About
Over twenty years of playing all my taught instruments has shown me there is not one specific way to teach music to every person, so I change my curriculum for every student and completely customize what you learn to how you learn, and what you're interested in!
I started teaching music lessons in after school programs when I was eleven and fell totally in love. I continued to do this for many years driving to neighboring towns, volunteering at church youth groups and local Boys and Girls Club all around my hometown.
In Portland I've been gigging, playing on records, recording music for films, and volunteering every week at Nonprofit Music Schools around town to help underprivileged kids, and expose them to the joy of music. Give me a call and we can talk about what you're interested in, and get lessons started.
I'm fairly laid back, and teach from a number of different texts depending on the interests of the student. Each student is different, and I vary instruction accordingly. I have a lot of experience songwriting, composing, and playing as a sideman in groups on different instruments. I've been part of bands led by myself and been hired by other people, as well as composing for different groups of instruments from trios to full orchestras.
If there is interest, I can also provide worksheets based on the curriculum and standards held by the University of Oregon, and Portland State University.
Highlights
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Firstly we talk about experience, intrests and aspirations - following that we'll create a set of short term and long term goals and adjust the curriculum based upon those - sometimes we're able to have lessons based on one specific goal: a wedding song, nailing a band audition, getting your sight-reading up to speed before a music school audition - and then we put everything together and start chipping away.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I've been teaching for almost fifteen years, I've studied Music Education, Composition, and Jazz Performance Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, and Portland State University, and have lived as a professional musician for ten years, supporting myself entirely through music.
In Portland I've been gigging, playing on records, recording music for films, and volunteering every week at Nonprofit Music Schools around town to help underprivileged kids, and expose them to the joy of music. Give me a call and we can talk about what you're interested in, and get lessons started.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I don't typically have a standard price. I adjust lessons based on availability and family size,
How did you get started teaching?
I got started at thirteen when I made an afterschool rockband program at my rural middle school, and then I started directing the middle school choir when I was in high school. This transferred directly into my going to music school, and getting a scholarship for Vocal Performance and Music Education and Choral Direction, which then led me to all my other loves of composition, and performing!
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My girlfriend and housemate recently took me to see one of my absolute favorite comedians, and I couldn't have been more excited or fulfilled.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I believe that the first thing to think about with a teacher is the actual experience of the teacher, their flexibility, and their background. Any teacher worth their salt should be able to teach more than one instrument because of the fluidity of the language of music - the rules that apply to a bass also apply to a ukulele, and a good teacher should be able to demonstrate that fact, and remove the fogginess surrounding what certain musicians do. A teacher able to do this, will then be able to teach music that they don't personally know, increasing their ability to be flexibile.