Music Lessons in Rainier Beach, WA

Instruments: Violin

Avonlea is a violinist and music educator based in Olympia, Washington. She began her violin instruction at a young age and has become a successful performer of solo, chamber, and orchestral literature. She has been an active violin instructor and performer since 2012. Avonlea received her degree in Music Education from Florida State University, one of the most prestigious universities for music educators. She studied education under well-known contributors to the field such as Clifford Madsen, Alice-Ann Darrow, and Kasia Bugaj, and studied performance under Shannon Thomas. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I am a professional percussionist with a wealth of performing experience in many styles including rock, funk, jazz, classical, and world music.  I have toured throughout the USA performing at distinguished concert venues, festivals, and clubs. Currently I am a very active freelance percussionist in the Pacific Northwest performing with symphony orchestras, rock bands, jazz trios, and others. As an instructor I have been teaching (both privately and in the classroom) without interruption for over twenty years. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My experience teaching begins even before my college days and I have taken students on and off throughout the last 25 years. I enjoy sharing what I know and love being a part of someone else's learning experience. 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: 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: Voice Music

My mission statement is To teach with encouragement, humor, patience, and simple terminology, using applied science and body-awareness, all with the goal of vocal expressiveness. I always create a safe, supportive environment where my students can learn to express themselves through singing effectively. I use the McClosky Technique that employs applied science to help my students to sing with complete relaxation and freedom applied to any style of singing. My philosophy of teaching is based on the fact that working on voice technique is really an athletic process, and follows these principles: o A good voice teacher will let your true voice reveal itself, then follow it wherever it goes with encouragement and well-informed instruction. o A good voice teacher wont jump to conclusions about your voice but listen to how you describe your own experience and take it from there. o A good voice teacher will engage in deep listening with the goal of achieving complete relaxation when singing and speaking. o A good voice teacher will help you learn how to feel your body guiding you. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

My teaching style is interactive and utilizes positive reinforcement to achieve the desired results. I demonstrate often, and I also ask the student to play back to me what I demonstrate. This is particularly helpful with online lessons, as the lag time makes it impossible to play together as we would in person. I also incorporate music theory into my lessons, so students are simultaneously learning to play the instrument and understanding the theory behind what they are playing. Read More