More About Our Music Lessons
The Happy Valley Arts Academy offers music lessons in:
Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Ukulele and Drums
Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Ukulele and Drums

Our Belief
We believe that the student experience always comes first, and the best way to accomplish that is with one-on-one, private instruction. Each lesson is tailored individually to the student. We take into account age, experience, personality, and learning style. We teach ages 5 - adult! It's never "too late" to learn how to play music.
One-on-one attention
Students in private lessons are able to learn the type of music they personally are most interested in. Our teachers can focus 100% of their attention on that one student to ensure that hand positioning, posture or the understanding of a particular concept are correct. If a student has a particular difficulty in one area, the teacher can work on it without hampering the progress of a class of students and alternatively, if a student is excelling in one area, the teacher can move on. We offer 30 minute and 1 hour lessons.
Our school is equipped to offer music lessons for students of all ages and abilities, from beginners to very advanced students. We offer every style of lessons from classical to jazz and pop.
Frequently asked questions:
WHAT DO YOU LEARN IN YOUR MUSIC LESSONS?
That question is often asked by prospective students. Our teachers make it a priority to get to know you on a personal level and to become familiar with your personal musical needs and goals.
We do not treat every student the same in terms of what and how we teach.
A seven year old having their first guitar lesson will have very different needs than a fifty seven year old taking up piano for the 2nd time after having had lessons as a child.
The main reason to choose Happy Valley Arts Academy as your music lesson provider, is that we are sensitive to the fact that every student is an individual.
If you enroll here for lessons, we will work with you to make a plan that will fit your needs and musical preferences. At the first lesson your teacher will ask you about your favorite type of music, and set goals to help accomplish whatever musical aspirations you have for yourself or your child.
WHAT STYLES OF MUSIC DO YOU TEACH?
We teach all styles from rock, pop, jazz, country, blues and classical.
ARE YOUR INSTRUCTORS QUALIFIED?
Our teachers have received their education from prestigious institutions such as Helsinki University in Finland, The Music Conservatory in Gyor, The Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague, The Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam, Berklee College of Music, Multnomah College, San Fransisco State University, Portland State University and University of Oregon. Many of our instructors have gone on performance tours of the US and Europe and have over 25 years of professional performance and teaching experience. In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly and strive to get to know each student and their parent on a personal level.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN AN INSTRUMENT?
There is no set answer of how long it takes to learn an instrument. With regular practice a basic level of playing can be accomplished in a few months. Most of our students take lessons on a long term basis because they want to be constantly improving and they find the lessons enjoyable.
I DON’T HAVE ANY MUSICAL BACKGROUND OR ABILITY. CAN I STILL HELP MY CHILD PRACTICE?
Yes. Even if you don't have a musical background you can ask the teacher for advice on how to help your child practice. By simply monitoring that they are doing exercises a certain number of times per day the student will progress. Parents will occasionally sit in on their child's music lesson to get an idea of the proper way a song should sound or how the student should be positioning their hands.
PIANO LESSONS
Our piano teachers teach a variety of styles from classical to popular music. Whether you want to learn a classical sonatina, rock chords, or popular sheet music, our teachers are happy to help you become the pianist you want to be. Our piano faculty will show you the fundamentals of sight reading, technique and theory, but they will also incorporate your favorite songs into your lessons. Our piano teachers have warm personalities and enjoy sharing their love for the piano with you.
It is best if you do have a piano or keyboard at home, the reason for this is that the teacher will give assignments to the child to be practiced during the week. Most of our students rent or buy small electric keyboards practice on at home. We recommend a keyboard that has regular sized keys and a touch sensitive response. A touch sensitive keyboard means if you press a key harder it will play louder and if you press a key softer it will play quieter.
GUITAR, BASS, ELECTRIC GUITAR, UKULELE LESSONS
Our guitar teachers teach rock, blues, metal, country and classical guitar lessons on electric and acoustic guitars. Beginner students can expect to work on chords, simple songs and melodies, sight reading, and theory. We balance musicianship and fun by making sure that each lesson you are challenged with a new technical or theory concept, but always end with something fun such as your favorite riff or song. We use a variety of guitar method books to accomplish this and encourage students to bring CDs or their iPod to their lesson to learn their favorite tunes. Our teachers can even help you with guitar repair: such as the set up of your guitar or replacing your strings!
VIOLIN, LESSONS
Our string instructors will teach all styles of music, from learning to play by ear to reading music. If you want to play classical music or the fiddle, we have a teacher for you. Students can be as young as 5 years old, or younger with the teacher's approval. Our students love learning the fundamentals, as well as incorporating your favorite songs into their lessons. Our violin teachers have friendly personalities and love working with children and teens and adults!
VOICE LESSONS
Our private voice teachers primarily focus on popular music and musical theatre songs. If you have always wanted to be a better rock, pop, country, jazz, gospel, theatre, or R&B singer, then we have the right voice teachers for you! Voice students spend time each week doing physical exercises to improve their vocal range, ear training, breath control, vibrato, tone production, enunciation and more. All voice students set goals with their teacher to work on sounding like their favorite recording artists, preparing for a theatre audition, or if they prefer, to develop their own unique voice.
DRUM LESSONS
Our drum instructors will teach rock, metal, jazz, funk, blues and many other styles. Drum language can be complex and our instructors will challenge any drummer with a wide variety of technical exercises designed to improve your speed and comfort. All drummers may bring in their favorite drum parts to learn in their lessons and theory is encouraged. You do not have to purchase a drum kit to take lessons. Beginning students can learn with a drum pad and sticks for about $40.00. Students use our drum set at their lessons and do not have to bring anything except their drum sticks and a notebook.
We believe that the student experience always comes first, and the best way to accomplish that is with one-on-one, private instruction. Each lesson is tailored individually to the student. We take into account age, experience, personality, and learning style. We teach ages 5 - adult! It's never "too late" to learn how to play music.
One-on-one attention
Students in private lessons are able to learn the type of music they personally are most interested in. Our teachers can focus 100% of their attention on that one student to ensure that hand positioning, posture or the understanding of a particular concept are correct. If a student has a particular difficulty in one area, the teacher can work on it without hampering the progress of a class of students and alternatively, if a student is excelling in one area, the teacher can move on. We offer 30 minute and 1 hour lessons.
Our school is equipped to offer music lessons for students of all ages and abilities, from beginners to very advanced students. We offer every style of lessons from classical to jazz and pop.
Frequently asked questions:
WHAT DO YOU LEARN IN YOUR MUSIC LESSONS?
That question is often asked by prospective students. Our teachers make it a priority to get to know you on a personal level and to become familiar with your personal musical needs and goals.
We do not treat every student the same in terms of what and how we teach.
A seven year old having their first guitar lesson will have very different needs than a fifty seven year old taking up piano for the 2nd time after having had lessons as a child.
The main reason to choose Happy Valley Arts Academy as your music lesson provider, is that we are sensitive to the fact that every student is an individual.
If you enroll here for lessons, we will work with you to make a plan that will fit your needs and musical preferences. At the first lesson your teacher will ask you about your favorite type of music, and set goals to help accomplish whatever musical aspirations you have for yourself or your child.
WHAT STYLES OF MUSIC DO YOU TEACH?
We teach all styles from rock, pop, jazz, country, blues and classical.
ARE YOUR INSTRUCTORS QUALIFIED?
Our teachers have received their education from prestigious institutions such as Helsinki University in Finland, The Music Conservatory in Gyor, The Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague, The Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam, Berklee College of Music, Multnomah College, San Fransisco State University, Portland State University and University of Oregon. Many of our instructors have gone on performance tours of the US and Europe and have over 25 years of professional performance and teaching experience. In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly and strive to get to know each student and their parent on a personal level.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN AN INSTRUMENT?
There is no set answer of how long it takes to learn an instrument. With regular practice a basic level of playing can be accomplished in a few months. Most of our students take lessons on a long term basis because they want to be constantly improving and they find the lessons enjoyable.
I DON’T HAVE ANY MUSICAL BACKGROUND OR ABILITY. CAN I STILL HELP MY CHILD PRACTICE?
Yes. Even if you don't have a musical background you can ask the teacher for advice on how to help your child practice. By simply monitoring that they are doing exercises a certain number of times per day the student will progress. Parents will occasionally sit in on their child's music lesson to get an idea of the proper way a song should sound or how the student should be positioning their hands.
PIANO LESSONS
Our piano teachers teach a variety of styles from classical to popular music. Whether you want to learn a classical sonatina, rock chords, or popular sheet music, our teachers are happy to help you become the pianist you want to be. Our piano faculty will show you the fundamentals of sight reading, technique and theory, but they will also incorporate your favorite songs into your lessons. Our piano teachers have warm personalities and enjoy sharing their love for the piano with you.
It is best if you do have a piano or keyboard at home, the reason for this is that the teacher will give assignments to the child to be practiced during the week. Most of our students rent or buy small electric keyboards practice on at home. We recommend a keyboard that has regular sized keys and a touch sensitive response. A touch sensitive keyboard means if you press a key harder it will play louder and if you press a key softer it will play quieter.
GUITAR, BASS, ELECTRIC GUITAR, UKULELE LESSONS
Our guitar teachers teach rock, blues, metal, country and classical guitar lessons on electric and acoustic guitars. Beginner students can expect to work on chords, simple songs and melodies, sight reading, and theory. We balance musicianship and fun by making sure that each lesson you are challenged with a new technical or theory concept, but always end with something fun such as your favorite riff or song. We use a variety of guitar method books to accomplish this and encourage students to bring CDs or their iPod to their lesson to learn their favorite tunes. Our teachers can even help you with guitar repair: such as the set up of your guitar or replacing your strings!
VIOLIN, LESSONS
Our string instructors will teach all styles of music, from learning to play by ear to reading music. If you want to play classical music or the fiddle, we have a teacher for you. Students can be as young as 5 years old, or younger with the teacher's approval. Our students love learning the fundamentals, as well as incorporating your favorite songs into their lessons. Our violin teachers have friendly personalities and love working with children and teens and adults!
VOICE LESSONS
Our private voice teachers primarily focus on popular music and musical theatre songs. If you have always wanted to be a better rock, pop, country, jazz, gospel, theatre, or R&B singer, then we have the right voice teachers for you! Voice students spend time each week doing physical exercises to improve their vocal range, ear training, breath control, vibrato, tone production, enunciation and more. All voice students set goals with their teacher to work on sounding like their favorite recording artists, preparing for a theatre audition, or if they prefer, to develop their own unique voice.
DRUM LESSONS
Our drum instructors will teach rock, metal, jazz, funk, blues and many other styles. Drum language can be complex and our instructors will challenge any drummer with a wide variety of technical exercises designed to improve your speed and comfort. All drummers may bring in their favorite drum parts to learn in their lessons and theory is encouraged. You do not have to purchase a drum kit to take lessons. Beginning students can learn with a drum pad and sticks for about $40.00. Students use our drum set at their lessons and do not have to bring anything except their drum sticks and a notebook.
Rates:
$35 per 30 minute private lesson held once a week.
All Lessons are held once a week, at the same day and time.
There is a one-time registration fee of $50.00 per family.
$35 per 30 minute private lesson held once a week.
All Lessons are held once a week, at the same day and time.
There is a one-time registration fee of $50.00 per family.
It's easy to take the next step:
Lessons are first come, first serve
so contact us today to arrange your first lesson!
503.974.4997
Lessons are first come, first serve
so contact us today to arrange your first lesson!
503.974.4997
14654 SE Sunnyside Road Happy Valley OR 97015
(Near the Happy Valley Library)
(Near the Happy Valley Library)