Acoustic+Guitar+in+Studio.jpg
 

Inspirational music lessons in Seattle.

 
 
1024x768-battleship-grey-solid-color-background.jpg

Private Music Lessons

We have a true passion for music.

This is where your inspiration will turn a corner. Sound Music School is a community based, professional network of musicians and educators that enriches peoples lives with substantive approaches to learning all styles of music. Whether it’s Blues, Rock, Classical, Jazz or Electronic. All levels, all ages and any style!


email: info@soundmusicschool.com or call: 206-402-4239

Sound Music School Over the Shoulder Music Stand.png

Sound Music School is a collective of musicians based in Seattle, WA who believe that learning an instrument can be structured and fun! Our instructors craft a unique learning plan for each student ensuring that you get the most out of your lessons and have a great time in the process! We teach Guitar, Bass, Piano, Violin, Voice and Ukulele, offering in person lessons or remote. Schedule a free, no pressure trial lesson today!

I'm a professional musician and teacher myself, and know how difficult it is to find a truly competent, dedicated, and inspiring teacher, especially for children. I am thrilled that we discovered Mike - he is a true gem.

INSTRUCTORS

 
 
 

Mike Keeney - Guitar, Bass and Ukulele Instructor

 
 

Mike Keeney

Mike began his musical journey at 14 years old by completely immersing himself in a variety of guitar styles. In just two years he earned a spot at an elite performing arts high school in Chicago and began performing in both groups and solo across the city. He soon moved onto the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston where he dual majored in Performance and Jazz Composition from 1997-2001. This was a transformative period of musical growth for Mike. The Berklee method emphasizes using harmonic analysis in conjunction with relative pitch ear training across all styles and is an integral part of how Mike teaches lessons to this day! After leaving Berklee Mike trained for two and a half years under the esteemed Charlie Banacos. Charlie was one of the greatest jazz educators of the past century and was an influential instructor at a pivotal point of musical development in Mike’s journey.

After Boston, Mike landed back in Chicago and worked as a freelance musician both producing his own “Mike Keeney Trio” and “Negative Worlds”. Mike earned experiences performing solo guitar and in groups for weddings and private events, gigging as The Mike Keeney Trio and recording commercial music for industrial film. At the same time he found success building a student roster and creating The Mike Keeney Guitar School from his home studio in Warrenville, IL. This began a codification of teaching style that blended method and substance with a fun way of learning modern music.

Newly married in 2013, Mike and his wife Emily decided to take the plunge and move to the Pacific Northwest. The Mike Keeney Guitar School was launched officially in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood in 2014. Mike has enjoyed fulfilling people’s lives through inspirational styles of teaching guitar, bass, ukulele, music theory and music production for the past 17 years. Transitioning to Sound Music School was the next logical step in spreading this joy to a community.

Neal Adams - Guitar, Bass and Ukulele Instructor

Neal Adams - Guitar, Bass and Ukulele Instructor

 
 

Neal Adams

Neal has worked a music educator for the last 20 years. After completing his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston, he attended California State University Fullerton and studied with 7 string guitar master Ron Eschete and received two scholarships from the “Friends of Jazz.” He has played in several jazz, funk, and soul ensembles and performed in various musical theatre productions. Native to the Los Angeles area, Neal has made Seattle his permanent home as of 2015. He’s been lucky enough to learn and share the stage with greats such as Milo Peterson, Brad Rabuchin, Larry Knoose, David Becker, James Moody, Bob Florence, Mark White and Garrison Fewell to name a few.  Neal enjoys teaching students of all ages from beginning to advanced. Jazz, blues, rock, folk, reggae and classical are some of his favorite styles. He’s both passionate about teaching the music he finds inspiring and the music you love!

Neal’s approach teaching is first with the mindset, "let’s have fun" mixed in with building real skills and techniques that give you the ability to make the most out of your instrument! The process of learning music helps all aspects of our lives and can help find your place in the art form. Neal’s satisfaction in teaching is inspired by watching a student grow, build skills and open up to different styles of music. Nothing is more rewarding than watching a student achieve their own personal goals!

Robin - Bass, Upright Bass, Guitar, Piano, Ukulele and Music Production

Robin Cain

Robin teaches Piano, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele, Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Music Production, and Music Theory. He has over 24 years of experience studying instruments and over 10 years teaching. This includes receiving a BM in Jazz Studies from Capital University and Masters level study at New England Conservatory in Boston. He continues to enjoy a 7 year bass performance career. This included 2 years of working as a bass player on Norwegian and P&O Australia Cruise Ships, and playing every kind of music you could imagine.

Robin has a never ending patience and passion for teaching and is excited to work with all ages and skill levels, especially beginners. As a teacher, he is dedicated to motivating and inspiring his students and tracking progress whilst still finding a way to have fun!

When not teaching, Robin is practicing all of his instruments, and performing with local cover Band The Nines and local world music group Cordaviva. He also makes creative lo-fi beats and composes with Logic X music software while arranging his own music for small groups. Robin likes to spend time with family and friends, and play for kids at a weekly Kaleidoscope Play and Learn group led by his wife Joy. He looks forward to sharing the joy and inspiration of music with students of all backgrounds!

 
Carl Miller - Guitar, Bass, Piano and Ukulele Instructor

Carl Miller - Guitar, Bass, Piano and Ukulele Instructor

Carl Miller

Carl Miller is an experienced performer and educator in a variety of genres. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and started his musical journey at the age of 8 playing cello but soon found his passion for playing guitar at the age of 12. In middle school, Carl started a band with friends playing classic and contemporary Rock and Blues music. The group went on to open for notable acts such as "Little Brazil" and "Drake Bell" in high school as well as coming in 1st place at a Battle of the Bands competition in Omaha. After High School, Carl went on to study classical guitar under Maestro Hadley Heavin at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in 2013 Carl taught and performed in many different capacities. His teaching experience includes teaching all ages from complete beginner to advanced and encompassing performance styles from blues and rock to classical and flamenco music. He has performed as a soloist at weddings, parties, and concerts as well as in various duets with singers, violinists, and cellists. In 2014 he formed a "Bossa Nova Rock" group called "Carl Miller and the Thrillers" that quickly became one of the hottest new groups in Omaha according to local magazine “The Reader”. The Thrillers shared the stage with Conor Oberst, Sinkane, and Dolores Diaz and the Standby Club to name a few.

In 2019, Carl and his wife decided it was time to move to a bigger city to pursue music education and performance and set their sights on Seattle because of the rich and eclectic music scene. Since then, they have been teaching all ages and experience levels around the Seattle area. Carl’s teaching style caters to the students’ individual needs. His method focuses on balancing between developing strong technique with the pure joy of guitar playing. Whatever style or approach that may be, Carl is enthusiastic to help students of all backgrounds reach their goals.

 

Dan Schwindt - Guitar, Bass and Ukulele Instructor

 

Dan Schwindt

Dan has been a professional guitarist for 25 years based primarily in Seattle, Dallas and Denver's music markets and has recently relocated back to his hometown after a 20 year residency in Denver, CO. He has toured extensively throughout the United States performing various genres of music including Jazz, Rock, Funk and R&B. Pre-Covid Dan was averaging over 200 gigs a year while maintaining a full teaching schedule, regular studio work, and a first call orchestra pit musician at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO). As an adjunct music instructor at University of Colorado Denver, Dan taught beginning sight-reading and improvisation, commercial guitar styles, electric guitar styles, guitar ensemble, pop-rock ensemble and private lessons.

Dan is the son of a professional opera singer and voice teacher and was thrown into the world of music education at a young age. From the subconscious mind of a child hearing private lessons every night to over a decade teaching at a University, Dan has had a multitude of educational opportunities and experiences to create a successful learning environment. Dan believes learning is a very individualized process. Because individual students have different learning styles and contexts, the “one-size-fits-all” approach to teaching is convenient but ineffective. Thinking outside-the-box, maximizing the learning process and making it as individualized as possible and adaptive to the individual student will always achieve better results. Learning what creates inspiration is the key. If you can find what inspired the student to pick up the instrument in the first place, then you have found the spark to light the fire.

Paige Sandusky - Voice, Piano Instructor

Paige Sandusky

Paige is originally from New Jersey where she received her B.A. in Voice Performance from Montclair State University and is an alumni of The LaGuardia Performing Arts High School, "The Fame" School, in New York City. After college, she performed in New York City at renowned venues such as Cafe Wha? and The Groove. She also had the honor to perform on the same stage as countless iconic artists at Amateur Night at The Apollo Theater.

After a decade of living in the concrete jungle, the mountains were calling her name. Paige moved to the Denver, CO area in 2014 where she was the lead vocalist for soul/r&b band BeatSpeak and played in various funk, soul, and r&b groups as well as keeping a full-time teaching studio for voice and piano. She's since relocated to Seattle where she continues to perform, create and pursue her diverse musical endeavors. She strives to teach her students proper technique all the while staying in tune with one’s natural musical instincts. Just as she experienced with her mentors along the way, she hopes to create an open, fun, and creative learning environment for her students. 

 

Maho Sasaki - Piano Instructor

Maho Sasaki

Maho has been a happy piano player ever since her grandmother gifted her a toy grand piano at age 1. Classically trained, Maho has received her B.A. in Music and M.M. in Keyboard Performance from Washington University in St. Louis, and M.M. in Music Therapy from Sam Houston State University. She studied under Seth Carlin at Washington University in St. Louis. Originally from Japan, she has a unique background of moving cities more than 7 times before age 20, and has always kept up with piano lessons and studied under acclaimed piano teachers from Chicago, San Francisco, Hokkaido (Japan), Gorizia (Italy), and St. Louis. Since Maho spent most of her adolescence communication challenged due to the frequent international moves, music lessons were the only mode of sane community interaction for years. This background has inspired her to pursue music therapy later to broaden her involvement in providing positive musical experiences for a wider population in the community. Maho is also a board-certified music therapist with a specialization in neurologic music therapy.

With more than 10 years of experience teaching piano and providing music therapy services, Maho recently moved from Texas to Washington and is excited to start sharing her passion for music with the Seattle community. Maho’s lesson mottos are 1. To always respect the fundamentals, 2. It’s never too late to improve; she looks forward to welcoming a diverse range of students.

 

Maren Kilmer - Violin, Viola and Piano

 

Maren Kilmer

Maren Kilmer started playing violin at just seven years old. Growing up in Redmond, WA, she developed a deeper understanding and passion for music in high school where she connected with influential instructors who helped nurture a burgeoning passion for music. After graduating from Central Washington University with a BM in Viola Performance, she’s taught students in elementary, middle, and high school in both large and small group ensembles. Additionally, she’s a clinician in the Bellevue School district and a sectional coach for the Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestra. Currently, she plays with the Saratoga Orchestra, Mid-Columbia Symphony, Everett Philharmonic, and with the Northwest Mahler Festival.

Maren aims to advocate, educate and inspire her students by creating an open and safe learning environment where they can take risks, be curious and create their own music. She will continue to pursue her passion and career in sharing music with others by teaching and performing in the greater Seattle area for years to come and looks forward to inspiring a new generation of instrumentalists.

 

Stefanie Goldstein - Voice Instructor

Stefanie Goldstein

Stefanie Goldstein has been captivating audiences with her angelic voice and impressive range for over 30 years. She first noticed she loved to sing when she caught herself singing harmonies along to songs on the radio. At eight years of age, she realized that she was writing these harmonies herself, without even meaning to... It just came naturally. After seven years of piano lessons as a child, she began singing in high school choir.

Stefanie has since contributed to numerous esteemed ensembles including The San Francisco Lyric Opera, San Francisco Renaissance Voices, and the Puget Sound Concert Opera, among many others. Her experience in early music includes a former position as singer at the Bors Hede Restaurant at Camlan Medieval Village in Carnation, as well as acceptance to an Italian Renaissance course with Seattle’s Byrd Ensemble in Rome.  She also sings in a rock band, Accolade, which can be heard at various venues in the greater Seattle area.

Stefanie is a classically trained soprano and has learned from a solid, healthy technique for many years. She shares this technique with her students to help them to become better, healthier and happier singers. This approach works for any singing style to assist in keeping the voice fresh and healthy for a lifetime. Her lessons address breath support, proper alignment, personal expression and more. She has a sensitive, positive teaching style and is very patient and supportive in working with her students. Stefanie has found so much joy from free, healthy singing and it is her goal to help her students experience this same joy in their musical journey.

 

Ben Rea - Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Music Production

Ben Rea

Ben is a passionate Washington native with over a decade of teaching and playing experience. Upon graduating from The Art Institute of Seattle in 2013, Ben has since spent his time recording bands, playing shows, composing music, and traveling. In 2018, Ben was able to start his own private recording studio, where he has written, recorded, produced, and collaborated on many albums with other local musicians. With an overflow of demand, Ben and his friends started their own record label, Sifter Grim. His musical projects have taken him around the world. In the fall of 2021, Ben’s solo project toured Europe and the following year his band toured the US and Canada, completing upwards of 46 shows in a 7 week period.

In addition to being a mentor and teacher to all ages and walks of life, Ben is knowledgeable of various other stringed instruments, genres, techniques, and theory. He believes that small steps over time yield great rewards and that having fun is a key ingredient for motivation and accomplishing goals. Ben also believes that setting smaller goals more frequently is the gateway to progress, achieving harder techniques and more proficient skills. With 20 years of playing experience, Ben can speak many musical languages such as pop, alternative, metal, jazz, bossa nova, blues and more. He believes lessons should be fun and motivating which is a vital component of learning and progress.

 

Katherine Allen -Voice, Piano Instructor

Katherine Allen

Katherine is a singer, pianist and guitar player originally from Pullman, Washington. Although she has been singing since she could speak, she truly fell in love with music at the age of 12 when she started taking formal voice lessons, and her passion only grew as she spent the rest of her childhood and teenage years in choirs, musicals and competitions. This passion led her to pursue music at a post-secondary level, where she completed her Bachelor's of Music degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Victoria just across the water in Canada. For the last 5 years she has lived in Victoria, studying music as well as teaching privately. It is here that she discovered her love for not only performing music, but also for being a part of other people's musical journeys. Inspired by the amazing teachers that consistently shaped the trajectory of her life,

Katherine prioritizes creating a welcoming, fun and judgment-free teaching space. She has gained expertise in many different genres including classical, musical theater, contemporary and jazz, and enjoys building an individual and customizable lesson plan for each student depending on their desires. Katherine whole-heartedly believes that everybody has the potential to be a great musician and looks forward to contributing to the community!

 

Morgan Wick - Guitar, Bass and Ukulele

Morgan Wick

Morgan Wick began playing Guitar at the age of 12 and quickly found his passion. His first love has always been rock music. He played in several rock bands growing up in Palmer, Alaska. After a few years he decided to get more serious and began studying classical and jazz guitar, as well as performing in one of the top concert choirs in the state.

Morgan decided to pursue music as a career and attended the Lionel Hampton School of Music, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance in 2010. In his time there he studied under Professor James Reid, as well as working extensively with Vern Sielert, Professor of Jazz Studies, and Daniel Bukvich, Professor of Percussion and Composition. Having performed in a variety of bands ranging from Rock, Metal, Blues, Funk, Fusion, Jazz, as well as classical ensembles, Morgan has a diverse number of styles at his disposal. His most notable influences are progressive rock and metal bands such as Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree and Rush as well as jazz fusion and instrumental guitar music. Primarily an electric guitarist, Morgan likes to blend technical proficiency with the soulfulness of blues and jazz, and the sophistication of classical music. He has performed with dozens of ensembles across the Northwest and has composed for rock bands, jazz combos, choirs, and video games.

pexels-cottonbro-3662762.jpg
 

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Give a customized e-gift card in any amount and inspire someone today!

1024x768-battleship-grey-solid-color-background.jpg

What do we do?

Private Weekly Music Lessons in Guitar, Piano, Voice, Bass, Ukulele, Ear Training, Music Theory and Production

Where are we located?

4000 Aurora Ave N.png

At 4000 Aurora Ave N Seattle, WA 98103

What does it cost?

Weekly private half hour lessons cost $40

How do you bill?

Lessons are billed for consecutive weeks a month at a time through a major credit card.

How do I sign up?

After your free introductory lesson, if you decide to continue, you will fill out a short contract authorizing us to charge your credit card for the remaining lessons in the month. Afterwards you will be auto-charged for monthly sessions on the 28th of each month for the upcoming month of lessons.

What’s the monthly charge?

It depends on how many time your lesson day occurs in the upcoming month. If it is 4 weeks you will be charged $160 (5 week sessions are $200). Sometimes there are shorter sessions because of holidays.

What if I need to stop?

Simply let us know in writing by the 27th of the month. We’ll take you off the schedule and not bill you for the upcoming month.

What about missed lessons?

Sound Music School does not refund or pro-rate sessions based on student availability. The sessions are billed in consecutive weeks to reserve the time with a designated instructor. However, with 48 hours advanced notice, make-up lessons can be scheduled for pre-planned absences. Missed lessons do not pro-rate future sessions. There are no refunds for early termination of a monthly session. Sound Music School will provide a sub in the event of a teacher’s absence. If we end up cancelling any paid session time you will be offered a full cash refund.

Contact Us

 

Our Location

4000 Aurora Ave N Suite 201
Seattle, WA, 98103
United States