I have been taking piano and vocal lessons with Katherine through the Sound Music School and the…read moreexperience has been fantastic! She has a wonderful grasp of how to present concepts in ways that are useful and easy to understand. Within weeks I could already see myself starting to make progress. She is also fantastic at communicating goals and working on material that is relevant and fun. I've been able to bring in music I'd like to work on, but I've also discovered new music that is thrilling to explore. My weekly lesson has become the highlight of my week! The booking process was incredibly fast and simple. My trial lesson was scheduled within the same week I submitted an inquiry, and by the following week I was already on the regular schedule. If you're in the area and looking to take music lessons, I can't recommend this school highly enough!

I hadn't ever played guitar before, so I decided to give it a try. I was a little nervous in the…read morelessons because my playing was so basic, but my instructor taught me to have patience with myself, practice songs I liked, and I grew week by week! I would 100% endorse this school!

One lesson with JT and I knew he was The One Teacher I wanted. After going from one guitar teacher…read moreto another, I was so happy I had finally found the best. I've been taking guitar lessons with JT for a couple of years and I'm so thankful to him because he's given me the gift of music. I would recommend JT to anybody that's serious about learning guitar.

Sam is a phenomenal Instructor. You can not find a better, more effective teacher in the area…read more I've been working with him for about 9 months. I've been drumming for 15 years. I've played in active bands in a variety of genres (pop, rock, jazz, metal, fusion etc...). I've done a music theory degree, and studied music both a serious industry member (live audio reinforcement) and as a performer. I can say, without any doubts, that Sam has been one of the greatest musical mentor's I've ever had the pleasure of working with. His knowledge of musical genres is unparalleled - he can seamlessly move between contemporary pop, classic jazz, world music (afro-cuban, afrobeat etc..) and more, all the while giving deep insights into the musical relationships between them. Sam's technical skill is exceptional, and his ability to distill complex techniques which he's refined over the course of years into small teachable lessons is exquisite. He possess the ability to identify strengths and weaknesses in a performer, and can use that insight to drive your development forward in ways which will truly expand your playing. Sam possess a calm, friendly personality that creates a comfortable, safe environment in which to learn. When working with him I feel like I am part of a team dedicated to furthering my musical development. His attitude is one of always looking forward for ways to improve while focusing on making lessons fun and engaging. As a drummer of over a decade, who had recently sought to push himself to new levels, Sam has been everything I had hoped to find in a teacher.

I've been taking drum lessons with Sam Esecson for well over a year now - and while he works mostly…read morewith younger students, Sam is a great teacher for adults as well. In particular, he helped me move from getting down the basics on my own to being comfortable playing in several different live band and group situations. I'd recommend him not only for kids and novice adult students, but also for more experienced drummers looking to improve their hand technique, their musical feel (especially in jazz and latin), and their dynamics and finesse. His studio is large so it never feels cramped and set up so it's not super-loud during a lesson, which is a bonus!

Joe is an amazing teacher no matter where you want to go with the guitar. He tailors his lessons to…read moreeach student's goals and needs very well -- he can help you do anything, from strumming 4-chord camping songs to advanced jazz improvisation. I was looking to get more serious about my playing, and in just a few weeks I've seen an amazing improvement. He has a professional attitude, but is able to keep things fun and always has the joy of making music in mind. He takes notes on each student and is well-prepared for each lesson. Fantastic!

I highly recommend Deft Digits and Joe Walker! My 10 year old son has taken ukulele lessons from…read moreJoe for 15 months, and during that time: * Joe is very well organized; both in lesson structure and communication * Joe caters lessons to the individual, keeping their interest with content they enjoy while still teaching basics like chords * During lessons, Joe has shown to be patient and kind, while still being firm in terms of staying on point Joe's online scheduling is easy to use and always up to date, and his lessons consistently start and end on time. During lessons, Joe is composed and professional. The lessons are structured in a way that is predictable for students and flexible so that if a student comes to the lesson with a new interest, they work on that. My son began his lessons with Joe with the goal of learning how to play a Star Wars theme on the ukulele, and not only has he mastered several of those, he has also learned to play his favorites from Fall Out Boy and Weezer. In addition, my son has learned chords, how to manage his time practicing, and how to read music. Joe has made learning the ukulele fun for my son, and my son is proud of his accomplishments.

I have been working with Pascal for just over a year and I cannot speak highly enough of Pascal as…read morea guitar instructor. He is not only an exceptionally skilled musician but also an excellent teacher who has transformed my playing in just a short matter of time. Pascal can easily and clearly explain material and concepts, often approaching things from multiple angles to ensure complete understanding. Whether we're working on lead guitar techniques, rhythm guitar fundamentals, or diving into music theory, he maintains a strong balance that keeps lessons engaging and comprehensive. His teaching style is also approachable and professional, which has helped create an environment where I feel comfortable asking questions and pushing myself to improve (something I was nervous about, having never played guitar previously). Although I was at first hesitant about the commitment of in-person lessons, I have also really grown to appreciate the fact that lessons are in-person. Pascal has an eye for detail and a very well-trained ear, which allows him to provide real-time adjustments on everything from basic technique to nuanced elements like the way in which the pick is being held, thumb position, hand placement, and arm angles, etc. I believe these types of corrections that would be difficult to identify on my own (again, having no prior experience), and would likely not come through in most online/recorded lessons. These small refinements have made a large difference in my playing ability, to the point where even minor adjustments (like a slight adjustment to wrist angle) allow me to play a chord or a progression that I was struggling to play on my own during practice. As others have commented, I would also recommend double lessons, which I find to give me a great amount of items to work on before my next lesson. On a personal note, I genuinely look forward to my lessons with Pascal. Pascal's enthusiasm and encouragement have motivated me to practice consistently and focus on development in ways I do not believe I would have if I were learning independently. I also do not feel pressured if I have a busy week and have not been able to dedicate as much time to the material (although that rarely happens, as I enjoy the material so much). My wife has even commented on how much progress I've made in such a short time (she likes listening to me now). As someone who firmly believes you get what you pay for, I can say without hesitation that Pascal is worth every penny. If you're looking for a guitar instructor who will genuinely invest in your growth as a musician, Pascal is an excellent choice.

If you want to be able to pick up a guitar and confidently turn the music in your head into…read morereality, Pascal will get you there. He has the experience, skill, and patience to tailor each of his lessons to provide meaningful and rewarding progress towards your musical goals and, in my case, beyond what I thought I was capable of. I started playing guitar as an adult, and had little idea of what I wanted to get out of the hobby. After years of sporadically learning pieces of songs from online lessons, I came around to the conclusion that I enjoyed guitar enough to take it more seriously. Initially, structured online lessons yield great results, but I quickly started hitting skill plateaus that forced me to move in a different direction to feel like I was making progress. After diversions into music theory, gear acquisition, and some in-person instruction, my interest in guitar was stronger than ever, but I just wasn't getting that much better at playing the thing. Then I found Pascal's website and thought he sounded like someone I should reach out to. The first lesson I had with Pascal completely changed my view of what I could get out of guitar in such a positive way. Biased by my previous experiences learning other instruments, I went in thinking that learning could either be structured and chore-like, or relaxed and fun, but unproductive. I was wrong. Pascal immediately put me on a track that was both structured and personal, and made me enjoy playing so much more. I wish I had hours every day to devote to practicing, but I struggle to find even minutes most days. Even with that constraint, the progress was immediately tangible. One of Pascal's greatest strengths is explaining why he's teaching something and laying out realistic expectations for progression. I became much more aware of the small increments of progress I was making and my basic skills improved dramatically. As lessons progressed, the connections between the lessons became more and more clear. The fretboard transitioned from being intimidating to comfortable, and the fear of getting "lost" started going away. At no point did I have to sit down and memorize anything to get to that place; it happened naturally with the lessons. I waited to write a review for a couple years because I wanted my recommendation to be credible for someone like me: a person whose interest in playing guitar has exceeded their skill and is looking for a teacher to bridge that gap. If that sounds like you, I wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to Pascal!

I started taking cello lessons again with Mannfried Funk, a former Seattle Symphony member. He's…read moregot a great teaching space in his home on Phinny ridge but also makes house calls. He's a super likable guy and very patient. Something I need to get up on YouTube is his comical dog - who literally sings along when he's playing (stops after a bit - it's not a distraction). If you're looking for a Cello teacher in Seattle (or the Eastside) I'd highly recommend him. You can reach him via email at MKFS381@AOL.com

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."…read more --Honest Abe For all those about to bust orchestral maneuvers (in the dark or otherwise), get ready to sharpen your axe. My son's first cello lesson with Mannfried Funk (my friend exclaimed that this is the best musical name a person could have, bar none, and he's dead-on!), began with an almost entirely visual assessment of where he was at skillwise, as evidenced by his physical relationship to the cello. In about 45 seconds, Mannfried had it all dialed in. My kid has always been running to catch up. He started orchestra a year behind the flock in his first school, then 2 years behind the excellent and more intensive Eckstein orchestra (which rehearses daily). In each case, he caught up, and in each case was Most Improved. But all that hustling to "learn the music" meant he never "learned the cello." Mannfried makes this important distinction, and it's incredibly astute. He took one look at everything: posture, limbs, sweep of the bow, and--not unkindly--told him to just put the cello down for a while. It was an awesome lesson. An abnormally long lesson. They talked about physics and gravity, about proaction and reaction, about efficiency, conservation of energy, and minimization of effort. He had Maximo stand up, then return to the chair and position himself with the cello no less than five times to reinforce the muscle memory of what will be an entirely new, more efficient posture. This guy knows his shit backwards and forward. And let's not forget his SINGING DOG. He said that for a while he'd sequester the dog upstairs to keep him from singing along, but he'd still hear him up there, disconsolate and humming. But the lesson. Every student could and should have this kind of a foundation, and truthfully no group instructor will ever have the time and resources (and many would never have the intimate knowledge themselves) to impart this kind of an education--it approached the metaphysical. There are talented practitioners, and there are talented teachers, and they're not always the same people. I'm sure this guy can play like a house on fire, but christ on a cracker, has he got a genius for teaching. He doesn't talk down or patronize, nor is he gruff or the stern taskmaster. He is a persuasive, knowledgeable clinician with an intuitive, and highly prescriptive approach. Not only am I thrilled we've found him, I'm considering reinitiating lessons myself. I could not recommend him more highly to any student at any stage of their musical evolution. And for beginners, a few sessions with him ought to be mandatory.

Hey are you or your kids looking for music lessons over the summer or into the fall? If you like…read moresupporting local businesses and know how important music can be, I suggest this local business as it is Madison Valley's hidden gem. Here is a little bit about me. I have been a student of The Music Factory for 5 years. Here are three things that set them apart from the rest. One, they are super flexible. Lessons can be taken from The Music Factory, online, or even at your own house. Two, the staff are super kind and friendly. Every interaction I have had with them has been wonderful and supportive. Three, The Music Factory is located in a house. It feels like you are at home and the environment is really calming and warm. Click the link below to learn more! https://musicfactory.online/studentsignupgreen

You could not do better than Alex for learning how to play guitar. he's a brilliant musician, a…read morecompassionate coach, and will tell you what he sees directly and clearly. Every lesson my son or I have with him is a joy. Highly recommended.

I took about 5 months of online vocal lessons with Kristin and it was really good. I wanted to…read moreimprove my singing skills to do a song at my wedding, and to improve my karaoke abilities in general. And I think it helped me tremendously. As a bonus, I also got an opportunity to perform in one of the recitals hosted by Kirsten and it was a great experience. She's very flexible and knowledgeable, and knows how to pace yourself to improve your skills over time.

It was a wonderful experience having Kristen as a vocal coach. The bottom line is that I improved…read morein my singing, my confidence increased significantly, and Kristen was a really multifaceted person with a lot of flexibility to meet my goals. I enjoyed my meetings with her. She always so the positives and the possibilities, even when it came to my own songs. She was extremely supportive of working on my original music and helped me feel confident with the few songs I wrote that were pretty high on my range. She's also a very real person, so we could focus but we could also laugh or acknowledge if we were struggling a bit that day. She offers all of her students, piano and singing, to participate in a recital that is hosted by an elderly care facility for which she volunteers her time, I believe to do singing or choir. I suggest for any potential student to take that opportunity in that low stress environment with Kristen's support and other supportive students to practice being in front of people. Also, the residents really appreciated it. While meeting in person would have been nice and probably has some advantages, working remotely was really convenient and still quite effective. I highly recommend Seattle City Music with Kristen for your vocal or piano lessons!