Creative Musical Arts

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

I am a composer and pianist. I love to teach. I value relationships that are built around sharing and enjoying music. And there is nothing more rewarding than the joy and pride of students and parents on recital days!
I have taught creativity to all of my students for the twenty plus years I have been teaching. Now I am training other teachers in my method, and all students at Creative Musical Arts learn how to write and improvise music, solo and in groups.

My Musical Education Background

I was fortunate to have a wonderful pianist/teacher, Carolyn Denham, in my neighborhood when I was growing up. I was a girl who did not need to be reminded to practice!

In college I studied piano with Marilyn Thompson and composition with Will Johnson at Sonoma State University. One year of graduate composition studies at New England Conservatory, and then it was time to get to work.

Genres and Subjects Taught

Students get the full benefits of a traditional music education PLUS a thorough and extensive immersion in the language of music through creating music and performing their creations.

As a composer, I naturally incorporated teaching scales and chords, and then using the scales and chords to create music with my students, when I began teaching.

I welcome children and adult students of all levels and abilities. Our goal is to support the unique spark in each individual while helping to develop his or her knowledge and enhancing their appreciation of music.

Areas of focus are performance (learning and polishing pieces), technique (developing finger control and agility), and music theory (the language of music) through creative work (improvisation and composition, including notation).

Create Your Own Musical! and Create Your Own Music! camps are offered in the summer.

Lesson Rates

Complimentary first lesson.


Weekly lessons:

Four 45-minutes lessons . . . . . $180

Four 60-minutes lessons . . . . . $240





 

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

Children and adults, 5 and up

My Certifications and Awards

My orchestral album, The Seeker, won Best Instrumental Album at the 2004 Just Plain Folks Awards.

My Musical Influences

Tchaikovsky, John Denver, Brahms, Herb Alpert, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Beethoven.

Service Area

Katie
Bainbridge Island, WA

Dear Kate, Thank you for teaching me so much about piano. I love to play and I hope that I play like you some day. You are the greatest piano teacher in the world!!!!!

Rachael
Bainbridge Island, WA

Tracked down on facebook: “I still play piano, for myself. I am so thankful that I took lessons from you as a child. Those memories are priceless! You were a great teacher, Kate. I hope to find a teacher for my baby someday that could compare to you. You were more than just a piano teacher to my family and I. We talk about you often!”

Preston
Bainbridge Island, WA

“You found the love of music in a child and helped it grow like a garden flower. Your patience and skill have nurtured his hidden talent that we enjoy in every incredible performance. His family and friends are forever in your debt, knowing the future is bright and melodious. You are forever in his heart as a teacher and a friend, giving him a tremendous gift he will have always...”