School News

"For 20 years, Alan has played 1st Mandolin with me on 2nd Mandolin, in groups of every size, from duo to orchestra.  He has taught me everything I know about reading music and classical mandolin tremolo technique - and most of all - how to play with emotion.

Alan is a brilliant musician with a deep understanding and feeling for the...

"Not only does Alan know his instuments well, but he is patient and encouraging to players.  He knows how much challenge to give and makes me feel successful.  This keeps me wanting to learn more!"
--Marilyn

Recording artist and songwriter Taylor Begert is an alumnus of Charles McCrone's guitar program:  www.myspace.com/jenkinseast

Singer Lindee Hoshikawa is an alumna of Charles McCrone's guitar program: www.myspace.com/lindeesings

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.

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

Guitarist Ian Brudnicki is an alumnus of Charles McCrone's guitar and rock class programs:  www.myspace.com/ianbrudnickitrio

I think Sandy is a good teacher, he makes sure you know your beats by practicing rudiments. When you get better at playing the drums he helps you with songs you like.
--Zach D (13 year old student)

" 'Music for Little Mozarts' provides a unique alternative to classes where the children march in a circle beating rhythm sticks.  The class offers an enriched learning experience that goes far beyond the marching, but still remains active and enjoyable for the children.  The unique curriculum incorporates singing, rhythm, music reading, and even fun characters and coloring.  My son is...

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 there was a variety in the class.  Outside of a very basic public school music background with no follow up...

"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 her enthusiasm for music instilled a great appreciation and love for music in both our kids. She was always attentive...

"Olivia is loving her harp lessons with Meg. Thanks!"
-- Monique

"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 guidance, Phillip has grown leaps and bounds in his trumpet playing.  He went from someone who could barely blow properly...

"We have truly enjoyed being in the piano lessons.  Not only has it been a revelation to see how instrument instruction can happen at this early age - with my son being not quite 6 years, it was wonderful to see how good you are with working with kids.  Despite the initial hiccups of the kids being sometimes  reluctant to participate, you knew...

Way Too Loose guitarist Doug Faber is an alumnus of Charles McCrone's guitar program:  www.myspace.com/waytooloose

"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

"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 of a friend to me as well as a teacher." 
-- Kathleen Borden (teen student)

"I'm an adult taking guitar lessons with Bob Limbocker. I think he's a great teacher, and I'm learning a lot of technique, theory, and practical music. I highly recommend Bob."
-- Andrew

"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."
-- Tarik (adult student)

We're very happy with Sandy!  My daughter has been taken lessons since February and really enjoys each one.  She can read drum music, plays a number of beats and plays a few songs she likes.  He has kept it fun which translates into her sticking with it (so to speak).
--Jeff Jones (parent)

"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 keep them interested and motivated and most important, how to make learning piano fun and rewarding for them.

We always looked...

"We are taking piano lessons from Diana Quick.    She's been great and my son really likes her.  Thanks!"
-- Robin :)

"I think Bob Limbocker is a wonderful teacher. He is attentive to our particular goals and learning styles, and doesn't gloss over the important lessons, like theory. The theory is taught and then applied with a song of the student's choice, which I think is great because it helps me understand the theory in action and actually practice its use."

"Hello…I’d like to comment on Masa.  He teaches my son electric guitar on Monday afternoons.  He has done a terrific job.  He holds him accountable to practice each week and calls him on it when he has not practiced.  He also asked him which songs he’d like to learn and has taught him those.  It’s a great fit.  Thanks!"
--...

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

"At 7 years old I wasn't sure my son had the patience and understanding to play the guitar even though he wanted to.  Bob however has been able to teach him patiently while keeping him motivated and interested through all the lessons.  My son looks forward to lessons every week and remembers to practice at home on his own.  I'm...

"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 next year"
--Robin Wood, public school music teacher

"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)

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

"My son really wanted to learn to play the guitar but at just age six I thought it would be too challenging for him. Greg has proved to us that with inspired teaching age is not an issue. Each week my son’s love for music and his guitar grows. We are so pleased to have found Greg in Issaquah."

"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 my son always looked forward to the lessons.
Pete taught my son the basics of playing the trumpet and guided...

"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 and study of piano fun and exciting, allowing Lauren to pursue music of her choosing while ensuring that the literature...

"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 based on lessons every other week due to Kati’s busy schedule.  Kati is now a senior in High School and...

"Two of my children are in lessons with Masa, one for Bass and one for Guitar. I have one in Metal Shop and so far he is having a blast."
--Paul (parent)

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

Peter Tilton, guitarist for rocking local teen band Trace, is a Kaleidoscope student:  www.facebook.com/traceofficial

"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, reading music, playing by ear, etc.).  Kathy is not a cookie cutter piano teacher. She does a great job figuring out each...

"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

"Working with Bob has been really great. He has been very dedicated in working me through some of the hardest things, and he always has a ton of ways to show me what he's talking about.. Bob also has a wide variety of expertise, which has been nice because although I started learning because I wanted to play more rock...

Actor and voice teacher Dylan Bandy www.dylanbandy.com is an alumna of Charles McCrone's guitar and rock class programs.

"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

"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)

"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)

"Diane is a marvelous teacher and is most certainly an inspiration for her students. Her love of music is apparent to anyone who has seen her at work.  Diane is the ideal combination of fun and discipline and she commands respect from her pupils while maintaining a congenial and lively air during her lessons.  Her enthusiasm for music is infectious...

"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.  She does not criticize a student when they make a mistake - she simply reminds that no one is expected...

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

"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 how important it was for me to erase what just occurred and start in a positive way, he found a...

"Alan Jacobson is a professional Mandolinist to a very high degree. I know him as the conductor/leader of the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra and his clean playing and knowledge of the music shines through to lead his orchestra. His knowledge of mandolin music and its history is priceless in today's society."
--Brian Oberlin (Conductor and Mandolinist of the Oregon Mandolin Orchestra)

"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