Classical Technique ~ Creative Expression
piano ~ harp (pedal and celtic) ~ voice ~ songwriting ~ drums ~ guitar ~ electric bass
Students get the full benefits of a traditional music education plus a thorough and extensive immersion in the language of music through creating music and performing their creations - on their own with guidance from their teacher, as well as in groups.
At Creative Musical Arts, students have a combination of private instruction and group classes.
Private lessons in their instrument include the following areas of focus: performance (learning and polishing pieces), technique (developing control and agility), and music theory (the language of music) through creative work (improvisation and composition, including notation). Students of all instruments learn enough keyboard skills to play one-octave scales and basic chord progressions, which helps them understand intervals, harmonic relationships, etc. In regular group classes, students create music together as a group, and can bring pieces which they have written on their own (with guidance from their teacher). These pieces are custom-made, so students of all levels can play in the same group. For instance, a beginning cellist can play a simple quarter note bass line, while a more advanced flutist plays a melody with sixteenth notes. Vocal music/setting text can be included. Students are exposed to a wide range of instruments, learning about ranges, timbres, the effects of different arrangements. This teamwork has many benefits, including enhanced brain development, along with emotional attunement. As students advance they also explore chamber music from the repertoire. Music games, movement, and active listening are also incorporated.
We welcome children and adult students of all levels and abilities.
Our goal is to support the unique spark in each individual while helping to develop his or her knowledge and enhancing their appreciation of music.
Areas of focus
Performance (learning and polishing pieces), technique (developing finger control and agility), and music theory (the language of music) through creative work (improvisation and composition, including notation).
Location
Online for now. Looking forward to seeing you in person at our SE Portland location soon!
Schedule and Rates
January - SPRING TERM begins January 4
Group lessons: Saturday, Jan 30
February*
Group lessons: Saturday, February 27
March - Spring break March 22- 28
Group lessons: Saturday, April 3
April - Group lessons: Saturday April 24
May* - Closed on Memorial Day, May 31
Group lessons: Saturday May 22
June - Last day of term: June 28
Group lessons with families: Saturday, June19
* Monday, Feb 15 and Saturday, May 29: We still have lessons. If you ask really nicely at least a week in advance it may be possible to reschedule holiday weekend lessons. Otherwise, student is welcome to attend a term make-up class.
Last day of term June 28
Term make-up classes June 26
LESSONS are available in July and August scheduled on an individual basis
We MAY do camp - it all depends!
RATES
School Age Students
Beginner: Weekly forty-five minute private lessons (averages four lessons/month - see schedule below) and one group creativity and performance lesson: $220/month
Intermediate/Advanced: Weekly sixty minute private lessons (averages four lessons/month - see schedule below) and one group lesson: $286
Adult Students Weekly sixty minute private lessons (averages four lessons/month - see schedule below): $282
Occasional group lessons are offered.
We do prorate for students who begin mid-month, planned absences, etc.
Faculty
Kate Moody
Emma Frost Rostykus
Kate Moody
pianist ~ composer ~ teacher ~ director
Award-winning composer Kate Moody has produced seven CDs of her work, ranging from solo piano to symphonic pieces. Her “Mystical Romantic” music is inspired by nature and her studies of spiritual philosophy. Recordings of her work can be found at katemusic.com and at all the usual internet outlets.
Kate studied piano at Sonoma State University with Marilyn Thompson and composition at New England Conservatory with Robert Ceely. Kate continues to be actively involved in music education offering piano lessons, composition instruction and general music studies. She also instructs music teachers how to teach basic composition and improvising, making theory relevant as students use the notes from the scales, triads and arpeggios they are learning to create music which they then play and notate. Her instructional book, Playing & Composing Around the Circle of Fifths, is available from CoCo Lounge Presents.
Please visit https://katemusic.com to learn more.
Paul Moyer
Emma Frost Rostykus
Kate Moody
Paul Moyer is a multi-instrumentalist based in Portland, Oregon. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Lewis and Clark College, where he studied piano with Susan Smith and Randy Porter. Paul teaches private piano lessons in the Portland area. Paul began playing and performing music at the age of 5. While attending Enterprise High School in Redding, California, he was keyboardist and drummer for Enterprise Starship, the school's award-winning show choir. He found his voice as a singer in Enterprise High's award-winning high school vocal jazz ensemble "T.B.A." In college, he served three years as Bass section leader for Lewis and Clark College's premier choir, Cappella Nova, and still performs with them from time to time. He was a Choral Scholar and soloist at St. James Lutheran Church in Portland from 2018-2019. In 2020, Paul spent one season as an assistant director at PDX Vox, a community a cappella program in Portland. Paul is active in Portland's DIY music scene, playing and collaborating with musicians across a broad spectrum of genres. For years, he has spent his summers working as a skills teacher at Camp Winnarainbow, a circus and performing arts camp for kids in northern California. There, he assists in teaching songwriting, singing, and other musical skills.
Emma Frost Rostykus
Emma Frost Rostykus
Emma Frost Rostykus
Emma Frost Rostykus is a versatile harp and piano teacher, with additional skill sets in singing and composition. Her main instruments are the electric harp, the folk harp, the pedal harp and the piano. Along with playing these instruments, she enjoys artistic expression and creative and experimental teaching methods. Her styles include classical music, show tunes, experimental music, jazz, blues and pop covers, as well as her own original folk songs. A recent graduate from California Institute of The Arts with a focus in Performance and Composition, Emma teaches private students at all different skill levels, ranging from ages seven to seventy. She has played throughout the U.S. and also in Europe as part of the Seventh World Harp Congress, in the early part of her career. Music brings a breath of fresh air to everything in life, and sharing that with everyone is her passion. Private Lessons, Group Lessons, Dining Entertainment, Production Scoring, Studio Recording, Holiday Get-Togethers, Weddings, Ceremonies, Birthdays, Senior-Living Entertainment, Garden Parties, Special Occasions, and Festival Entertainment are her specialties. She currently offers virtual lessons and hires-out for all virtual events as well!
Lance Vallis
Lance Vallis
Emma Frost Rostykus
Lance Vallis has years of experience playing guitar in a variety of situations, including rock and jazz groups, blues jam sessions, singer/songwriter open mics, a hip hop band, and musical theater pit bands. In addition to recording several CDs, he has performed internationally in the cruise industry with several cruise lines, most recently on board Holland America ships. He attended Berklee College of Music, and earned his Masters of Music degree from Portland State University. Specializing in rock, pop, blues, and jazz, Lance has taught guitar lessons in both Boston, MA, and Portland, OR, and is also the instructor for a course about the history of rock music.
For more music, check out Lance's band, Special Purpose: https://specialpurposeband.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/funkyguitars
J.D. Davis
Lance Vallis
J.D. Davis
J.D. Davis has been active as a bassist, vocalist and song writer in Portland's underground jazz/rock and heavy metal scene since 2005.
He enjoys composing in the more postmodern approaches as well, with strong emphasis on musical philosophy and the creative process.
J.D. recently completed his studies in Music Composition at Portland State, and aspires to compose for film and video game scor