Guitar, voice and production lessons in Corvallis, OR, and online
Let's make your sound a little sunnier.
I teach guitar, voice, music production and audio engineering, one-on-one. We start with why you're here and what you like to listen to, and I'll adjust as we go.
If traditional lessons haven’t worked for you, I’d especially like to hear from you. How I teach.
Why learn with me
Your music, your way
I'm not going to force music on you. We'll work on songs you want to play, and if something feels wrong for your hands or your voice, we'll find what works for you, even if it doesn't look like what I do.
Where I learned to teach
As music director of On the Rocks, an a cappella group at the University of Oregon, I taught every part to 12 to 16 singers with different backgrounds, and not all of them read music well. You'd be among my first private music students, but working out what each person needs isn't new to me.
If you don't know something
Tell me. If you already knew everything, you wouldn't be seeing me. I won't pretend to know everything either. Experience just means I can find the answers a little quicker, and we'll find them together.
What we can work on
Voice lessons
For anyone who wants to sing, including people who are embarrassed to. I coached a cappella singers on both the singing and the stage presence.
In-person or online
Learn more about voice lessonsGuitar lessons
The songs you actually listen to, at your level. I've been playing for 16 years.
Best in person, since I need to see your hands
Learn more about guitar lessonsMusic production
How to build a track: grooves, sounds, synths, and what each instrument does in a song. I teach in Logic, and it all carries over to other DAWs.
In-person or online
Learn more about music productionAudio engineering and recording
For people already making music. We go through your song or mix together, and I'll show you what I'd do and why.
In-person or online
Learn more about audio engineering and recordingPricing
Trial Lesson
$20 / 30 min
Half an hour to see if we get along. The fee just holds the time.
Single Lesson
$50 / hour
Same price whatever we're working on: guitar, voice, production, or engineering.
4-Lesson Pack
$180 ($45 / lesson)
Saves you $20 over booking 4 one at a time. Good once you know you're sticking with it.
In-person lessons happen at my sound-treated home studio in Corvallis, OR. Online lessons work well for voice, production and audio engineering. Guitar goes better in person, because I can see your hands.
Lessons are paid in person, by cash, Venmo or Zelle. Need to move one? Free with 24+ hours’ notice, and a 50% fee with less. See the lesson policies.
Book a trial lesson
Online booking is coming soon. For now, send a quick note with the lesson you’re interested in and a few times that work for you. I’ll reply with an open slot for your trial lesson.
Request a lessonHow it starts
Book a trial
Start with a $20 half-hour trial. It's mostly a conversation, so we can get to know each other and see if it's a good fit.
Find a direction
I'll get a sense of where you are and what you're interested in, and I'll have an idea of where to start.
Keep coming
Weekly, every other week, whatever you can keep up. I'm generally open on weekday evenings and weekends.
Questions
Do I need any experience?
Nope. We start wherever you are.
Do you teach kids?
Yes. I'd prefer potty-trained and up, and we can discuss younger kids with a parent there. Parents know their kids best, and they're always welcome to sit in, but they don't have to. If your child needs accommodations, tell me ahead of time so I can prepare.
Can you make my kid love it?
No, that's not within my power. What I can do is make lessons as enjoyable as I can and tailor them to what your kid likes. If what you want and what your kid wants don't match, I'll try to find a compromise.
What if I don't practice?
I won't be upset, and there's no minimum. If you didn't practice, then either something more important was going on, or I didn't give you something you wanted to work on. We'll figure out what you'd be more willing to practice. My own practice isn't very structured either. Sometimes I run scales, and sometimes I put music on shuffle and try to work out the chords by ear before the song ends.
Do I need my own instrument?
Not to start. I have guitars, a bass and a keyboard you can use during lessons. If you stick with it you'll want your own to practice on at home, and I'm happy to help you pick one.
In person or online?
Either. In person, we meet at my home studio in Corvallis. Voice, production and engineering work well over video. Guitar usually goes better in the room, because I can see your hands. Online lessons are on Microsoft Teams, and I can record them if you ask.
Where are you, and where do I park?
Southtown, Corvallis, in a residential neighborhood away from campus. There's free street parking nearby, and I'll send the exact address when you book. OSU students are welcome, and online lessons are an option if getting here is hard.
What should I know before I come over?
The studio is upstairs and carpeted, so we prefer no shoes up there, though we can make exceptions. I have a friendly dog who sheds a fair amount, so tell me if you have allergies. Please don't knock or ring the bell, because that's the one thing that sets him off. The door will be unlocked, and I'll probably be waiting outside the first time you come.
What does it cost?
$50 an hour, whatever we're working on. 4 lessons booked together are $180, and your first can be a $20 half-hour trial. You pay at the lesson, by cash, Venmo or Zelle, and we can discuss other ways to pay.
What if I need to cancel?
Rescheduling is free with at least 24 hours' notice. With less notice, there's a 50% fee. If you don't show up, it's the full lesson.
What can you teach?
Guitar, voice, music production in Logic, and audio engineering. The concepts are the same in any genre, so bring whatever you like. I play bass too, and I know enough piano and theory to show you things, but I don't teach piano.
Have you taught before?
Private music lessons are new for me. I taught and coached a cappella singers for years as a music director, and I tutor computer science now.
What if lessons haven't worked for me before?
Then I'd especially like to talk to you. They often didn't work for me either, and I've had more bad music teachers than good ones.
How I teach neurodivergent learnersStill deciding?
Send me a question first if you’d like. I’ll write back myself, usually within 1 to 2 business days.
I also do mixing & mastering.