Bellevue, WA Music Theory Lessons

will enable you to learn to play in any style you choose to study. Ultimately my job is not to teach you to play, but to show you how to teach yourself. I will arm you with a thorough understanding of technique and theory.

I love working with kids and adults. I love brand new players with no experience as well as seasoned players who just want to fill in some gaps in their knowledge. Whatever your age, and wherever you’re at with your playing, I hope you will give me the chance to help you have more fun and confidence in music.

Every player I work with gets access to a personal online Lesson Journal where you can see my notes from our lessons, do homework from your “Stuff to work on” lists, and access my entire digital library! Every lesson is designed just for you.

Let’s get started…

You can take lessons at my studio, in your home, or online via Skype.

For lessons in my studio, I can provide instruments and amplifiers for both of us.

There is ample seating for parents to sit in on lessons. Parking is available in the driveway.

You’re going to love your lessons!
-Alex

ng County areas.

I was eight years old when I started taking piano lessons in Tacoma, WA. When I was 12, I discovered that I had perfect pitch while playing church hymns with my dad. This ability has served me well on a number of occasions. I discontinued formal piano lessons when I started college, but I continued to play piano on a nearly daily basis from that point on, keeping my technical skills at a very advanced level. I played trumpet in school bands starting in the 5th grade, and switched to French Horn in the 8th grade. The appeal of the horn may have had something to do with its rich, warm sound, its intricacy and complexity, and the demands that it placed on me to play with a high degree of pitch accuracy. I loved the challenge of playing accurately on the horn then, and I still do. As a horn student, I have studied with Jacqueline Shannon, Kathy Farner, Kathy Colton, Lawrence Lowe, Elizabeth Ward, Jeff Snedeker, Rodger Burnett and Stacie Eliason. As a horn performer, I have played with community and regional professional orchestras in the Seattle area, Central Washington, Olympia, in the Tacoma Youth Symphony, and in numerous ensembles in college.

I have studied music at Tacoma Community College, Brigham Young University and Central Washington University. I received Bachelor of Arts in Music at Central Washington University. I plan on attending graduate school in the future, focusing on music composition and film composition, as well as French Horn and piano performance.

As a music composer, I have written works for many different ensembles, choral works, solo piano pieces, and works for solo instruments. I am drawn to rich harmonies and beautiful melodies, as well as interesting timbres and musical variety, in my own music and that of the music I listen to. I am easily able to visualize music in color, and I have a thorough understanding of how the elements of music combine together to affect emotions in listeners. This is one of the reasons that I am currently pursuing film and media composition.

As a student, teacher, performer and music composer, I know that there are countless musical topics that students are curious about. I feel that students should feel free to ask any question in the field of music, even if it may seem like a "dumb" question. I value the sincerity and passion for good music that so many students have. I will help you acquire the knowledge and skills that you need, so that you can see more clearly your own musical goals. Previous and current students I have, each have made improvements in their own playing and knowledge of music, some of whom have made vast improvements in their playing and knowledge of music.

As I have taught music privately for a little while now, and can reasonably compare how I teach with other instructors that I know well, I can say with certainty that there are at least a few areas of my teaching that are somewhat unique and highly beneficial for certain students, if not most students. I value ear training and using flashcards with beginner students quite a bit, and am fond of teaching not only the "nuts and bolts" of music, but also, how music "works", such that a student of mine can write their own music if they have the desire to do so. I also try to assign a wide variety of music for each student (which differs according to each student's musical interests, abilities, and areas of their playing that need to be improved), especially as they improve and approach the intermediate levels of playing. There are many reasons I do this, but for the student, it is very important that they do not feel particularly "bored" with the music they are playing. I also have found that students who have a more sensitive nature tend to be more comfortable with the way I teach, as I reserve higher, stricter expectations for more advanced, older students. I also try to always be as patient, kind, and considerate with every student as I can be. Lastly, I highly encourage questions and feedback at any time during a lesson, and I try to create an atmosphere where the student feels comfortable to do so.

I accept students from five years old on up, but I prefer horn students to be at least ten years old before starting lessons, unless they have noticeably greater abilities to focus for a certain period of time than other children their age.

Employment and Musical Experience:

Transcription Work for David Templeton, Composer, 2010

Private Composition Instructor, January 2009-Present

Private Horn Instructor, January 2009-Present

Private Piano Instructor, Fall 2006-Spring 2007, January 2009-Present

Summer Camp Counselor: Lutheran Summer Music, Summer 2006

Principal Horn: Ensign Symphony Orchestra, December 2014

Fourth Horn: Olympia Symphony, September 2012

Third Horn: Mid-Columbia Symphony, February-May 2007

Second Horn: Washington East Opera, Barber of Seville, January 2006

Substitute Third Horn: Yakima Symphony, Winter 2006

Third/Fourth Horn: Wenatchee Symphony, Fall 2005

Substitute Horn: Leavenworth Summer Music Theater: Summer 2005

1st Horn: Shoreline Community Church, Christmas 2004

Principal Horn: Central Washington University Symphony, Chamber Orchestras

Principal Horn: Central Washington University Wind Ensemble

Finalist, Northwest Horn Workshop Mock Auditions, March 2005

Education:

Graduate, Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program

Post-Baccalaureate Music Education Courses: Central Washington University, 2006-2007

Bachelor of Arts in Music: Central Washington University, Summer 2006

Associate of Arts and Sciences: Tacoma Community College, Fall 2002

Other:

Eagle Scout

Served 2 Year Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Music Composer/Arranger

*** Lesson Details ***
I have always wanted people I interact with to be, as a general rule, comfortable and relaxed in any setting. This certainly applies to the students I teach. However, students can expect that musical improvement will only occur through daily practice and constant effort. That being said, I am more interested in helping students overcome any difficulties in this area through reviewing their own practice habits and motivations, rather than using harsh discipline. It is crucial that students see the connection between their own practicing and musical improvement. Once this occurs, they can take more responsibility for their own progress with that added awareness.

The material chosen for each student will vary considerably, depending on their current knowledge, experience and ability level, innate abilities, musical tastes and priorities. The progress that is made will, to a large extent, be determined by the student's practice habits and natural ability. However, over the course of a few months or so, students should see noticeable improvement in their own musical abilities, if they practice and pay attention during lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, music stand, computer/printer, metronome

*** Travel Equipment ***
-French Horn: pencil, mute, tuner/metronome, maintenance/cleaning supplies, some books depending on if it is a first lesson, etc. I bring my own horn, and expect the student to have their horn. I also expect them to have a music journal to use as a reference for practicing and keeping track of their progress. Occasionally, I will employ a recording device for the purpose of assessing personal teaching effectiveness, or for the student to evaluate their progress/record their practicing.
-Piano: Metronome, pencil, some books if it is a first lesson, music journal, possibly a recording device from time to time.
-Music Theory/Composition: Music paper, pencil, music journal.

*** Specialties ***
Regarding method of instruction/teaching style, I am student oriented, and tend to adapt to each student's personality and learning style. I tend to teach more in the classical genres, with some pop/film music thrown in for variety (from time to time). I prefer using the Bastian, Alfred, and/or John Thompson piano methods, and Pottag-Hovey, Maxime-Alphonse books, etc. for French Horn.

levision programs, concertized and spoken in the US and abroad, recorded nine albums in various languages, co-authored an Early Childhood Education book which included training in the use of music for the young, authored three poetry books and accompanying cd's, and teaches Voice to her private and group students.

*** Lesson Details ***
The atmosphere is relaxed in our comfortable professional studio. We work hard, and enjoy the journey as we develop your voice and repertoire with a focus on whatever style of singing you choose. It won't be long until you will see that songs that were previously too high or too low are now comfortably within your grasp. And, you will be able to sing for longer periods of time without getting tired or injuring your voice. You might also want the experience of practicing stage presence, working with trax, learning how to relate to an audience, and learning microphone technique, all of which will add to the professionalism of your most excellent and enjoyable career.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music studio room w/ piano and seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in finding the student's unique voice, and helping them to understand its natural operation in order to set it free to be used in any style they choose to sing. The Italian Bel Canto method describes the basic singing technique, and is the foundation from which a healthy and versatile voice can be developed. My upcoming book, "All God's Chillun' Got A Voice" How To Find It, and Release It As A Creative Tool”, discusses both the technical and esoteric sides of the singing voice, its operation and purposes.

say I'm a rock player at heart, but I love all styles.

I do request that if you are a male 18 years and up and you are requesting me to come to your house, that the first lesson be at my location. As a safety precaution, I do not go to adult male's homes without having met them first. Thank you.

rious angles. I have taught seven-year old girls to strum and sing Taylor Swift songs just as much as I have taught aspiring young jazz players their beginning standards and Jazz theory. I try to work music theory in to my lessons, and always assure that my young students have proper music reading skills. Ultimately my goal as a teacher is to have fun connecting and playing the music that my students are passionate about, while simultaneously attempting to introduce them to new concepts and music.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Drum Sets, Guitars, Amps, Keyboard and more.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Various Acoustic and Electric Guitars, amps, Snare Drum, stands, etc. Drum sets, if necessary.

*** Specialties ***
Teaching Guitar and Drums/percussion to children. Jazz and Funk Guitar, Classic Rock, Musical Theater.

ecessary skills that demonstrate learning.

I'm excited to help you incorporate new skills into your life!