Music Lessons in Banks, OR

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I am an active musician based in the Portland metropolitan area who is hired regularly to perform for: jazz and cover bands, weddings, corporate events, musicals, and studio sessions. I also lead and write music for my own band. I attended Mount Hood Community College and Portland State University where I graduated with a B.S. in biology and in jazz studies. These experiences have allowed me to become well versed in many genres. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I am passionate about working with people of all ages, and helping them grow as musicians and develop a lifelong love of music.  After I graduated college in 2004, I went on to teach music in Wisconsin, Hawaii, and now Washington. I have taught voice lessons to a wide range of students of different ages and abilities, and have also taught beginning piano lessons. Through music I have performed across the United States in places such as the Kennedy Center.  I have also toured Europe twice as part of different choral ensembles, and sung in the most amazing cathedrals and castles. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I can make my lessons fun for all levels of players, and my students will see their skills develop quickly in the direction that THEY want to go. If a student is unsure where they see themselves going as a musician, that is perfectly ok too! When my students have yet to develop a library of music they like and don't have a sense of what they want to play I help them figure these things out which is extremely rewarding for the both of us. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele

I love teaching! I work hard for my students and we have a lot of fun! I have taught music since 2011 after I graduated from Berklee College of Music with a bachelor's in professional music/music ed. I also graduated with a masters of vocal performance in 2023 from Western Oregon University. Both schools focused on popular music and jazz but I am familiar with light classical repertoire and music theater. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like the aphorism by British guitarist and educator Robert Fripp "We begin where we are". It means to me that at any given point we are all beginners. So if we come with an open mind to explore and learn something new, perhaps what it could be challenging might become easier if we apply the right mind set. So if we are learning a scale...perhaps we begin with a note at the time, then add a second and third, so on, until we have all eight notes or sixteen. - Slow down: If you want to play fast you gotta be able to play it slowly with accuracy and precision. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Synthesizer

I strive to be a balanced teacher that engages the students musical interests while also setting a high (but patient) bar for technical facility and discipline. As someone who has received classical and jazz training, I love to be able to provide students those dual/complimentary curriculum tracks, and, for those students that are eager to dig in to the theory side of things, connect the dots between. Throughout lessons and following up on previous weeks, I always make a point of acknowledging the progress that has been made before honing in on problem areas or the aspects with room for improvement. Read More