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24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Music lessons in Seattle . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Saxophone Flute Shakuhachi Conga
I orient every lesson plan to each student as an individual.I focus on making learning music fun and challenging. I have prepared many students for both High School and college auditions.I also conduct student workshop small bands where students learn how to play and cooperate in a small group setting.Private lessons are based on what the student wants and needs to learn depending on their situation.I am very comfortable teaching to the foundations of music including: reading, counting. rhythms, musical interpretation,playing in tune, sound production, etc. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Orchestral Percussion Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I began teaching in high school, working with elementary and middle school students. Through this experience, I discovered my passion for helping others discover music. In my first full-time teaching position, I was able to to lead the Greenland (AR) High School band to the ASBOA Sweepstakes Award, the highest honor for a school band in that state. Additionally, many of my students were selected to honor bands and several received college scholarships. Read More
Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba
Below is a short list of positions that I have held over the last 20 years. I have worked with students grades 3 through 12 in a variety of styles and setting. Student Equity Director & Introductory Instrumental Teacher - Seattle JazzED (www.seattlejazzed.org) 2015 - Present Certified Music Teacher (California and Washington) Music Teacher - Virgil Middle School (Los Angeles, Ca) 2010 - 2015 Asst. Director and Coordinator- Los Angeles Unified School District Honor Marching Band - 1997 - 2015 Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I like working with students in a way where our love of music is the center of our attention, as such musicality is always the goal. For beginner students who’d like to sight-read, I like to start with the Alfred Modern Guitar Method 1 and supplement that with the Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method, Grade 1, or Frederick Noad’s Solo Guitar 1 if we’re learning classical guitar. Alternatively, if the student wishes to take a route in which he/she does not sight-read musical notation, I like to start with basic picking technique, proper guitar positioning, reading tabs and chord diagrams. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Clarinet
My teaching experienceis is this---I started teaching in High School, and taught at Hoboken School of the Arts for a while, 5years at Highline School District teaching music, 5years at Federal Way Schools teaching music. 7 years in Seattle teaching Clarinet Flute and Piano in the Central District, and at Washington Middle School (gifted students) I have happily taught for Musika for 9 years= clarinet flute, and piano. I taught for 10 years in the view ridge neighborhood while I was getting my degree at college. Read More
Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion
For my beginning drum students, I use Mark Wessels "A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum and Drum Set", Rod Morganstein's "drum set musician", and Mitchell Peters' "Developing Dexterity". For students that have a good grasp of the basics, I work through material that caters to their specific interests (jazz, rock, latin, West-African, orchestral/school band, or marching percussion). I also write original etudes for my students based on their needs and include a midi accompaniment to motivate students to work on their assigned material. Read More
Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet
I am an experienced instructor who has worked with students of all ages and levels. Teaching provides me with the opportunity to spread my knowledge of the field, as well as have the chance to learn something that I may not have known about. I graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in May 2018, and since then have been refining my curriculum and playing all throughout Seattle with a wide variety of bands. Read More
Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I have been gigging since high school when I used to lead worship (acoustic guitar/vocals) for several county wide events that drew hundreds of students from youth groups that crossed denominational backgrounds. During that time (late high school, early college) I also performed on the alto saxophone at a inner city youth group in the gospel/funk/R&B style. There was no music. Everything was by ear and I played most often in the keys of F#, B, C#, E, G and D. The leader said I could show up anytime, even in the middle of the set, open my case and walk on stage. It was a very unique experience that fit the carefree part of my personality.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Saxophonists generally have a societal expectation to be more versatile than any other instrument. By being more versatile I mean we are expected to play both classical and jazz with equal conviction and double on flute and clarinet within classical and jazz with equal conviction. This is very difficult. The saxophone is not part of the orchestra so we frequently get a wide array of opportunities which requires the performer to be versatile in ability and equipment set up.
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Last year at Parkhill Junior High in Richardson ISD, Dallas, TX; I had one student win the first alto chair in the all-region wind ensemble
Another student (8th grade) placed second in the district wide concerto competition
I have had 3-5 other students make the all region bands as well in the last year.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Manhattan Music competition Gold medal
Protege Concerto Competition First Prize
Being selected as 1 of 2 top saxophonists in the University of North Texas concerto competition 3 years in a row
Being able to tour around the world as a musician aboard Cunard and Holland America ships
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My grandfather led his jazz band "Fred Kelley and the Saratogans" in the mid 1930's performing alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute and clarinet.
My mother loved jazz and my uncle is an incredible jazz pianist with a natural ear and dexterity for performance.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
see answers in "My Teaching Style"
Becoming aware of our emotions and physical body during practice is essential to managing our sentiments and ultimately how we feel about playing.
When will I start to see results?
If you follow instruction and practice techniques you should see results immediately, but at the very least within 4 lessons. It really depends on the sentiment and focus that someone exudes during their practice sessions.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My first saxophone teacher was Dr. Roger Eckers (Eastman) who is an incredible musician, jazz player and woodwind doubler. He was my band director and performed on the weekends with his groups. My jazz band director was Rich Thompson who is still the drum set professor at the Eastman School of Music.
Dr. Steven Mauk (Ithaca), Dr. Lin (Eastman), Dr. Eric Nestler (University of North Texas) and Nancy Boone are other teachers that have inspired me.
24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Music lessons in Seattle to students of all ages and abilities.
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