Lessons

Piano with music book

Classic Pianos has six private music studios and a 100-seat capacity recital hall -- offering music lessons and recital space for children and adults.

Judith Stabler — piano and voice teacher, has been teaching and performing for 30 years. As a teacher of piano and voice, her students range from beginners to adults who are returning to music after years away. Some have gone on to become opera singers, musical theater performers, teachers, and members of select choirs. Judi Stabler has appeared as a concert pianist, organist, accompanist, and vocal soloist. As vocal soloist she has appeared with Warsaw Philharmonic, Latvia National Symphony, opera companies -- and orchestras in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Alaska -- as well as vocal soloist at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and Temple Beth Israel, Portland. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Montana College. Judi has completed coursework in music theory, history, piano, voice, diction, and languages at Whitworth College, Spokane, Wash.; Montana State University, Bozeman; Portland State University; and Stanford University. She has been a member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) since 1980. Judi Stabler believes that every student is inherently musical. "It's my job — and joy — to discover that talent and do everything I can to bring it out. Through the beauty of music, I'm really teaching my students to become fully engaged with themselves and the world around them. We have fun, too!" she says. Judi Stabler can be contacted through her studio at Classic Pianos for schedule and availability.

George Cheshier — pianist and organist, has been a professional musician since 1974. In 1995, he earned a Master of Science in Music with his degree in teaching from Portland State University (PSU.) At PSU George studied piano with Harold Gray and Andrew Hill. George's performing experience spans all types of music -- from classical and jazz to rock and Broadway tunes. As well as maintaining his private teaching studio at Classic Pianos, George shares his love of teaching with children at Southeast Portland Community Music Center, and is the piano instructor for the Senior recreation section of Portland Parks and Recreation. He serves as the accompanist for the choirs at Holy Family Parish, and is in frequent demand as a performer of jazz and classical piano. His most recent project is playing jazz organ in the trio, "Organized." George is available for private lessons at Classic Pianos on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Jeff Baxter — pianist, is a creative pianist who enjoys performing and teaching all styles of music from classical to rock. His fresh perspective on music makes him a very popular teacher among his students. Jeff holds a Bachelor in Music degree from Portland State University, where he continues studies with concert pianist/teacher/recording artist Dr. Susan Chan. Jeff has played piano since age four and has music throughout his family for several generations. He has played in numerous ensembles, performing music from Copland to Coltrane — and original compositions. Jeff has a strong love of classical music, traditional and modern, and desires to provide a structured and well-rounded musical education for his students. His instruction includes improvisation and theory, instilling a love of music and developing his students' abilities to their fullest potential — professional or hobbyist, advanced or beginner, adult or child. Jeff teaches at Classic Pianos.
James Walls — pianist, teacher, consultant, has spent his entire lifetime in the music industry. Although Jim played piano at age five, it was at South Salem High School that he began to study piano seriously. As a Liberal Arts major at University of Oregon, Jim studied piano and theory for two years with Dr. John Hamilton (prodigy of Wanda Landowska,) and was also tympanist in the University of Oregon Symphonic Band. He was graduated from University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee (Episcopal Seminary) through its four-year Education for Ministry program (a non-ordained diploma for lay leaders). For 21 years Jim studied music theory and jazz piano from Mary Field — Portland's jazz icon; and 12 years of coaching with San Francisco's Jim Rousey. For over seven years Jim was coached in classical repertoire, technique, and interpretation by Katherine George — Principal Pianist for the Oregon Symphony Orchestra (retired 2007 after 44 years of service). Jim has appeared on BBC Radio 2, London, and in the 1960s recorded a weekly musical program on Portland's KXL Radio 750 (Down Memory Lane.) As a writer of student workbooks, scales, patterns, improvisation, scale grid charts, music theory — classical and jazz idioms — Jim teaches at Classic Pianos.