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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: 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 Voice
I use the Faber Faber Piano Adventures series, and I also use the Music Tree as well. I enjoy other methods but mostly use them as supplementary material. Read More
Instruments: Voice Violin
For all beginner students, I begin with the Essential Elements books. Once fingering and bowing have been introduced, I begin incorporating level-appropriate scales. These etudes and scales are vital for learning the technique necessary for more advanced pieces. Once the student has completed the first Essential Elements book, we then select a piece for them to play, and keep this as our main focus while continuing to work on scales and etudes. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
I enjoy teaching and watching musicians grow in their abilities. I like to give a solid base for a beginning musician to build upon while keeping lessons fun and interesting. Patience is the key, because I remember when I started playing and the more I practiced the better I became. I like to take our time and practice every exercise slowing until we become confident and then we will add some speed. Read More
Instruments: Cello
Learning to play the cello is hard work, but it is fun work! Playing music solo or in a group setting is a unique experience. All my students play chamber music along with their private lessons. I encourage my students to participate in our semi-annual recitals. Recitals are an important milestone to mark progress and share the gift of music with listeners. I love working with my students to find their own creativity in music. Read More
Instruments: Guitar
I've been teaching guitar since I was in high school. I love the process of helping individuals develop their own musical talent and skill and make the connections that unlock their creativity. Teaching gives me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself; something that can be an enriching and incredibly important part of someone's life. I'm driven by the desire to inspire my students, and in return also be inspired by them. Read More
Instruments: Clarinet
I have a set methodology that is flexible enough to cater to each individual student. We learn exercises for basic technique, followed by scales and arpeggios, then we work from a method book to address technique issues specific to clarinet. After that, we work on music such as etudes, solos, and ensemble parts for band or orchestra. I also enjoy helping students with pop and jazz pieces that they enjoy, so that they have variety in their practice and become well rounded musicians and can play many styles. 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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