About Me
Hello! My name is Morgan and I have been teaching voice and piano since 2008. I studied classical voice performance and earned a Bachelors in Music from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Having taught on two coasts and for such a long time, I have learned a lot about people and what I can do help foster learning. It is my top priority to help my students feel comfortable with the learning process, which is sometimes difficult, and understand that I know how tricky it can be doing something out of your comfort zone. I have got your back!
"It is my top priority to help my students feel comfortable with the learning process..."
When did you start playing music, what brought you to it?
I have always loved to sing. I have no idea what age I started singing, but I started taking private lessons when I was fifteen. It was those lessons that taught me how to create sounds in ways that I didn't know I could, and inspired me to learn more about what I was capable of. Producing sound, creating emotional connection, and doing it all in a healthy way became a major passion.
What other instruments, aside from the ones you teach, have you played before?
I have played guitar, ukulele, and violin.
What style(s) of music do you like to play the most? Why?
Female indie songwriters are my jam. Back in the day, I was mad for Tori Amos. Nowadays, it's artists like Regina Spektor, Bat for Lashes, Aimee Mann, and St. Vincent that I listen to the most. Give me a story teller with an offbeat style and I'm in my happy place.
What is a musical obstacle that you remember overcoming? How did you overcome it?
Something important to remember is that obstacles happen all the time, no matter how experienced a musician you are. Recently, I decided to play a piece on piano that required some jumps in the left hand that I hadn't had to make before. It was uncomfortable, not just because the jumps were weird, but because I was thrown at how tricky it was to get my hands to do what I logically understood. I practiced, making sure to be extra patient with myself, and got the hang of those jumps faster than I thought I would.
What are some of your favorite teaching moments?
There is nothing better than seeing my students perform. Having the culmination of our lessons together being presented on stage is such a great feeling. I know students take what I've taught them on stage, but afterwards they come off stage having gained an experience that can't be taught in the classroom. And I am so proud to be a part of that process.
What are some musical goals you hope to achieve?
One of these days I am going to take vocal jazz lessons.
What advice could you give to someone who has just begun learning music?
The only mistake to avoid is a careless mistake. But if you are putting in the focus and effort to make the best music you can, it's totally normal and expected to make mistakes. Learn from them and then those mistakes are worthwhile.