Instructors can be reached through MIR Music.
Pricing, scheduling and course of study will be discussed directly with instructors.
RON HURST
DRUMS
Wednesday – Saturday (depending on Steppenwolf tour schedule)
Beginner to Advanced
A seasoned touring veteran, Ron’s credits also include performances with Chuck Berry and Charlie Daniels’ “Volunteer Jam” Band, as well as guest appearances with Greg Allman and the Doobie Brothers. When called to task, Ron also stepped in to play with The Guess Who and Three Dog Night (when last minute emergencies prevented their respective drummers from performing.
Ron currently resides in Portland, Oregon, where he has quickly established himself as an accredited drum instructor. When not on tour, Ron stays busy balancing teaching and session work with various international projects. Ron’s work with John Kay and Steppenwolf has made him a well sought after commodity in the music industry.
Ron Hurst has been the drummer for John Kay and Steppenwolf since 1984. He also plays and has recorded with John Kay and Friends, Kay’s most recent solo project.
Maddie Hurst
Vocals
Fridays
Maddie Hurst, a native Oregonian, is an emerging vocalist/performer known for possessing a penchant for the classic era of rock and pop music. Maddie has opened for Jack Russell’s Great White, sang a duet with Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, was featured on all local news stations, and has performed at the Moda Center twice. She has also been invited to audition for “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which she graciously declined due to scheduling conflicts. While traveling her musical journey, teaching allows Maddie to share her passion for music. She finds it incredibly rewarding to pass on her knowledge to new students, watch them grow, and experience the positive impact music has on their lives.
Diana Kravitz
Woodwinds: Saxophone, Clarinet & Flute
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Diana has been playing and teaching in numerous avenues most notably Musical Theater, Pop Orchestra, Classical orchestras as well as Jazz and Private and Ensemble instruction and Performance.
Diana has been teaching Flute,Clarinet and Saxophone for over 30 years in California and Oregon. She has taught General Music, Band and Choir in Oregon for over 25 years in Salem-Keizer, Yamhill-Carlton and the Tigard-Tualitin School districts. She has also taught at Pacific University’s Music in May Program for flute and Saxophone during the last 5 years, working with High school students throughout the northwest.
Diana has a BS in Music from WOU and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University. In addition she has a teaching License in Music K-12, Classroom teaching PP-9 and an endorsement in ESOL – English as a 2nd language
Joe Aloia
Guitar, Bass, and Ukulele
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday
Professional Musician and Teacher
A music aficionado, Joe has been performing for over 15 years and has taught for the last 10. He has a Master of Music degree from the University of Oregon in Jazz Bass and a BA in music from South Florida University. You can catch Joe playing locally or throughout the Pacific Northwest from Eugene and the Portland Metropolitan area, to Seattle.
Joe teaches all levels of guitar, bass and ukulele with an individualized approach based on each student’s goals.
Malderine Birmingham
Piano, Voice
Wednesday & Thursday
Professional Musician and Teacher
Malderine Birmingham loves teaching all styles of music to all ages and types of people. Everyone learns differently and she finds creative ways to make sure the student not only understands the concepts of music but has fun learning it. Playing music and singing are fun and practicing should be too! She believes that music helps us grow as individuals and that sometimes all we need is a little encouragement to blossom into our full potential. She teaches piano, voice and ukulele.
Malderine a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and composer. She studied piano and vocal performance at Wright State University and continued her education with various professors, instructors and professionals in the music industry. She sang with the Los Angeles Angel City Chorale and more recently with Hillsboro’s own Oregon Chorale. She has composed, recorded and produced 8 albums and directed numerous music videos. She has performed in orchestras, choirs, bands, trios and musicals. She also regularly performs in music venues around the Hillsboro/Portland area.
Michael Downs
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Professional Teacher and Musician
Michael Downs has been teaching music in Hillsboro, Oregon since 2009. He started out teaching guitar to his Mail-Man who encouraged him to search for a music store where he could teach. Since then, Michael has taught at two different locations in Hillsboro and now considers this fine town his home.
Michael’s education in music sarted at a very young age, taking private piano and guitar lessons for 12 years. Michael then went on to perform in garage bands through his teens and early 20’s. Now 37, Michael still performs around the Hillsboro area. Cafes, Wineries, Banquets and low-key Restaurants are his favorite venues. He holds a 3.8 GPA at PCC in music studies with a focus on theory and a practical application of theory. Michael recognizes the use of cover songs as an engaging way to teach form and style. Michael can help you learn to read sheet music, tabs, lead sheets, and chord charts, as well as song-writing and improvisation.