Adult Music Choir in Bellingham, WA

 TRAINING: Voice, Cello

Bachelor of music cello performance: Western Washington University

Master's of Music Education: Western Washington University (graduating 2025)

ABOUT BEN:

 Ben’s musical background is extensive and diverse. Half of his life has been spent in the concert hall with the cello and voice, and the other half has been spent in cultural contexts including Powwow, the Lummi Blackhawk Singers, Ecclesiastical settings, and a lengthy stint with the Bellingham chapter of the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers. As a cellist and vocalist, Ben has taken several tours to Europe as a principal cellist in orchestral settings, has sat principal cello appointments in the Western Washington University Symphony Orchestra, and has directed vocal ensembles ranging from 10 voices to 80-piece full choirs. Even as a child, Ben showed devotion to enhancing every scene he played music in one way or another. As a result, Ben has shown disciplined collaborative musicianship and staunch commitment to proper cultural celebration. These were primary motivators through his Performance Degree work at WWU, continuing Graduate Study in Music Education, and a planned Doctorate study in Ethnomusicology. These are also primary motivators in Ben’s teaching philosophy. Ben sees choral, orchestral, solo, chamber, folk, and beginning playing/singing all as skill sets worthy of their proper attention. Every student who learns from Ben will be treated where their skill set is at. They will also be pushed with joy and enthusiasm into the disciplined path to their dreams.   Ben teaches voice in Bellingham, WA and online.