Robyn Pfeifer, NCTM began teaching children early in her career. Her formal education is a combination background of music education, music and movement, and music therapy. Robyn received a Bachelor's in Music from the University of Memphis and her National Certification in Music from the National Music Teachers Association. She has taught in private elementary, Montessori, and as a music therapist with all ages, in addition to teaching music history, theory, and both private and group instruction. Robyn is active in the Portland music education community as coordinator for the Sunnyside Jr. Music Festival and as Mentor Chairperson for the Portland chapter of the Oregon Music Teachers Association. She is the owner of Pfeifer MusicWerks Studio.

Aleta Haslem has became a part of the Pfeifer MusicWerks Studio when she found our family shortly after moving from Tucson Arizona where she taught for four years for the City of Tucson in their recreational centers teaching piano, voice, and guitar for both private and group to all ages. She completed her Bachelors of Music in Music Education from the University of Oregon. Aleta is the kind of teacher who always faces a challenge head on and strives to instill that same self esteem musically into her students. She is passionate about helping others and is committed to clear and concise communication skills and loves teaching children music! Aleta has been a long term substitute music teachers for schools in Arizona and has even been an algebra and math tutor. In addition she has worked with students with disabilities.

Avril Javel joins the MusicWerks Studio to head our violin/viola program. She has a Master's degree in Violin Performance and String Pedagogy at the University of Oregon studying with Fritz Gearhart. Avril earned her Bachelor of Music from University of Puget Sound. She has taught students of all ages and is skilled in teaching both private and group lessons. In addition Avril is completing her violin training in the Suzuki method. Avril has an eloquent style of teaching appeals to all students and she teacher both classical and fiddle on the violin. She has been a violinist for the Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina and the Oregon Coast Chamber Orchestra. In addition she has been a violin instructor for the Community Music Institute at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

David Powell enjoys teaching students of all ages for both group and private lessons here at the Pfeifer MusicWerks Studio. He believes in tailoring guitar lessons to meet the needs and musical interests of the individual student. He received his Bachelor of Science in Music from Hofstra University and has several years of teaching experience. David brings to the Studio experience performing and teaching jazz music and theory. He has been teaching guitar to youth and adults taught some beginning percussion and electric bass. David is a member of the band The Sleeper Smiles, which recorded their debut album in early 2009.

Janell Downing offers originality and creativity in piano education to help students achieve their musical goals. She is an accomplished piano and voice performer who has experience performing different musical styles and has competed for several years in international music competitions. Janell has her formal degree from Multnomah Bible College where she earned a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Music and Theology. While studying Janell assembled and conducted a band that led worship and also conducted a choir of international students at Portland State University. She has experience teaching at Multnomah Bible College and at a music studio in Vancouver, WA. Janell brings to the Studio a love and dynamic enthusiasm for music. She teaches piano and voice to all ages.

Kari Ferguson skillfully combines her music education background with singing and piano performance. She has her formal education from Goshen College with a Bachelor's in Music. Her extensive background in teaching includes voice and piano. Kari has combined her love of music through an active performance schedule of singing, recording, and teaching. She is the choral sectional leader for Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and performs with several other vocal groups including In, Mulieribus Oregon Renaissance Band and Trinity Cathedral Chamber Singers

Ken Hess shares his love of music and the guitar with his students and teaches any and all musical styles. He has extensive teaching and performing experience on both guitar and bass. He earned his Bachelor of Music from the Berklee College of Music where he graduated early and Magna Cum Laude. He has been playing guitar for over 15 years. Ken grew up in Portland where he studied with Jerry King through the prestigious guitar program at Tigard High School that has been producing educated guitarists for over 15 years. Ken has performed on cruise ships, in churches, at weddings, and at dances. He currently plays with two local bands.

Mary Wright, a composer and sound artist, teaches students to find their own unique voice in the composition world. Her degrees are in Composition from Princeton University (M.F.A., Ph.D.) and the California Institute of the Arts (M.F.A.) and in Music Theory from Cleveland Institute of Music (B.M.). Mary's music has been performed by the Kronos String Quartet, the California Ear Unit, Bang On A Can All-Stars, New York New Music Ensemble, and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players. She has received commissions from the MIT Symphony Orchestra, the American Composers Forum, the Fromm Foundation at Harvard University, the Meet the Composer/Readers Digest Commissioning Program in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lila Wallace Readers Digest Fund, and ASCAP/Bang On A Can (In Memory of John Cage). She has received awards from the International League of Women Composers, ASCAP (Young Composers Award), and the first Margaret Blackburn Memorial Competition.

Rudy Slizewski, Rudy comes from a musical family, touring until three years old with his parents' band The Millionaires. Rudy has played and taught students on over a dozen instruments including piano, drums, guitar, and voice. He started his first band in the 8th grade and started teaching when he was 13 years old. Rudy graduate Magna Cum Laude from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a focus on Percussion Performance. He spent an extra year at Humboldt State and earned his Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music. Rudy combines a deep and thorough understanding of music and theory with infectious enthusiasm to excite and motivate his students. When he's not teaching, Rudy performs as percussionist with the group, TapWater.

Solveig Sorenson is a seasoned and highly regarded musician and music instructor in the Portland Metro area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Piano Pedagogy from Seattle Pacific University and has taught for many years. Solveig is an active member of the Oregon Music Teachers Association and is currently serving as President of the Portland District. Solveig will be teaching the MusikGarten baby music and movement classes here at Pfeifer MusicWerks Studio.

 

Susan Peck brings a broad range of experience and interests including a love of jazz music, rock music, musical improvisation, theatre, and singing making her a dynamic addition to MusicWerks Studio. She has close to 20 years of teaching experience. Susan earned her Bachelor of Music, with high honors, in Voice and Piano from the University of Nebraska and her Master of Music in Theory and Composition from Arizona State University. Susan has taught all ages, from elementary age students through graduate students.She is active in the local music and arts community appearing with the Portland Revels last holiday season (and again this year), with Svila, a local choir of women performing Balkan music, and provides coaching for professional music and theatre performers in the Portland area. Susan teaches all styles of piano and voice to students of all ages and is available for voice and acting coaching.

Tanya Raudszus offers a wealth of formal education, teaching experience, and creativity to share with students. Her educational background includes a Masters in Music from Hartt School of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Portland State, studying with Harold Gary. Tanya has a diverse accompaniment background with choirs, soloists, and instrumental groups. Currently Tanya performs with the Chataqua Community Choir, is musical director of Bethel Assembly of God, and accompanist for the St. Stephens Lutheran Church. She has taught private and group instruction from preschool to college level. Tanya works to ensure that students are enjoying the whole experience of music that expands beyond learning just the notes. She teaches piano and voice.

Taya Jacobs offers students an imaginative musical environment that combines her teaching, educational, and music therapy backgrounds to ensure lessons are creative and fun while building a solid musical foundation. Her instruction allows each student the ability to learn at their own individual pace and style to fully enjoy lessons. Taya received her Bachelor of Music Therapy from Marylhurst University. She has a strong background in jazz and classical piano and incorporates improvisation,songwriting and composition to make lessons dynamic. Taya teaches piano, voice, and guitar lessons to all ages.