Music Lessons in Olalla, WA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Djembe

I love teaching percussion and I am interested in music of many cultures. I specialize in drum set, African drumming, keyboard percussion, and orchestral percussion. I also play steel drums and guitar. I have performed with numerous professional orchestras including the Tacoma, Federal Way, Tucson, Phoenix, and Juneau symphonies and was the principal percussionist and timpanist for the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra in Arizona. I have a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance with a minor in Ethnomusicology. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Orchestral Percussion Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching in high school, working with elementary and middle school students. Through this experience, I discovered my passion for helping others discover music. In my first full-time teaching position, I was able to to lead the Greenland (AR) High School band to the ASBOA Sweepstakes Award, the highest honor for a school band in that state. Additionally, many of my students were selected to honor bands and several received college scholarships. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice French Horn Music

In the same genre, I have taught and coached pianists and pit players to adopt the nuances of musical theatre music. In the classical world, I have coached chamber music, solo and group improvisation, jazz combos, choral ensembles, solo vocalists, and piano soloists. When I was an undergraduate, I took courses in choral, woodwind, string, percussion, and brass pedagogy. I find teaching music to be an act of listening deeply and responding from my gut, my experience, and my heart. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I am happy to curate lesson plans and materials to fit the student. If a student is truly a beginner I believe that starting with fundamentals such as simple major and minor scales is crucial before moving into any type of performance preparation. I believe it is important to incorporate students passions into practice as well, and as such I will encourage students to bring specific songs or works that they aim to learn. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Each student has a unique physical, mental, creative andcognitive makeup, and I recommend solutions to them whichI consider good investments in healthy and versatile technique. I value your time. We do not always have the time to practice a great deal, but if I can help you do something valuable with that time, thats what I strive for. I want you to leave every lesson either with more experience or knowledge you wont forget. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Thus, I find it great to set the curriculum aside for part of the lesson, either to allow the student some time to show me what else they've been working on, listening to, watching, thinking about, or perhaps to just jam and have fun. I also expect students to make progress on their own between lessons, though I understand fully from my teaching experience that the amount of progress I can expect is different for each student. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

I believe that this takes a very personal and trusting relationship between student and teacher. I feel that my responsibility is to decipher the student's most natural way to absorb information and to play into that strength. I am also accountable for refining the student's natural abilities while fostering emerging creativity in order to hone a balanced and effective musical person. The student will progress to have a firm knowledge of understanding, composing, communicating, and performing music. Read More