School News

"I took lessons from Jason for about 2 years.  He helped me jumpstart my love for drums! He was always happy to help me work through any struggles or questions I had about a song, rudiment, or play-along track.  Without... read more>>

"Leah relates well to students of all ages and their parents.  She is a responsible and enthusiastic teacher that encourages and motivates her students to improve their skills while sharing her love of music.     She is a... read more>>

"I also play guitar in a band called Between the Lines at Kaleidoscope School of Music. I like this program because it gives me the experience of playing together with other people in a band and performing shows... read more>>

"I'm writing to recommend Pete Bellomo as a trumpet teacher at your music school in Issaquah.
My son took trumpet lessons from Pete from 6th through 9th grades at another music studio. He was always friendly and supportive, and... read more>>

"Cherlyn's visit to Newcastle Elementary was terrific. Mainly because of her great presentation, our elementary school has the highest enrollment in 5th grade orchestra of all of the feeder schools into Liberty. I have 4th graders lining up to join... read more>>

"Daniel Ayotte and I have played trombone and euphonium together for several years in several local musical organizations.  I believe Daniel is a fine teacher and would provide excellent instruction to students at any skill level.   Daniel’s understanding of the... read more>>

"Charles offers the background and flexibility to go wherever my interests take us. Charles simply has amazing talent and - more important - he has the ability to teach."
--Skip, age 47

"David is an excellent music teacher. He is encouraging and takes a personal interest in the success of his students. Studying with David has given Josh skills that have opened up opportunities to participate in the more advanced bands in his school,... read more>>

"Mrs. Rausch is an excellent music teacher.  She is able to bring out the best in her students, and helps to learn while making music fun! I have never heard her once raise her voice, and she is extremely patient. ... read more>>

"Tom is very skilled in many types of music…he is easy to work with and I am able to get the information I need to help me in the moment while still building my foundations for the future."
--... read more>>

"Kristi Szilak taught my daughter piano for five years, beginning when Lauren was 9 years old and concluding at age 14, guiding her from a beginning student to a talented pianist.  Kristi's strength as a instructor was making the learning... read more>>

I would highly recommend Ryan as a guitar instructor.  I took lessons with him for about 8 months and was very pleased overall with the experience. In the past I had taken music lessons for piano and flute at music... read more>>

I live in Bothell and have been taking cello lessons from Alex for about six months now. Alex is not only a highly skilled cellist but also an excellent teacher. He gives clear and focused instructions that have helped my... read more>>

I would love to tell you about Sarah Burwell. She is my violin teacher, a very good one at that. I have been her student for over a year now I can definitely say that she teaches with very much... read more>>

"I had two children who look lessons from Leah Mainard.   One was a teenager who took voice lessons for four years.   My other was a five-year old who was beginning piano lessons.   Leah was always very professional, encouraging to... read more>>

"Kathy is an exceptional teacher—unique, effective approach for truly understanding the foundation of music; she is extremely patient and tuned into her students’ needs.  I’ve enjoyed being able to participate and fill in gaps in my own music education."
-- A.R.... read more>>

"After your guitar recital, my kids are deliriously proud of themselves; their smiles just light up the room tonight.  Will was going to ad lib tonight when introducing himself;  he wanted to do a monologue on how much he loves... read more>>

"I took drum lessons from Jason for over a year and the thing that sticks out in my mind the most when I think back is his great attitude!  I would always get a great big smile at the door... read more>>

Cyril Silverman of Orison is an alumnus of Charles McCrone's Metal Class program: www.myspace.com/myorison

"The [Educated Ears] class is excellent. More than just building music skills, it builds community and gives great modeling for respectful student/teacher relationships."
-- Don and Karrie Sutkus (parents)

"For the past four years we have had the pleasure of having Pete Bellomo as a trumpet tutor to our son Phillip.  We cannot express how fortunate our son has been to have Mr. Bellomo as his tutor.  Under Pete’s... read more>>

"We bought about 4 flute lessons at our school auction. . . My daughter had just started in the band as a flutist, and I spontaneously decided that maybe she could use a few lessons. Alastair was wonderful as he... read more>>

My daughter had no prior music lessons of any sort, and was very nervous for her first lesson with Ryan.  He put her at ease immediately and had her smiling and laughing within the first 5 minutes.  By the end... read more>>

"Tiger's strong points were an ability to motivate and nurture yet set goals... and an ability to teach in different ways to adapt to my learning style"
--Cecile Thomas

"Pete Bellomo is one of those people that every Mother wants in their children’s life. We first met Pete after an extremely bad experience with another private teacher. He did not have any openings at the time. When I explained... read more>>

"Very talented instructor. Knows how to teach kids and keep them motivated and energized."
-- Nilendu (father)

"John Marino has been teaching guitar to my son, Niall, for the past several months.  Niall is 11 years old, and has been studying popular guitar for 3 years.  We were delighted to come across John when we moved to... read more>>

Will Holmes, an alumnus of Charles McCrone's guitar program, and his band Great Waves won EMP's 2010 Sound Off! competition

Alex has been teaching my daughter and me cello for a couple of months now and I have really have appreciated Alex's approach, which is very different.  I like to take the time to really know and understand the bow... read more>>

"I did not know what to expect [from an Educated Ears class].  If pressed, I suppose I thought [my girls] would learn some songs.  What they have learned, however, has been far more valuable.  They are learning foundations of music. ... read more>>

"Working with Charles brought me from the amateur to the professional."
-- Recording artist, Ben Schor, 22

"Sarah Burwell has been working with my child for 3 years now.  Sarah has been such a caring, smart, professional and patient teacher.  When my child is feeling frustrated with the challenge of learning to play the violin, she has... read more>>

"After 5+ years of different music classes/teachers, I feel confident that this [Educated Ears] class/method and Kathy Rausch are a great fit.  The class has engaged [my children] and they are both happy to go to music class in addition... read more>>

"I took voice lessons from Leah Mainard for 4 years.  She is kind and not overbearing.  She goes at the pace of the student so as not to overwhelm them, but she also challenges the student to branch... read more>>

"I've been taking 1 hour lessons for a couple of months now. Was at a beginner level when we started and I've drastically improved in both theory and technique. So far we've mainly focused on jazz, but he's definitely comfortable... read more>>

"Lessons with Tiger were much more than vocal technique. They were unique, completely fresh and the honesty was a welcome respite"
--Catherine Henderson (backup singer, the Rockits)

"We’ve played classical music for our kids since the day they were born.  Today was the first time I ever heard [my son] sing in tune."
-- Jeff (father)

"Charles is one of my favorite people...ever! It's been 16 years since I took lessons from you. I'm still involved in music heavily - can't thank you enough for what you taught me, I'm so glad you are still teaching... read more>>

"Educated Ears surpassed my expectations.  It differs from the usual type of classes which are redundant due to repetitiveness.  I now have more tools which used to be in my subconscious now opened up for me to use.  Kathy really... read more>>

"We bought about 4 flute lessons at our school auction. . . My daughter had just started in the band as a flutist, and I spontaneously decided that maybe she could use a few lessons. Alastair was wonderful as he... read more>>

"My son, Sean, took trombone lessons from Daniel Ayotte during the sixth grade. This early coaching added to his success and in seventh grade he earned a spot in the first honor band. Daniel was a very patient and knowledgeable... read more>>

"Pete Bellomo taught our daughter Kati private trumpet lessons from the 5^th through 9^th grade.  During that time Kati qualified for the Lake Washington School District Elementary School honor band and her Junior High Jazz Band.  And this was just... read more>>

"I had been playing/studying conga drums for over a decade and became hungry for a wider perspective on drumming in regards to musicality, theory, and performance. Jason Edwards was the spot-on teacher I was looking for.  He enthusiastically took on... read more>>

"Kathy taught my daughters music last fall. She is a WONDERFUL teacher and very knowledgeable. My daughters enjoyed the class very much and learned a great deal. I would definitely recommend her to anyone."
-- Daniela (parent)

"I like Mrs. Rausch as a teacher because she teaches to make things easier, or if they are easy, makes them even easier. Also, she is fun and very nice."
-- Megan

"I am writing in regard to the wonderful years when our children, Tom and Allison, were lucky enough to take piano lessons from Kristi Thompson Szilak. Over a period of three years, Kristi was our wonderfully skilled piano teacher and... read more>>

"My son was frustrated with his violin playing 14 months ago and was considering quitting, even though he loved playing with his friends at the MVYSO.  My wife and I convinced him to try a new teacher, and received several... read more>>

"We recently moved to the Seattle area and John Marino has been teaching us both guitar (my husband and son) and piano (me and my son).  He is a very personable instructor and we have been very happy working with... read more>>

"John Marino has been teaching our son Patrick bass guitar weekly for about the last six months.  Patrick enjoys every lesson and we really appreciate John’s enthusiasm.  Patrick has made leaps and bounds in his musical ability, his music appreciation,... read more>>

I recently had the privilege of taking a music introductory course with Kathy Rausch.  Both of my daughters (ages 9 & 10) took the class with me.  Kathy’s teaching style cut across all age borders and skill levels, of which... read more>>

Max McDevitt, an alumnus of Charles McCrone's guitar and rock class programs, has opened for international metal acts Lacuna Coil, Sonata Arctica and Epica, with his North Bend group If I Were a Gladiator.

Sarah Burwell is a first class violinist whom we first met when she was first violin with the Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra. She has played for many years in the Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, both as an orchestra... read more>>

"I started taking lessons from Charles in kindergarten. Now I like playing my guitar more than any other activity."
--Shila, age 10

"Sam is a great drum teacher.  Since I am a beginner adult drum student he is a very patient,  excellent teacher.  He helped me learn some standard beats right away which boosted my confidence. He always combined fun with technique.... read more>>

"Having lessons with Tiger has helped me drastically improve my vocal skills in the short time I have thus far taken lessons. I can't wait to see how much more I can improve in the future. She has become more... read more>>

"I've been meaning to tell you how much I appreciate your dedication to music in such a comprehensive way.  We're so used to sports getting all the energy and attention, so to have a music school that's as dedicated to... read more>>

Two members of the Cold Cold Ground, Zan Ferguson and Ben Applegate, are alumni of Charles McCrone's guitar program: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cold-Cold-Ground/106102636524

"Thank you for making me sing and play my songs for an audience at your recitals, for teaching me to play an instrument I can no longer live without, for motivating and encouraging me when I was frustrated, and for... read more>>

"You have a great way of making Kylin feel comfortable and proud to sing her heart out! It's so fun to watch her develop" 
-- Lindsay Andreotti, parent of Kylin (age 8)

"My children have been taking music classes from Kathy for five years and piano for three. She is a fabulous teacher who teaches music from a holistic approach. She focuses on every aspect of music (singing, warming up, notes, dancing,... read more>>

"Peter was honestly the best teacher I have ever had"
--Jessica Jocoy

"Sam's teaching has helped me go from just struggling to keep a beat to incorporating new techniques and styles into my playing in only a couple months.  He's a versatile drummer and great about teaching me what I want to... read more>>

I was a self-taught guitar player who was interested in learning more about music in general and in becoming more sophisticated in my playing.  Ryan knocked me right out of my comfort zone on our first meeting and has kept... read more>>

"I have 2 children taking lessons from Caroline and they love her!  Sophie (8 yrs) says she is "fantastic and creative" Grace (10 yrs) says Caroline "gives good demonstrations to make a complicated piece more easy for me to understand"... read more>>

"Kristi taught my two children piano for several years, since they were 5 and 7 respectively and it was a wonderful experience. Kristi is very personable, patient and a good listener. She knows how to work with children and how to... read more>>

At the tender age of 4 our son, Heston, decided that he wanted to play the violin which at that point we started down a new path to try and find a violin teacher.  Our family initially met Sarah at... read more>>

"Charles lets us bring what we want to learn, but he also teaches what we need to know, like showing me the blues scale by playing Black Flag".
--Shane, age 15

"Caroline is my daughter’s personal violin instructor as well as her after school orchestra instructor.  It is without reservation that I wholeheartedly endorse her as an instructor.  She exhibits patience and thoughtfulness throughout my daughter’s lessons and is always prepared... read more>>