I majored in Music and Classical Guitar Performance – studies included Music Theory, Performance, Composition, Sight Singing, Computers and Music, and Music of the Western World. I have been teaching guitar and theory since 2002, but as a volunteer minister, I have been teaching most my life. I have a love for people and different cultures so I have been learning Romanian for the past 6yr in order to reach out to the Romanian population in Portland. I truly like taking a personal interest in students, and seeing them progress. I strive to share my passion for music. I believe that if you make a creative lesson plan that excites their imagination you will be astounded by what they are capable of learning.

I knew I wanted to be a professional guitar player from the first time I picked up an electric guitar over 14 years ago. I started taking private lessons as soon as I got my first guitar, and without the crucial guidance and encouragement I received early on I certainly would not be the guitarist I am today, and that old guitar might even be collecting dust in a closet somewhere. Since I began teaching 8 years ago my goal has been to provide that same encouragement to beginning students and to help them realize that no matter what their ambitions are, they can be achieved with enough practice and they can have fun along the way!

When I started high school I realized there was a lot more to playing guitar than the hard rock and blues songs I had been learning up until then, so I enrolled in a music theory class, joined my school's jazz band and began taking classical guitar lessons at the University of Wyoming. After high school I accepted academic and music scholarships to...

Chuck recently moved to Portland, Oregon from Gainesville, Florida, where he was a staple of the music teaching and performing community for more than 25 years. Originally from Chicago, Chuck completed his BA in Music History and Masters of Music (MM) at the University of Florida. Chuck became obsessed with The Beatles when he began piano lessons at age 12. His first attempt at composing was actually improvising melodies over the ending chords to "Hey Jude". Along with playing Beatles tunes Chuck learned classic standards from a set of Reader's Digest Songbooks inherited from his grandmother.

Chuck has performed with classic rock, top 40, funk, R&B, and jazz groups, and has served as an opening act for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and legendary Texas bluesman Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. As a soloist he's played classical music, blues, jazz, and original compositions. Before devoting himself to music full time, he worked for 8 years as a radio announcer on WUFT-FM...

Don brings over 33 years of teaching experience in Piano, Voice, and Guitar. His relaxed and humorous approach to music encourages students to embrace a love for the musical art.

With 2 American Idol finalists to his credit, along with numerous students who have gone on to professional careers in theater, television, and film. He also has extensive experience as Musical Director for over 40 theatrical productions in the past 15 years.

He has received an award in Southern California for Outstanding Musical Direction in a theatrical production of The King and I. He is currently the vocal coach for Magenta Theater in Vancouver, WA.

He has traveled the US with an international singing group, been a choral director in various capacities for over 40 years, and worked as a recording studio engineer.

Don strives to bring out the best in each student. Whether a beginner, intermediate, or advanced student, Don will expand your musical horizon and styles to new levels.

Mikael was born and raised in the Willamette Valley. He started playing piano at 6 years old, and took up guitar at age 12. He began taking guitar lessons and learning the classic rock, pop and R&B songs of the 60s, 70s, and 90s while also being classically trained by John Doan, an award winning guitarist and professor at Willamette University.

At age 15 Mikael was performing in local coffee shops with his acoustic folk band, and performing at weddings as well as solo on guitar. It was not uncommon to have the coffee shops completely filled with people standing outside to listen. Mikael's musical endeavors continued in high school as he played and performed with the best jazz choir and choral group in the state of Oregon at South Salem High School. He also won 2nd place for solo guitar in the State High School championship encompassing all high school divisions in Oregon.

After high school Mikael continued his musical education at Azusa Pacific University where he...