Portland Music Lessons for Adults

Royal Schools of Music and prepare them for one to two exams a year. The exams test playing abilities on 3 songs plus scales, arpeggios, ear training and music theory. Students that pass get a beautiful certificate for each level, grades 1 to 8.

I earned my music degree from Portland State University in 2006, graduating with honors. In 1996 I won two Medals of Distinction for violin performance and music theory and then in 2001 I received a Merit Award from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, London, England for viola performance. I've been blessed to be able to perform in a variety of ensembles and genres such as musical theater pit orchestras, string quartets, the Vancouver Symphony, and rock, jazz, tango, Middle Eastern and blue grass/folk bands.

My biggest thrill is to be able to transmit culture to the younger generation through music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I offer the following for my violin, viola, cello, bass and piano students. Most of all, it is the joy of music making that I want to share with my students.

Private and group lessons
Two recitals a year
Special performance opportunities throughout the year
Classical, jazz, fiddle, rock, tango, sacred, Celtic, folk
Music theory
Customized lesson plans using various methods old and new

I endeavor to provide a fun, non intimidating environment for students while motivating them to achieve their highest potential by providing many performance opportunities throughout the year. Some of my students have appeared as special guests with my band, Mango Nights.

Included with weekly private lessons are once a month group lessons where students can learn essential ensemble skills and have fun meeting other students.

Beginning students learn several simple songs that teach great tone and rhythm using classical, folk, blues, rock, ragtime, bluegrass. Students learn concepts such as syncopation, rhythm, note reading, articulations, dynamics, asymmetrical time meters and and more. Each book comes with a CD with piano accompaniment which makes practicing at home enjoyable.

Students are gradually introduced to scales, arpeggios, music theory, ear training and sight reading. All this works together to produce "the complete musician". The complete musician is a person who has excellent rhythm, pitch, note reading skills and creativity, a person who can enjoy and appreciate music in it's various forms over a lifetime whether it be for personal enjoyment or as a career.

For more serious students who have the goal of auditioning for university scholarships, top youth orchestras or becoming a professional musician, an accelerated intensive course is available in partnership with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In this program, the student is prepared for a once a year rigorous exam requiring the playing of select pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight reading and ear training. The candidate performs for the visiting Associated Board Examiner from London England and is graded on a point system. Upon passing the student receives a beautiful certificate and additional awards for high scores. Once a year at a separate time, a written exam for music theory is taken. The exams are graded 1 to 8 and can be classical or jazz depending on the candidate's choice.

*** Studio Equipment ***
electric piano, separate room for lessons, off street parking,
Convenient close in location

*** Travel Equipment ***
Small amp, Mac laptop and metronome.

*** Specialties ***
I teach many styles and genres such as Classical, Folk, Bluegrass, Celtic, Rock, Jazz, Tango and Middle Eastern.

Ensemble playing with other students.

Professional opportunities playing for weddings and other events.

joyable and efficient. He has experienced the common pitfall of practicing scales for many hours only to retain little or nothing. Michael shows his students techniques to focus, and get more done with less wasted time. Lessons are customized to meet the student’s goals and learning style.

Michael ensures that every student will have the skills to be a complete musician that is comfortable in any musical genre or setting. He enjoys working with students of all abilities. Michael relates to the absolute beginner and experienced musician equally.

the opportunity to cross over if they would like.
I pay attention to my students needs and wants. I would like students to be open minded about the work that they are being taught but I also want to take their interests to heart. If a student brings me music or a monologue that they would like to work on, I will review it and try to incorporate it within our studies.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, flute, metronome, recording devices, internet access, text books and scanner and copier access, mirrors, etc.

*** Specialties ***
Musical Theater
Shakespeare Acting
Acting for Singers
Auditioning how to's
Script Analysis
Classical acting
Various acting methods
Classical Flute
Music Theory
Sight Singing
Public Speaking
Stage Dialects
IPA
Speech concerns and options

eds, to engage in everything from medieval and traditional music to jazz and classical.

Aage enjoys teaching students of all ages, from beginning to college level, including homeschoolers and adult beginners.

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3rd. We will get into advanced songwriting skills to help you organize your lyrics so you are writing high quality lyrics every time.

Imagine waking up tomorrow with the ability to easily improvise your own lyrics over any beat or instrumental music.

This is all possible with my training.

The great thing about learning songwriting with these 3 steps is you will learn a lot faster. In fact most students get comfortable improvising their own lyrics on the first day.

I look forward to working with you or your student.

Pat