Excellence in Language, Art, Culinary Skills & Wellness Instruction - Personalized tutoring and educational programs - in the Greater Boston area. Welcome! Each program is thoughtfully tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals or groups, ensuring a productive and enriching learning experience. I am committed to providing exceptional educational services at competitive rates, making learning both accessible and enjoyable. For more information or to book a session, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

“My husband and I took a variety of Italian cooking classes with Maria Conte. At the time, we had no cooking experience, and were so frightened to even crack an egg. Maria has been very patient and encouraging, removed our fears and truly changed our lives as my husband and I enjoy preparing delicious meals for family and friends in our new kitchen. It was wonderful and fun learning how to make handmade pasta, a variety of pasta sauces, risotto dishes, stuffed vegetables, bean soups, cannoli, tiramisù e biscotti to name a few. Nevertheless, Maria can help you design a fabulous menu from antipasto to dessert for some special get together. We highly recommend Maria Conte.”

“A complete beginner in Italian, I had the pleasure of studying Italian I and II in private lessons with Maria Conte. Maria is a highly experienced and enthusiastic instructor committed to providing an optimal language and cultural learning experience for her students. She is flexible, appreciative, and always encouraging. I recommend Maria Conte highly.”

I am a student of Italian descent who was enrolled in Maria Conte’s 

“Easy Italian for Travelers I” course in the spring of 2024.  I do not speak Italian. That fall, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Italy.  (I am now enrolled in part II of the same course.)  I found that what I had learned from Maria in the Italian I class was extremely helpful in Italy.  Yes, the basics were helpful–the vocabulary, the commonly used phrases, the information needed for touristy places such as restaurants, hotels, public transportation–but I had an unusual experience which truly showed me the value of what I had learned in this class.  One of my elderly friends was lost and missing for several hours in Rome.  I found I was able to use  my “beginner’s” knowledge of Italian to obtain assistance from guards, police, pedestrians, and taxis, etc. to find my friend.  I will forever be  glad I took this course!

Because of this trip, I missed enrolling in part II of the course last fall.  As I said, I am taking it now, but it has been a year since I took part I.  So I used Maria’s textbook, “Easy Italian for Travelers I” to review.  It has been extremely helpful and I don’t think I could have gone on to Italian II without it.  The book is so organized, thorough, and easy to understand, which is a reflection of the way Maria actually teaches the course. She is very good at simple explanations and immersing the class in actual usage of Italian instead of English.  In short she makes it fun!  I would highly recommend her courses and her books.

Thank you,

Ninette Pantano Cummings