Music Lessons in Happy Valley, OR

Instruments: Piano

For those students who are children and are just starting out, I'll have them work through a lesson book that I find fit for them so they can grasp the fundamentals. Once they establish the fundamentals, I'll assign them solo repertoire so they can begin learning their own pieces. For older students, I'll find out what they are interested in learning and go from there. Some examples of a main focus for piano lessons may be to learn a specific genre of music, learn how to compose original music, or improve their technique in an existing realm of music. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

Throughout my entire life I have possessed a great amount of zeal and love for music, and helping others develop their own relationship with music brings me great joy. I started playing at age 8 and began gigging professionally at age 14. From hardcore punk bands to symphony orchestras, jazz groups to indie rock bands, freely improvised avant-garde music to ska bands, Ive performed in a vast array of musical settings and I still love finding new performing experiences every day! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My students describe me as patient, fun, understanding, and challenging. :) For the shy ones, I like to get to know them, and see what I can do to get through to them and get them to open up to music. For the adventurous one, I dare them to go on adventures with me. For the self-critical ones, I become their voice of encouragement and love. For the over-confident ones, I open their eyes to more challenges that will demand more of themselves. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet French Horn Tuba

I have been teaching since high school when I was the only trumpet in our high school band and the younger middle school families wanted to get their child lessons but didn't have the money or be able to get them to a music school to help them, so I would teach them after school. Through my college life I have continued to teach those kids and more and even had one of my kids go off to state jazz. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students (children) I use the Piano Adventures books by Faber also with a notespeller and possibly some Hanon exercises. For beginner adults I use the adult beginner Piano Adventures, notespeller, and Hanon. So for any student there is a combination of music theory, finger exercises, and learning how to play and enjoy piano music. Once my student becomes more advanced I will encourage them to play short classical pieces such as a waltz or prelude, or a piece of music of their choice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin

There are so many ways to approach music - via reading music, improvising, composing, playing by ear, and I make sure to include them all over the course of my lessons with students. I encourage students to bring songs that they are interested in learning, and also provide plenty of material to get them on their way to undersanding how to navigate both their instrument, and music. I usually use the Hal Leonard method for guitar students learning to read, and the Faber piano method for paino students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Ukulele Recorder

In 2011, Chuck moved to Portland, Oregon from Gainesville, Florida, where he was a staple of the music teaching and performing community for more than 25 years. Originally from Chicago, Chuck completed his BA in Music History and a Masters of Music (MM) at the University of Florida. Chuck began piano lessons at age 12 at a time when The Beatles caught his attention. His first attempt at composing was actually improvising melodies over the ending chords to "Hey Jude". Read More