Sharon Donaldson

 Violin Viola Cello Fiddle

Wednesdays and Saturdays

Western Classical Celtic Rock

Sharon is a well-respected violin and fiddle player with a passion for Celtic music. She has 14 years of experience teaching children and adults. Her repertoire includes Western Classical, Celtic, Old Time and Classic Rock.

A believer in life-long learning, she learned to play Scottish and Irish music in the traditional way (by ear) and joined the Scottish Fiddle Club of Portland. The club has played for Scottish Country dancers and the Portland Scottish Highland Games.

Sharon has played in a few bands including Yesterdaze Child and continues to give solo and ensemble performances.

Sharon began playing violin at the age of 9 in a school program in Arizona. She progressed to private lessons with Pamela Joseph and has continued to learn different styles.

Sharon works with students on the tools of music-tone, intonation, technique, sight-reading and playing by ear-as a means to tap into the students’s self-expression. For beginners she teaches basic bowing and fingering techniques and a practical approach to basic music theory. For those wanting to learn fiddle, Sharon teaches the student how to play by ear. where the student learns to recognize patterns and repetitions and how to add some ornamentation. Scottish fiddle styles include simple jigs, reels, hornpipe, polk and slow air and finally; guidance in equipment selection.

Sharon accepts students form all age and skill levels.She especially enjoys working with folk and fiddle styles. Lessons are tailored to each student’s interests, goals, abilities and learning style and are conducted in a positive, supportive and friendly environment.

Katherine Rhee

Violin

Mondays

Professional Instructor and Musician

Katherine began learning the violin at age 10 through the music program in Mankato, MN which continued through high school focusing primarily on classical technique and music. She was introduced to orchestral music and performance very early on. After moving to the west coast, her musical pursuits expanded to include many musicals, private ensembles, solos, duets, trios and quartet performances and 20 years in community orchestras. She is currently principal second violin for Willamette Falls Symphony in Oregon City which she has held for 10 years. Her taste in music is eclectic and she has experimented in many different styles of music from around the world such as Celtic, Gypsy/Klezmer, European and many others, in addition to ballads, country and so much more. She has performed in solo venues like coffee houses, small restaurants/pubs, art centers, weddings, markets and occasionally mixes her own recorded background accompaniments. Not limited to violin, her interests also include guitar (mostly classical,) hammered dulcimer and percussion instruments. Rhythm and sight-reading are her strong suits. She has often accompanied other artists for classic light rock and folk music. It is her hope to inspire new violinists to “hear the music,” learn classic techniques and help to take them musically where ever they want to go.

Joe Aloia

Guitar Bass Ukulele

Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursday and Saturday

Professional Musician and Teacher

A music afficionado, Joe has been performing for over 15 years and has taught for the last 10. A graduate of South Florida University with a BA in Music, Joe focuses on guitar and bass. 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.

Michael Downs

Guitar Bass Ukulele

Mondays and Tuessdays

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.