Guitar Lessons in Rhododendron, OR

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I am a passionate and driven teacher whose focus is always on my students' musical goals and development. I focus on roots American styles: the blues, early rock, bluegrass, country, folk, and jazz. I graduated with a degree in Guitar Performance from Lewis Clark College, where I studied performance under renowned Portlandguitarist Dan Balmer and music theory under Portland pianist Susan Smith. Authentic and time-honored musical styles are my emphasis and serve as the foundations upon which my performances and lessons are based. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have studied piano privately for almost 10 years. My first experience teaching piano was in high-school, when I taught after school lessons. Since then I've had the opportunity to absorb the teaching methods of many excellent instructors. My teaching approach continues to be influenced by these teachers. For example, I have found that my classical training has helped me approach all genres and styles of music. As I continue to teach and learn in different musical territories, I constantly return to the fundamentals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I will always prefer to have hour-long lessons with my students. I feel this length of time gives both the student and the teacher the best chance of having a successful lesson each time they meet. Some may say its a high bar to meet for every lesson, every week, but I accept nothing less from myself and hold high expectations for my students in the hopes they meet them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Each student is at a different level, and therefore requires different teaching methods. I like to implement the Hanon exercises for scales and warm-ups, also focusing on things like scales and arpeggios. For the guitar, I like to incorporate these concepts with chordal exercises as well, such as playing progressions to let the student's fingers grow accustomed to their forms. I then let the student tell me what his or her focus is, such as theoretical, classical, or popular. 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 Voice Saxophone Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My entire life, I have been dedicated to the study of music. From my early childhood education to present day gigs and songwriting, music has always been a centerpiece of my life. I have performed all around the world and am incredibly grateful for the learning experiences I have been blessed with. Around age 11 was when I first played the saxophone in jazz band, and when we started learning about chord progressions and improvising, that's what really cemented my love and study of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Ukulele Recorder

As a soloist he's played classical music, blues, jazz, and original compositions. Before devoting himself to music full time, he worked for 8 years as a radio announcer on WUFT-FM Gainesville hosting shows such as "Nothing but the Blues", "Montage" (acoustic jazz), and "Musica Antiqua" (Renaissance and Medieval).  He currently hosts a jazz radio show called "Hard Choices" which airs on Saturdays at 11 a.m. on KMHD 89.1 FM in Portland, OR. Read More