Piano 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.

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. Phone: 971.227.2470 Email: csharp26@yahoo.com
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 organ, with emphasis on Baroque literature, 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; and from the highly respected Berklee College of Music, Boston, through its Certification Program in Keyboard Skills. For 21 years Jim continued private studies in music theory and jazz piano from Mary Field, Portland's jazz icon; and 12 years of coaching with San Francisco's renowned pianist / teacher / composer Jim Rousey. For over 10 years Jim was coached in classical repertoire, technique, and interpretation by Katherine George — principal pianist / keyboardist for the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, retired in 2007 after 44 years of service. Jim's collaboration with Ms. George continues to this day, with emphasis on teaching methods and piano pedagogy. Jim is active in attending workshops, master classes with visiting world-class concert pianists, and concerts presented by Portland Piano International, as well as the piano series of the Oregon Symphony. 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, and music theory — both classical and jazz idioms — Jim teaches at Classic Pianos. Memberships and affiliations include the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and Oregon Music Teachers Association (OMTA). Jim specializes in teaching students – from age four to 84 – to know what they are doing (theory / harmonic structure), and how to get the best sound (technique / tone production). Studio Phone: 503-643-5354 E-mail: ArtImagesM@aol.com
Karen Y-May Yuen — pianist, accompanist, teacher, began playing piano at age five. Possessing unique gifts for teaching children, Karen believes in early ear training, learning in groups with parent participation, learning music as a natural language — with emphasis on solfege and singing skills. She was graduated with a Bachelors in Music (Honours) degree from University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. In addition, Karen has a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (specializing in music) from University of Reading, United Kingdom. In September 2005 she completed coursework for Suzuki Piano Basics Foundation. In 2007 Karen was certified through the Yamaha Music Education System (YMES) and can teach four-year olds in group classes. Karen has specialized training with small children and has taught music in England (Gymboree Play & Music Programme — Cambridge) for children 18 months to three years old, with parent participation; music lessons in theory and practical for pupils age 5-16 (St. John's Church of England Primary School — Ipswich); and provided piano lessons for students of various ages from beginners to Grade 8, in both theory and practical examinations, conducted by the United Kingdom Associated Board of the Royal School Music (ABRSM) and Trinity College of Music (TCM).
Jenny Conlee-Drizos – Piano and Accordion teacher is a professional rock and folk musician and also has a strong background in classical music. Jenny received her Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Oregon State University in 1994 and has played in many bands since then (The Decemberists, Black Prairie, Calobo, The Norway Rats, etc.). She is now teaching piano and accordion to teens and adults (ages 12 and up). Jenny focuses on teaching music theory and teaching students to read and play classical music as well as play more popular styles like rock and blues. She is teaching Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in our Classic Pianos Teaching Studios. Contact her at: jbirdly@gmail.com or 503-516-7198.
Tamara King - Piano teacher studied piano from the age of six in Romania. She graduated from the University of Brasov, Romania with a BA in Music. Her major teachers were Gabriela Popescu and Istvan Agoston. She studied three more years at the G. Dima Conservatory of Music in Cluj-Napoca, with emphasis in Music Theory, Solfege, Choral Conducting & Piano. After graduation she taught classroom music three yearsin the public schools of Beresti, Romania, as well as directing the school choir & local teachers' chorus. She subsequently moved to the city of Sfintu Gheorge and taught beginning piano and prepared more advanced students for end-of-year recitals. After leaving Romania and moving to Portland in 1984, she has taught at several music stores, in a home studio, and at the Metropolitan Learning Center in NW Portland. She has twice been certified as a Yamaha music teacher, and taught class piano and individual lessons at the Yamaha Music School in Lake Oswego. She is presently teaching at Classic Pianos & in her home studio. Contact: 503-246-4815