Piano Lessons in Issaquah, WA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin

I teach for several different schools in the Seattle area in addition to Musika. I've taught mandolin to an elderly woman who wanted to sing German folk songs to her grandkids, I've taught piano and ukulele to kindergartners, I've helped teenagers write their own songs and perform them to peers, and I've helped dads in their thirties to relive the glory days of Shoegaze and Grunge. With all of these students, I've helped them love the subtle, intricate, surprising parts of music and how to not only play music, but have their life enriched by it and share that with others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I feel each of my students are unique. I love watching my students' level of musical understanding progress. I love seeing the dedication and determination begin to heighten as the lessons progress. Within each lesson I point out areas that need to be worked on as well as areas of improvement. Seeing one's progress is the most important element to me for my students. Therefore, I like to record my students quarterly for a few minutes within a lesson to show the mass amounts of improvement they will accomplish. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Clarinet

Often lesson styles are easy going to serve the interests of beginning students, and more demanding for advanced students. Libby writes out lesson plans for all her students according to what she and the student think is appropriate for the student's present acheivement. Libby presents sections on rhythm, tone, reeds-how to adjust them, how to make them etc--she finds music that she thinks the student will like after discussing it with the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

For younger students who are beginning, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. This book has great materials for setting up the violin and bow hold, reading notes, rhythm and other musical markings, and introducing basic music theory such as time and key signatures. Also, this book incorporates the foundation of all musical learning, scales and arpeggios, into fun exercises that are enjoyable for every student.For older students who have more experience, I have a range of etudes from Sevcik to Kreutzer that can futher develop and solidify a good foundation of technique.For musical training, I use solo repertoire from Suzuki and other sources that are appropriate for each student's level so that he/she can be healthily challenged musically and technically while feeling accomplished during performances. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

For my younger students I usually start with major and minor scales tied in with simple to challenging etudes. I do not have a specific book that I work out of, though if the student has one that they work out of I would be happy to accommodate. For adults I usually have the same approach, but we will focus more on a specific genre or style that they may want to emulate. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Double Bass Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am in my late 40's, married, and the father of a crazy 9-year-old daughter. I started studying music on piano at the age of five with my mother (also a musician). I move from piano to alto sax, and continued to play it through to college, later switching to tenor. At age twelve, I started playing electric bass and have continued up to the present day. I started on acoustic bass at fifteen, and guitar when I was 30 years old. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For beginning students, we start with simple scales, fingering patterns, short melodies, and based on that student’s needs and learning style, I decide which lesson plan to use (Suzuki, Hal Leonard, etc.). I use Tonal Harmony textbook excerpts to help with advanced theory lessons. More advanced singers receive more training in classical and musical theater technique. My philosophy is that every singer should be trained classically first. Early art songs and arias really help students focus on breath control, vowel shape, using their passagio, and expressive singing. Read More