Music Lessons in Southeast Magnolia, WA

Instruments: Saxophone

Tracy Knoop, Kareem Kandi, Steve Treseler, Dr. Bob Miller as well as NYC based saxophonist Braxton Cook. I am fortunate enough to have been able to play on live radio for a total of 5x as a student at PLU with the Faculty Jazz group and alongside my band 322 which is still going strong. Along with playing in 322, I do work with some producers diving into more genres that incorporate jazz such as some lofi hip-hop and funk. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Mandolin Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle

I have been teaching violin for 30 years, starting as a bluegrass and Irish fiddle teacher in a folk music store run by a family of performers who were related to the von Trapps of The Sound of Musicfame. Since then, I have tried to continually grow as a performer, musician, and teacher. I have collected a vast amount of muic and resource materials along the way, so I am able to meet each student's needs--from child-friendly beginning repertoire, holiday music, fiddle tunes and jazz standards, to concertos and orchestral excerpts for youth and college orchestra auditions and beyond! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have experience with several formal guitar training approaches that I have studied personally as well as analyzed at University. I am able to bring the best aspects of these methods, along with my own insights to help individual students, taking into account the needs of each unique student. Especially with beginner students, I usually use some of my own exercises and reading sheets. For me, thinking about visual coordination is important, so I always want to gauge students note reading skills. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar

My teaching style is structured primarily on learning to play by ear with light theory instruction.  For advanced and more serious students, I am a huge theory nerd and I really enjoy teaching a more technical approach as well. My philosophy is to improve a student's skills by nurturing each person's specific interest and goals.  I do not find it effective to try and force my own taste in music on my students, although I do make suggestions based on skills a student is trying to acquire. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I have 10,000+ hours of teaching experience, and have been an active orchestral clarinetist for the past 15 years. I also play chamber music in various ensembles, and occasionally collaborate in world music settings such as flamenco and Latin music. My students get a solid classical foundation from me, which allows them to freely explore whatever musical style interests them. Most of my students participate in extra-curricular musical ensembles, and many of them go on to major in music in college. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

My teaching method is tailored to the desired goal of the student. I commonly employ classical fundamentals, which provide the student with tools needed to play the instrument. These fundamentals include: long-tones (for tone production), scales (for technique), overtone series (for the low/high range of the instrument) and reading music. From here, each lesson is modified to the particular student's goals, whether that is improvisation, playing jazz, performing classical literature, exploring experimental music, etc. Read More