"Sometimes you have to play for a long time to be able to play like yourself."  -Miles

The most important moment of my life was a musical one.  While in high school I played second bassoon in wind ensemble, and was fortunate to play with the full orchestra in a production of Mozart's Requiem.  At the first rehersal I sat in the second bassoon chair amidst the strings and brass, and behind us, a beautiful mixed choir.  The work begins with a single bassoon melody, played on this day by my friend in the first chair.  The strings enter, and as I listen to this haunting melody I close my eyes.  The choir, one section at a time, one by one, enter and build, and build, and build, until my eyes water from a sea of beautiful sound.  I open my eyes and witness my spiritual awakening--my path in life--I am a musician.

I have been so fortunate to have found within myself a burning desire to teach others.  I am a student of the musical universe, and each day I look for new ways to express myself through my art, and seek knowledge from all those around me.  Teaching others, seeing the look on a students face when they solo for the first time, or just breathing life into their instrument for the first time are experiences that stay with me in my day to day life.  If you are interested in learning to play music, or have played for years and are looking for a path towards finding your own voice, I would love to teach you. 

Lessons will focus on these areas of musical development: Improvisation, Jazz Vocabulary, Instrumental Technique, Tone, Facility, Transcribing, Learning Tunes, Theory, and many other areas.

I currently teach at the Woodinville and Southcenter Kennelly Keys store locations.  Lessons are either 1/2 hour, or 1 hour, and we can talk about pricing and scheduling if you contact me.  Feel free to look at the "About" section of my website to get a feel for my history.

Please don't ever feel intimidated by being at any playing level.  Remember, we are all students.  All I ask is a desire to learn and that you work hard at it--if you can't do this, please seek someone else.  Please feel free to contact me any way you feel comfortable.  My contact information is as follows:

email: www.neilwelch1@gmail.com

phone: 425-218-2299