It has been my joy and honor to be a drummer for a little more than twenty years, in settings ranging from broadway musical ensembles, to recording studios, and church services. As an instructor, I try to guide and encourage my students along their journey to reaching their musical goals, whatever they may be, and help them overcome the challenges they meet along the way. I know that there are many reasons why people want to pick up an instrument: to learn a new skill, improve mental health, or to find comfort and community (or, in the case of drums, for the pure catharsis of beating on something with sticks!).

In the end though, music is one of those few things in life that’s an end in itself, something we do for its own sake, not because it gives us some other benefit. No matter where my students’ go on their musical journey, I hope to share that pure joy with them.

I earned my bachelor’s in flute performance at Central Washington University. Since then, I have had several years teaching private lessons, performing with local symphony orchestras, and playing in pit orchestras. One of my favorite things about teaching private lessons is my ability to meet the needs of individual students with a singular-focused attention and effort. I delight in working with students of all ages and instilling music skills and the love for music that lasts a lifetime.

I believe music is a gift from God, and it has brought me a ton of joy of my lifetime of playing and singing. I’m excited to share that joy with students. I want to help kids see the amazing breadth of music ranging from modern songs to pieces from classic composers like Bach, Chopin, and Schumann.

It’s just as important to understand the theory and purpose behind the music we’re playing as it is to actually be able to play it. Combined with a welcoming environment where students are encouraged to try new things, students will approach their music holistically and come to a complete understanding of the material. Cameron graduated summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelors in Composition for Media and is on track to graduate with a Masters in Film Scoring with distinction.

Music is fun! I’ve been playing music most of my life and I’ve never gotten bored with it!
I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and a Masters degree in teaching from Portland State University…Go Viks! I taught middle school band for 13 years and have taught privately for over 20. I currently play, and sing, in various groups in the Portland/ Vancouver area including Solid Brass PDX, Pranksters Big Band and Reprise Choir.
My teaching philosophy is simple. Have fun! There are certain things to master on your instrument, but the process can be enjoyable. The more you learn, the more fun you can have!
See you in the studio. 😀

Musical understanding comes not only from reading notes, but from listening, feeling, and
connecting with others through sound. In my teaching, I combine ear training, music theory, and
improvisation so students can become confident musicians who both understand and feel the
music they play. I encourage curiosity, respect, and creativity in the classroom. Every student
learns differently, and I adapt my approach to meet them where they are, whether they are
pursuing music professionally or simply for joy.

With over a decade of professional experience as a performing and studio musician and music
educator, I offer a wealth of knowledge to my students. I am a multi-instrumentalist proficient in
various genres, including Latin, R&B, rock, bossanova, folk, contemporary music, and a touch of
jazz. Drawing from my diverse background in live and studio work, I provide students with a
well-rounded musical education tailored to their needs. As a fluent bilingual speaker of Spanish
and English, I can connect with a broader audience of students. My calm demeanor, patience,
and attentiveness create a supportive learning environment where students can confidently
grow and enjoy their musical progression.

I am committed to helping students of all ages achieve their musical goals by incorporating a wide variety of practices into one integrated curriculum. By working on essential skills, exercises, music theory concepts, a variety of songs from the students’ choosing, and regular performances, my goal is to help individuals become not just confident guitar players, but confident musicians. Since graduating with a degree in music business in 2015 I’ve spent the past 8 years in various capacities of music education and performance.

Teacher Grace loves helping her students discover their love of music by fostering an environment of inclusivity, creativity, and positivity. She is passionate about building strong musical foundations to set students up for success, whatever that may look like on their musical journey. Whether studying voice or piano with her, you can expect an encouraging and playful atmosphere, effective communication, and skilled technical instruction. Grace specializes in classical voice but also enjoys teaching musical theater, jazz, folk and pop. As a professional singer, Grace has extensive stage experience and has performed with many companies both locally and across the country. One of her favorite parts of teaching is helping students grow in confidence as both musicians and as people.

Music and art have been integral to humanity for tens of thousands of years. Connecting with one’s own creativity is something that develops self-expression and confidence that will stick with them throughout their lives.

Teacher Isabella believes in fostering a lesson environment that inspires curiosity surrounding learning an instrument and growing technical skills. She believes in teaching foundational music knowledge in a way that is engaging and interactive for the student, whether that be drumming, improvisation, or songwriting. It is important to her that students are expressing themselves through their “musicking”, rather than only knowing how to play their instrument. Encouraging musicians to be fearless in their authenticity is what inspires Teacher Isabella to be a mentor to those on their artistic journeys.

I have been playing drums for 67 years, 50 of those professionally. I’ve been teaching for 21 years. What I try to discover from the student is passion. What they are passionate about, what do they really, REALLY want to do?

Not everyone is a drummer. If it’s music, but not drums, then what instruments DO interest them. That’s then when we discuss transferring to another instrument. Not everyone is a musician. If it’s not music, then what is it? It’s important for a life worth living to find the thing that you’re passionate about.

Julia is a passionate and versatile music educator who teaches piano, voice, guitar, trumpet, and ukulele. She brings a lifelong love of music to every lesson, creating a supportive and inspiring environment for her students.

Expression, discovery, authenticity. Student leads the way, each context accompanied by applicable suggestion. With sincerity of beginner’s mind, the path proceeds in beautiful simplicity.

Perspectives on rock, pop, jazz, classical, traditional, blues, hip hop, electronic & experimental music. Emphasis on improvisation and songwriting.

Primary instrument guitar (bass, ukulele); secondary instrument digital production; tertiary instruments keyboard, drums. Also love to sing 🙂

Learning music is like learning another language: there’s reading, writing, and a new vocabulary. And then there’s the spoken part—how to play the instrument. My job as a teacher is to help students make music, not just play their instruments. Along with reading, I stress fundamental skills like rhythm, pitch, tempo, scales, dynamics, and articulation, and how those skills apply to each instrument. I encourage students to approach music with patience, practice, a willingness to experiment, and to have fun. My hope is that all students become able to express their feelings through sound.

I’ve played trombone for about 45 years, and I’ve taught for many of those years. My performance experience covers many different groups—orchestras, shows, chamber groups, concert bands, and jazz bands. I enjoy teaching beginners of all band instruments, as well as intermediate to advanced low brass students (trombone, euphonium, baritone, tuba, bass trumpet).

I believe learning music should be creative and fun. My goal is to help students build both technical skill and a love for their craft while exploring the kind of music that inspires them. Whether we’re working on piano, composition, jazz, or improvisation, I like to provide structure for students to develop their own curiosity and understand how music works “under the hood”. I have a Master’s in Screen Scoring and a Bachelor’s in Music Composition from the University of Southern California, and as a professional video game and film composer, I enjoy collaborating with my students to discover their unique place within the broader story of music.

Growing up there was never a time when music did not play a significant part in my life. I was raised listening to everything from Gene Autry to Van Cliburn.

I remember always wanting to take music lessons. Fortunately for me my mother was always happy to indulge me.

Throughout my life I’ve studied, violin, piano, guitar, mandolin, and percussion. The experiences only furthered my love for music. Ultimately these studies provided me the opportunity to perform as a musician in various ways: as a solo artist, as a member of a variety of musical groups, and as a session studio musician. I have also performed with several symphony orchestras and I served my country as a member of the United States Marine Corps Band.

Now as a music teacher I want to pass along to my students the magic in music. Not just have them learn how to play an instrument, but to have them experience the joy it can bring to their lives.

I believe that learning music should be a fun and enjoyable process for every student that comes through the door seeking to learn how to play an instrument. My goal is to create a learning environment where a student can feel free to ask questions (No question is a bad question!), experiment with and explore the why’s of music, and also learn songs that they will enjoy playing over and over. The greatest growth comes when students are invested in their own learning, and through the collaboration of the teacher, student, and parent, we can explore and unlock the student’s inner passion for, and love of, music.

Zac is the Music Department Leader at Opus he specializes in violin and viola.

Music is one of the few subjects where students are actively involved in their learning. During my lessons, students are singing, moving, and playing their instrument as much as possible. By facilitating lessons in this way, we’re able to create a hands-on, active learning experience.