About
I offer real experience playing across genres in the PNW. This summer alone I played over 100 gigs with genres varying from hiphop, jazz, blues, funk, and pop. I am a full time musician, music student, and music teacher. This is what I do.
Music is a common language regardless of where you're at in the world. If you were to play 'Autumn Leaves' somewhere in France, someone in a group of a thousand people would hop on the B secion and maybe take a solo. You've never met them, they speak a different language than you, and they grew up half way around the world; but you're still jammin on some II-V-Is. Basically I enjoy getting to know people, and the best way I know how is by playing with them.
Reviews
Katy V.
Benaiah M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First lesson is typically a review. I like to see where people are at in the process and ask how they got there. Typical questions are:
How long have you played?
What inspired you to start playing?
What inspires you to keep going?
What is your goal with playing?
What kind of music do you like to play?
(How do you enjoy learning?)
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have 15 years playing experience and currently perform with over a dozen groups in the greater Portland area. I am a full time musician.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Typically my prices are as follows:
$30/half hour
$40/hour
Prices vary depending on travel, but not much.
How did you get started teaching?
In my later High School days I was asked to teach a peer in band. I was awful! Poor girl probably learned nothing but how to nod all the way through a lesson. Anyway, it's all different now. I've been teaching students for 8 years and it's much more productive than it used to be.
What types of students have you worked with?
My youngest was four and my oldest was 53 or so. Currently I have an 18 year old, a 19 year old, a 21 year old, and two 22 year olds. My 21 year old is a music student at PSU, and the rest are more hobbyists. I enjoy teaching all of them.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I was in a vocal lesson with my roomate (one of the 22 year olds) and saw the moment he heard his voice make a sound he liked. He got all excited and his eyes got big. The rest of the lesson was butter (smooth).
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I suggest coming into a lesson with a goal. What do you want to accomplish with your playing? Do you want a way to relieve stress from work? A channel for exploration of art? To learn the skills to develop a career? The teacher who can you show you how to achieve your goal is the one you want.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
- What are your goals with playing music?
- Who is a person you model your playing off of?
- What do you enjoy most about playing music?
- What pieces or songs are you interested in learning?