After graduating from Portland High School, he initially pursued his passion for music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. "I couldn't afford to stay in Boston," he explained, "so I came back and attended the Hartford Conservatory, where I studied jazz guitar."
His love for music and connections with local music communities helped him find his way back to Portland, where he started building what would eventually become a central gathering spot for aspiring artists. He began by teaching at the Hartford Conservatory, eventually joining the faculty there, then expanding his teaching to Trinity College and Loomis Chaffee High School.
The Birth of Connecticut Valley School of Music and Dance
The opportunity to own a business came when Joe and Sophie Salficki, owners of the Connecticut Valley School of Music and Store, prepared for retirement. Kuzminski remembers, “I used to come in here to buy strings and other supplies, and one day, I asked Joe what he was planning to do with the business. We talked and ended up striking a deal.” In time, Dave and his wife Ronna expanded the store into a full-fledged school of music and dance, merging her expertise as a dance teacher with his in music.
Together, the Kuzminskis developed a one-of-a-kind community resource. “I still had acquaintances with the faculty from Hartford Conservatory, so I invited some to start teaching here,” he shared. “It grew into a community where students could learn voice, piano, bass, violin, and more.”
Overcoming Challenges in the Music Business
Running a music business presented financial and logistical challenges, particularly when it came to securing partnerships with major brands like Fender and Roland. Kuzminski explained, “To be a Fender dealer, there’s a significant buy-in. For instance, getting Fender Squires required something like an $8,000 buy-in." The experience led him to scale back and focus on teaching and partnerships, including one with Music and Arts, which provides rental instruments for the school’s students. “Now I just call them up, and they send what we need. It works, and it’s a good relationship,” he said.
Kuzminski’s career in Portland extended beyond music. For over 50 years, he worked in various roles within the town, including as water conservation coordinator and technology coordinator. His role in establishing the Town Tech Educational Partnership in the 1990s helped bridge connections between the town and Portland High School students, offering hands-on experience in public access television production through the “Portland on the Move” program. He later developed a Town Tech course at the high school, covering topics from design to podcast production. “I always tell my students, never underestimate the power of networking,” he said. “Look people in the eye, shake their hand, and you’ll find the resources you need.”
Venturing into Podcasting
In recent years, Kuzminski has expanded into podcasting, creating “Careers You Didn’t Know About: The Future of the Water & Wastewater Industry.” With over 100 episodes, the series showcases career opportunities in the water and wastewater sectors, a field in which he saw growing demand and little awareness. He also hosts interviews with local leaders, providing another avenue for community connection and education.
This year marked a bittersweet milestone, as Kuzminski celebrated 40 years in business without his wife and partner, Ronna, who passed away. “We awarded a scholarship in her name at Portland High School this past June,” he shared, honoring her legacy as both a mother and the head of the dance department.
Advice for the Next Generation
For Kuzminski, his business has always been about community. As he looks to the future, his advice for the next generation is rooted in his own experience: “Put yourself in touch with successful people. Regardless of the field, networking is invaluable, and that institutional knowledge can take you far.”
The Connecticut Valley School of Music and Dance remains a vibrant hub on Main Street, continuing to grow, evolve, and inspire—just as it has for over four decades under Kuzminski’s dedication.
Dave Kuzminski
D
ave Kuzminski, a lifelong resident of Portland, has spent his life fostering community and learning through music. As the owner of the Connecticut Valley School of Music and Dance, located at 226 Main Street, Kuzminski has spent over 40 years nurturing young musicians and dancers in a community-