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Frequently Asked Questions
Meet Kennedy Violins
Our staff of string players can help you with
questions about our instruments or your order! - LESSONS
- •Conservatory Prep Training
- •Irish & Regional Fiddling
- •Suzuki Certified Teachers
- •Orchestra & Audition Coaching
- •Jazz & Electric Bass
- •Classical Guitar & Ukulele
Private Lessons & Group Classes
Your first lesson is free!
Call 1-800-779-0242 for
a teacher recommendation - RENTALS
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Our Experienced, Professional Teachers Are What Make the Kennedy Violins Difference
CERTIFIED, EXPERIENCED, PROFESSIONAL, & FRIENDLY
WELCOME! You will appreciate the difference in learning offered at Kennedy Violins. Our teachers make the difference to help you reach your musical goals.
LOCAL LESSONS: we offer local lessons for all ages in our comfortable practice rooms at 508 SE 117th Avenue Vancouver, WA 98683. We also offer remote lessons by Skype.
Lessons are $30 for 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $55 for an hour. Pay week to week. Group lessons and workshops are available.
Book your first FREE lesson or call us at 800-779-0242
First 30-minute lesson is FREE to new students!
Please select your instrument from the list below, choose an instructor to learn more about them, then check availability to schedule your lesson. No payment is required to schedule your lesson, and your first 30-minutes with us will be free.
Select Your Instrument
Teachers:
Lauren Grant
Violin
Lauren Grant has been playing the violin for 15 years and has a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from Portland State University. In her private studies, Lauren has worked with Carol Sindell, Adam LaMotte, Hamilton Cheifetz, and Dr. Tomas Cotik. Lauren frequently plays with the Vancouver Symphony as well as the Portland State University Orchestra. She has also previously played with the Oregon Sinfonietta, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, and the Orpheus Academy.
Ashley
Violin Viola
Ashley recently graduated from Brigham Young University with her bachelor's degree in viola performance. Her musical journey began at the age of five after listening to a memorable recording of the violin on the radio, instantly falling in love with its depth and beauty of sound. She knew she wanted to learn how to play the instrument, and after two years of persistent pestering, her parents secured her a position with her first private teacher and has played ever since. Ashley has since had the privilege of performing as assistant principal violist of Brigham Young University's Philharmonic Orchestra, principal violist of BYU’s Chamber Orchestra, and violist of BYU’s prestigious honors quartet. Ashley has also had the opportunity to work in masterclass with some of the great violists of our time, including Paul Neubauer, Professor of the Juilliard School, Robert Vernon, Principal Violist of the Cleveland Orchestra, Jutta Puchhammer-Sedillot, Associate Professor of Viola at the Université de Montréal, and Stephen Wyrczynski, Professor of Viola at the Jacobs School of Music. Along with her extensive performing experience, Ashley has served as adjunct professor of viola at her college, working with students of many experience levels. Her work with the college, as well as her performance excellence resulted in her being awarded the prestigious David Dalton Scholarship the last two years of her degree. Ashley studied under Claudine Bigelow and plans to pursue a masters degree in viola performance and pedagogy in the near future. She hopes to instill a lasting love for music in her students, and finds great joy in seeing her students excel and gain an appreciation for their instrument.
Owen
Cello
Owen Hofmann-Smith is a performer of many talents. He began his musical training in the fifth grade on the cello. He played in orchestra and sang in choir through his school years. As a youth he played with the Portland youth Philharmonic. During college he picked up the string bass and began studying jazz. It was also at that time that he got his first choir directing position at a local church. After winning the concerto competition at PSU, Owen was awarded the first prize of performing the full, unabridged concerto with the PSU Symphony. When practicing vigorously for this concert he sustained a severe playing injury that prevented him from continuing to play bass or cello. Faced with giving up his lifelong goal of a career as a cellist, he then begin to study voice and opera singing as well as completing a master's degree in conducting at Portland State in 2013. Having made a full recovery from that injury a couple of years later, he is back performing on his cello and bass regularly. After years of gigging as a classical, jazz, and theatrical stage performer, more recently Owen has been developing as a rock and R&B musician on guitar and bass guitar. Owen has recently performed on bass with The Casimir Effect, Karaoke from Hell, Pete Krebs, The Clambake Combo, Stumptown Swing, Vintage Knights, Torchsong Entertainment, Rio con Brio, Arco PDX, Columbia Symphony, and Opera Theater Oregon. Owen is also very into folk and fiddle music after traveling to Dublin and Cork. Fiddle tunes and Irish folk songs are often featured in his musical sets. Owen currently holds position as Director of Music Ministry at Bethel UCC, conductor of Liedertafel Harmonie (community choir of the German American Society of Portland), and instructor at Kennedy Violins.
Zach
Bass
Zach is a Portland native with a bachelors degree in bass performance from PSU. He’s been an active private teacher in the Vancouver area since graduating in 2010. He’s studied with Jeff Johnson of the Oregon Symphony as well Jazz artists Glenn Moore, Alan Jones, Dan Schulte, and Kevin Deitz. Zach performs as a member of the SW Washington symphony as well as freelancing throughout SW Washington and the Portland area. When he’s not playing bass Zach enjoys permaculture gardening, mountain biking, kayaking, and anything that gets him out in the great outdoors of the pacific northwest. Schedule Lessons with Zach To schedule a lesson, browse our lesson schedule to to view teacher availability and request an appointment, or contact Zach directly at 1-800-779-0242.
James
Ukulele Guitar
I have been a music teacher for over twenty years, learning and advancing my craft as a teacher. I have studied guitar pedagogy, piano and have written a basic method book that have I use successfully. In my years teaching, I have dealt with students needs from learning disabilities to social issues that create obstacles in their development. I have learned a lot of techniques and communication skills using music as a medium to help those students overcome barriers in their lives. Music is a powerful tool and used as a universal language that can motivate and inspire students to learn. With years teaching guitar privately, I have also been teaching music and guitar classes since 1997. I have lectured as an educator on the importance of art in the community, at Libraries, schools, churches, museums; I am a resident of Vancouver, WA and have offered myself as a liaison to students in the surrounding schools. I have been a part of teaching programs in the middle and high school level and have been invited to participate in school music education advising and productions. I have great joy taking on the responsibility of teacher and mentor and have seen the result of my work from the responses by parents as well as students themselves. I have been my own advocate as promoter, manager, and local artist in Vancouver, WA. I would like an opportunity to visit with you and welcome you to our family here at Kennedy violins. Scheduling Lessons with James To schedule a lesson, browse our lesson schedule to to view teacher availability and request an appointment, or contact James directly at 1-800-779-0242.
Jordan
Guitar
Jordan first picked up playing guitar in middle school and graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in music. He privately studied guitar method under Randy Rusk and jazz under Mimi Fox. He has taught guitar for over 5 years and currently works as a music teacher, freelance musician, and audio engineer. Jordan spends most of his time in the studio and deeply enjoys messing around with all types of instruments, pedals, amplifiers, plugins, and what nots. Jordan has a deep love for all different types of music specializing in rock n roll, folk, bluegrass, country, blues, and pop. He strongly believes that there is no single teaching plan that works for everyone and that part of being a good teacher is adapting each lesson to each student! He finds great joy in teaching all ages and skill levels, and looks forward to inspiring and motivating his students to enjoy the process of learning. He knows that It is important to start immediately having fun playing and focuses each lesson on the music each student loves. He believes that every song holds its own lesson to improve the groundwork of healthy guitar playing, or strumming techniques, or expand chord vocabulary, or grasp some concept of music theory, ear training, and sight reading. Jordan aims to inspire students to be excited about practice, to be proud of their growth, to exceed their own expectations, and to find the same happiness in playing that he does!
Dyonnis
Piano
Dyonnis has taught piano and voice for over 25 years to students of all ages. She studied piano pedagogy at Marylhurst College under Joanna Hodges, founder of the Joanna Hodges Conference and Piano Competition. She studied voice under Dr. David Murray. She has sang in the Portland Opera Chorus and served as Music Director and as a piano accompanist in churches. Dyonnis takes into consideration each student’s unique learning style and interests to achieve a common outcome of proper technique, theory, ear training and sight reading ability. She is passionate about helping a student achieve the lifelong physical, mental, social and emotional benefits that playing an instrument provides.
Rachel
Violin Viola
Rachel is a versatile fiddler, violinist, and violist with a wide range of performance experience. She studied classical violin and Scottish fiddle in her youth, and spent part of each summer immersed in various world fiddling traditions at Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School and Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp. Rachel later pursued additional studies in old-time fiddling with Suzy Thompson and took lessons with fiddler and composer Darol Anger. Rachel currently plays fiddle with Scottish traditional band Dram & Go, and violin with Tilikum Chamber Orchestra. She was previously a longtime member of eclectic folk-fusion group Kendalin, and also performed with groups including Castletown, Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and the American Philharmonic of Sonoma County.
Amy
Violin
Amy loves introducing students to the violin and helping them explore their own ability to create music. Having taken her first violin lesson at the age of eight and remembering many of the frustrations of the early years, she seeks to provide students with meaningful exercises that will increase their capabilities and engaging songs that motivate their learning. She has taught students worldwide in her life of travel and especially enjoys coaching adult beginners. Schedule Lessons with Amy To schedule a lesson, browse our lesson schedule to to view teacher availability and request an appointment, or contact Amy directly at 1-800-779-0242.
Tyler
Violin Viola Cello
Tyler Goldman is a rising force in the education of young musicians. His private students are recognizable by their passionate playing and exceptional playing skills. His teaching style is influenced by studying with Dr. Dijana Ihas. Tyler holds a Bachelors degree in music education from Pacific University where he studied with Adam LaMotte and Kevin Lefohn. Tyler has served as concert master of Pacific University Symphonic Orchestra and the Salem Pops Orchestra. Tyler teaches Violin, Viola, and beginning Cello.