Piano Lessons in Happy Valley, OR

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Fiddle

Kathleen's teaching style seeks to draw out what is most interesting to students and build from there. Drawing from the Suzuki, Galamian, and Flesch methods, she encourages students to follow their interests to learn how it all fits together. She feels that the joy of learning music is contagious and looks for ways to get students plugged into local performing groups as well as helping the whole family find ways to play together. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele

My teaching experience began in 2008 when I started tutoring and assisting a choir director at a school in Boston, MA. I worked there throughout my schooling and transitioned to private lessons after graduating in 2011. I also started a program called Sing Play Rise which offered free private tuition for students who joined the choir. I then moved back home to be with family and have been teaching in the PDX area at various schools since then. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I feel that, like my piano teachers always said, practice does in fact make perfet. It's amazing what can happen with even a 1/2 hour every other day when it comes to weekly lessons. I tend to assign more, but my point is that it's extremely important to practice! Also, what helped students the most - across the board - was theory workbooks, especially when it came to composition. Getting students interested in composing lends way to their completion rate when it came to homework too! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Bass Guitar

For beginning students I start with the basics of music theory, and demonstrating how this theory is used in rock n' roll, blues, and classical depending on what the student is interested. for intermediate students I aim to build upon their knowledge and help them discover more music, and build a greater understanding of music theory. For advanced students I focus on guiding their studies to a greater level through analysis of historically great pieces, the study of harmony, and how to capture and retain the emotional and mental intrigue of the audience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

I've been a professional music educator for over 15 years, teaching students from elementary school age to those in retirement. I love music and I love sharing it with others through performing and teaching. Watching my students' musical worlds expand is what I love best about this profession. I've played in just about every type of musical situation from orchestra, band, chamber music, and solo classical recitals to jazz bands, singer/songwriter, musical theater, world music, and avant-garde settings. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Ukulele Recorder

My teaching approach is tailored to the interests and goals of each student, but always includes fundamentals such as scales, strength-building exercises, rudiments of theory, and ear training. Some of the method books I've used include the Faber "Piano Adventures" series, Alfred and Bastien series, and Hanon's The Virtuoso Pianist, among others. I always supplement these materials with arrangements and transcriptions of popular songs and classical pieces, along with original exercises designed to teach specific styles and techniques. Read More