To find an overview of all areas served by EMTA members for private music lessons, please click on Find A Teacher.
Rick Asher
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano, Voice, Composition
Email: asher.rick@gmail.com
Website: www.rickasher.com
Rick Asher accepts students aged 10 and above at all levels of musical development. He has successfully taught pianists and singers individually while also gaining recognition for directing choral and instrumental ensembles. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education and has extensive training in the Alexander Technique. His highest goal for students is developing personal musicianship that leads to expressive music making. Music theory is integrated into the students’ lessons in an organic way and he coaches interested students in composing. While always kind to students, he expects them to do their best to develop themselves as musicians.
Leah Deobald
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano
Email: leah@leahdeobaldpiano.com
Website: leahdeobaldpiano.com
Seattle native, pianist Leah Deobald is a graduate of The Juilliard School where she received her Bachelor of Music in piano performance under the tutelage of Julian Martin. Top prizes in numerous competitions have led her to appearances on NW classical King FM radio in Seattle, Kansas Public Radio, as well as performances in Carnegie Weil Recital Hall, Seattle Benaroya Hall, and Catherine’s Palace, St. Petersburg Russia. Leah is a passionate pedagogue that focuses on holistic musical training which includes fundamentals such as sound production as the foundation of piano technique, context-based music theory, and aural skills. Leah currently accepts students of all ages. Schedule a free trial lesson to see if she is the right fit for you or your child’s musical journey.
Laurie McFarland
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano
Email: lauriemc@spu.edu
Marie Wollam-Mergler
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano
Email: PianokeysMarie@outlook.com
Naoko Noguchi
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano, Music Theory
Email: nnoguchi29gmail.com
Naoko Noguchi received her piano performance degree from the University of Washington School of Music and has been teaching piano for forty years. As a child, she studied at Juilliard pre-college division in New York. Later, after spending her formative years in Tokyo, she returned to the US and studied with Randolph Hokanson and Bela Siki. She believes every student has strength and finds happiness in working to achieve their musical goals.
Dr. Jensina Oliver, DMA, NCTM
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano, Piano Pedagogy, Music Theory
Email: jbyington@shoreline.edu
Website: https://www.shoreline.edu/music/oliver.aspx
Peter Renhard
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano, Guitar
Email: prenhard1@comcast.net
***Will travel to your home***
Professional performer with a BFA degree in music and a BA in education. After trying to reach 30 or more students in a classroom, I find getting to really know students as individuals and working with them one-on-one is much more satisfying for both of us. I can guarantee success to anyone. I teach in the privacy of your home. My emphasis is on fundamental skills and techniques. It is an easy step-by-step course. You will learn to play by ear as well as by note. My course includes theory, composition, arranging, improvising and expression.
Amber Saldivar
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano, Music Theory
Website: ambersaldivarmusic.com
I absolutely love teaching piano and music theory to people of all ages and backgrounds. I have a patient, outgoing, and calm personality that works well with the challenges of learning a new instrument. I love the enthusiasm and excitement my students bring to their learning journey — it’s contagious! I thoroughly enjoy helping my students express themselves through playing artistically, composing, and improvising. I bring with me 19 years of experience working with people with physical, developmental, and learning disabilities, so I have learned to be flexible and adaptable to different learning styles and needs. I look forward to hearing from you!
Brooke Shirts
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano, Organ
Email: chaitivole@gmail.com
Connie Vernall
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano
Email: conneyvernall@gmail.com
Talman Welle, NCTM
Area(s) of Instruction: Piano
Email: talmanmusicman@aol.com
Edmonds Music Teachers Association 