“Our first teacher is our own heart.”  ~ Cheyenne

Elena and Paul Houser
Photograph by Andrea Marchese

Background and Philosophy~

My life as a musician began early: At age 3, they put me on a church platform and I sang. I began piano lessons at age 4, voice lessons at 15, continuing both beyond my years at Whitman College where I majored in English literature and education. I opened my teaching studio in 1983.

My teaching style is student-centered because it has been both my observation and my experience that we learn best when we have the freedom to follow the trail of what interests and excites us.  We all have a compelling and unique internal path that is ours to discover if we hope to feel alive.

Fee Policy~

Tuition is charged on a monthly basis, due the first lesson of each month, and determined by whether your weekly lesson is half an hour, 45 minutes, or an hour.  My hourly rate is $50.

Missed lessons are not reimbursed or rescheduled.

Piano lessons are weekly.  With adult voice lessons, though weekly lessons are preferred, we can negotiate around terror and fear of feeling like a fool to find some agreeable frequency of lessons.

Practice~

Learning music takes regular practice over a long period of time.  However I work with you wherever you are when you walk in the door.  Every stage of learning has interest and delight; students who discover this have the best experiences.

Performance~

Although performance proficiency is not the goal of my teaching, I organize recitals several times a year for students who want to perform.   Adult students can participate in the Terrified Adults and Spotlight Whores Sunday Afternoon Musicales.

Piano~

I teach all styles of beginning to advanced piano, music theory, and improvisation.  I help you learn what you want to learn.

Piano for small hands~

I taught pre-school music for five years and have never forgotten what it feels like to be a child.  If your child’s hands are not ready for piano, we can still get started with music symbols, rhythms, songs, exploring the piano, and making a music book; and see where that takes us.

Voice~

Everyone can sing.  With a little help, anyone can sing with more freedom and pleasure.  I teach the basics that prepare you for any style of singing. I also teach folk, musical comedy; and beginning and advanced classical singing.

Singing is not about looking glamorous on stage.  It’s about feeling your life resonating within your body, the rush of your breath in your throat and the sound of your song in the air.  You can experience this with or without an audience.

The OK Chorale ~

I believe everyone is meant to sing, no matter how well or badly. Technological advances that can produce near perfect recordings have also produced so much performance anxiety that ordinary people are afraid to make even a peep.  The OK Chorale is a four-part harmony, adult choir where the rehearsals are fun and no one gets hurt.  www.okchoraleseattle.com

And finally, Watercolor ~

I bring the same philosophy to painting as I do to making music.  I teach private beginning lessons and classes called Flowing With the Paint.