Piano Teachers
Ben Rosenblatt
TRAINING: Piano
Master's Degree: Piano Performance, Bachelors Degree: Piano Performance
ABOUT BEN:
Ben Rosenblatt began studying music at the age of 10 after falling in love with the music from Phantom of the Opera. He earned his bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from Gonzaga University in 2010 while studying with Greg Presley, and earned his master's degree in Piano Performance from Western Washington University in 2015 while studying with Jeff Gilliam. Ben enjoys teaching even more than he enjoys performing, and he has over 10 years of experience teaching students of all ages. Ben currently teaches lessons in Skagit and Whatcom Counties
Jaemee Kim
TRAINING: Piano
Bachelors Degree: Piano Performance
ABOUT JAEMEE:
Jaemee Kim is a pianist and teacher and earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Western Washington University. Jaemee has been a featured pianist at music festivals and was a finalist at the WWU Concerto Competition. Since 2010, aside from performing, Jaemee has developed a wide range of teaching skills through her interactions with students. As a music instructor, Jaemee hopes to inspire students to find joy in learning music as well as in sharing music with others. She prioritizes understanding each of her individual students' ways of learning and to spark their creativity as music makers. Jaemee teaches in both Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
Amelia Nye
TRAINING: Piano
Bachelors Degree: Piano Performance
ABOUT AMELIA:
Amelia Nye began her piano studies at the age of 5 after being inspired by an exceptional church piano accompanist. She began teaching piano lessons in her hometown of Port Orchard when she was just 16, and 4 years later moved to Western Washington University to pursue a degree in piano performance. Amelia graduated from Western Washington University in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in piano performance, studying under Milica Jeleca-Jovanovic and Kay Zavislak. Amelia currently teaches in Whatcom County.
Joanna Zagelow
TRAINING: Piano
Nationally Certified Piano Teacher:
Music Teachers National Association
ABOUT JOANNA:
Joanna Zagelow’s piano career started when she was only five years old. In 1996 she opened her own piano studio with great success and became a full time piano teacher. Joanna has always had a dedication to being the best teacher she can be and in 2008 she received the honor of becoming state and nationally certified with the Music Teachers National Association. Joanna has studied with Linda Wilson, Shirley Haley, and Nancy Wilson. Joanna is an active member of the Skagit Valley chapter of the Music Teacher Association. Joanna teaches in Skagit and Whatcom Counties.
Peyton Winterowd-Laughman
TRAINING: Piano
Bachelor's Degree: Composition (current student at WWU)
Piano: Formal studies with Dr. Merilyn S. Jacobson
Violin: Formal studies with Shari Leavons, Walter Schwede, & Laura Camacho
ABOUT PEYTON:
Peyton began studying violin at the age of 8. She has played in numerous state choirs, orchestras, and the Tacoma Youth Symphony. Peyton has also had the privilege of studying piano with Dr. Merilyn Jacobson. Peyton is currently pursuing a degree in music composition at Western Washington University where she also studies piano, violin, and plays in the Western Washington University Symphony. Peyton believes that students learn best when they enjoy the learning experience. She takes care to ensure her students can measure their progress and take pride in their accomplishments. She strives to incorporate relevant context, history, and music appreciation in all her lessons. Peyton teaches in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Victor Smith
TRAINING: Piano
Piano: Formal studies with professor Nancy Weems
Theory & Composition: Moores School of Music, Houston TX.
ABOUT VIC:
Vic Smith is an active professional performer, composer/arranger and teacher with over 40 years’ experience. He studied theory and composition at the Moores School of Music in Houston TX. with Dr. Robert Nelson and piano with renowned concert pianist and professor, Nancy Weems. Vic teaches guitar and bass from beginner to advanced levels and piano with a focus on technique, theory, harmony and composition. Vic strives to help his students gain musicality and understanding on their chosen instrument as well as a more general concept of function and form in music. Emphasizing practice techniques, fundamentals and analysis, his main goal is to help students learn how to teach themselves as they proceed on their musical journey. Vic teaches in Whatcom County.
String Teachers
Yelena Nelson
TRAINING: Violin, Viola
Bachelor’s Degree: Violin Performance and Pedagogy from Sergei Rachmaninov Conservatory, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
ABOUT YELENA:
Yelena Nelson has more than twenty years of teaching experience. Yelena’s passion for classical violin began when she started taking lessons at the age of nine. Yelena holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy from Sergei Rachmaninov Conservatory in Rostov-on-Don, Russia where she studied with Professor Alexander Mileikovsky. Upon graduating from the Conservatory, Yelena performed with the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Rostov-on-Don Philharmonic for fifteen years, and after moving to the US in 2000, she joined the first violin section of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra. Since then, Yelena has assisted teaching music at local public schools, including Ferndale High School and Fairhaven Middle School. She is also a long time member of the Whatcom Choral Sinfonia and the Chamber Choral Orchestra. In 2000 Yelena founded her private studio and continues to share her love of music by teaching violin and viola to everyone from beginner to advanced. During her lessons, Yelena guides her students’ development through continuously supporting their growing talents and individuality. Yelena teaches in Whatcom County.
Tara Weaver
TRAINING: Violin, Viola, Cello
Bachelor of Arts: Education, Violin Performance: WWU, Indiana University School of Music
ABOUT TARA:
Tara Kaiyala Weaver brings nearly 30 years of teaching, coaching and playing experience to EMS, with a special ability to inspire and grow students of any age and ability. Tara began violin at just 18 months old, was performing by age 3, and was in intensive chamber and orchestral studies soon after. Having moved back to the Pacific Northwest in 2016 to live near her children, Mrs. Weaver spent the past twelve years as Violin Faculty at Pipestone School of Music in Twisp, WA. Tara was Conductor of the Pipestone Youth Orchestra for 7 years, Conductor of the Pipestone Orchestra for 4 years, facilitated the music scholarship program and yearly summer music camps, led the Tamarack String Quartet, performed regular recitals, soloed multiple times with both orchestras in Okanogan County and is a composer with a performance project in the works on-line. Tara has premiered several of her pieces and won numerous awards and performance competitions including 1st place at the WA state solo & ensemble competition, and 2nd place at the Seattle Young Artist competition. Formerly, Tara was a member of the Pipestone Orchestra, Okanogan Valley Orchestra, Wenatchee Valley Symphony and Everett Philharmonic, and is a current member of Whatcom Symphony and Chamber Orchestra as well as Starry Night Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and String Quartet. Mrs. Weaver has been the Viola Coach for the Fidalgo Youth Symphony for 2 years, and is Faculty at Sounds of Summer Music Festival. She continues to teach violin, viola and cello in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Flute Teachers
David Zagelow
TRAINING: Flute, Piccolo, Early Childhood Music Education
Bachelor's Degree: Flute performance
Certified Suzuki Flute Instructor
Certified Musik Garten Instructor
David Zagelow opened Evergreen Music School in 2003 and has been teaching flute ever since. David started as a Suzuki student himself in 1985. In 1998 David went on to receive his Bachelors of Music in Flute Performance from Central Washington University. In 2003 David became a certified Suzuki instructor and then in 2009 he became a certified Musikgarten instructor. David has studied with Kenichi Ueda, Dr. Hal Ott, Daniel Rangel, and Autumn Woods Keller. David has played with numerous groups throughout his career including the Skagit Symphony, META Performing Arts, Theatre Arts Guild, Willow Ensemble of Boston, the CWU Flute Choir, and the CWU Wind Ensemble. David has also been a soloist at the National Flute Convention and was the principle flute and piccolo player for the world premier of Remembering 911. David is an active performer in the area and teaches Suzuki flute and Musikgarten in several locations in Skagit and Whatcom counties.
Guitar Teachers
Frank Rowland
TRAINING:
Acoustic, Classical, & Electric Guitar
Bachelor's Degree: BA in Music
ABOUT FRANK:
Frank Rowland began playing the acoustic guitar at the age of thirteen and moved on to electric guitar one year later. Since then Frank has discovered a passion for classical music and the beauty and technicality of the classical guitar. A two-time winner of the Washington Regional Solo & Ensemble competition, Frank has gone on to study with Professor David Feingold at Western Washington University. Frank has also performed numerous solo recitals and in the Western Guitar Orchestra. Frank graduated from Western with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in the spring of 2017 and has since maintained a steady series of performances with the Bellingham based progressive metal band Tetrachromat. Frank currently teaches in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Victor Smith
TRAINING: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Theory & Composition: Moores School of Music, Houston TX.
ABOUT VIC:
Vic Smith is an active professional performer, composer/arranger and teacher with over 40 years’ experience. He studied theory and composition at the Moores School of Music in Houston TX. with Dr. Robert Nelson and piano with renowned concert pianist and professor, Nancy Weems. Vic teaches guitar and bass from beginner to advanced levels and piano with a focus on technique, theory, harmony and composition. Vic strives to help his students gain musicality and understanding on their chosen instrument as well as a more general concept of function and form in music. Emphasizing practice techniques, fundamentals and analysis, his main goal is to help students learn how to teach themselves as they proceed on their musical journey. Vic teaches in Whatcom County.
Dave Lyon
TRAINING: Acoustic, Classical, Electric , & Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, Banjo
Bachelor's Degree: Music Education
Master's Degree: Transpersonal Psychology
ABOUT DAVE:
Dave has a BA in Music Education from Eastern Washington University (where he studied trombone with Rich Obregon) and a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology. He continues to teach low brass but since graduating from Eastern in 1990, he began studying the guitar more seriously. Studying with world class teachers, Milo Peterson, Chuck Israel's, and Jamie Findlay. He then began noticing the connections between all stringed, fretted instruments and currently performs and teaches guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin and banjo. Dave teaches in Whatcom County.
Drum Set & Percussion Teachers
Nathan Matson
EDUCATION: Drum Set, Snare Drum, Hand Percussion, Mallet Percussion Including Marimba
Formal Studies: University of Wyoming, Dr. Cathy Livings
AA Degree: Percussion, Laramie County Community College
Bachelor's Degree: BSW Social Work, University of Wyoming
ABOUT NATHAN:
Nathan is a multi-percussionist who teaches snare drumming, drum set, hand percussion and mallets. Originally from Cody, Wyoming he began private instruction at age 11. This led to years of study from several teachers. Subsequently, Nathan was selected for three years consecutively to the Wyoming All-State Honor Band, which led to a music scholarship at the University of Wyoming. While there he studied percussion with Cathy Livings PhD. Although entering as a music major, he graduated with a BSW degree in Social Work, followed by completion of an MSW degree from Colorado State University. He then spent 7 years working in the field of youth services. Still, the music beckoned and in 1997 Nathan completed a degree in Music at Laramie County Community College. Instructors included: Jane Iverson PhD (theory) and Steve Barnhart PhD (percussion). Other influences include Poncho Sanchez, Zigaboo Modeliste and Alan Dawson. Nathan maintains a love of world music, especially the marimba, mbira and drumming traditions of Zimbabwe. Nathan has been an active performer and teacher throughout his life. He currently teaches in Whatcom County.