Testimonials
My family and I have known Mike for almost four years now. When we first met him, Chris was eight and Kenzie was a few weeks away from turning seven. Mike’s ability to work with and connect with kids at such a young age amazed me. From day one Kenzie was playing a full drum set and Chris was learning to play the electric guitar.
Our oldest daughter has also taken lessons from Mike playing both the electric guitar as well as bass guitar. They have all been involved in Mike’s summer Jam Camps and have been given the opportunity to play in front of small audiences at events arranged by Mike at his home which helped them to overcome their stage fright.
Each of our kids was given the opportunity to cross-train on each other’s instruments. While Chris is the only one of our kids who still plays and continues lessons with Mike, both of our girls have retained a lot of what they have learned. Chris has been given recording studio experience which Mike has arranged for at a local studio. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in the studio jamming with the other students and working with Ron Swift, the Sound Engineer.
If someone you know is looking to relive the “garage band” days of yore or if you know of a child who is interested in learning more about music, we would highly recommend Mike’s School of Blues and Rock.
---Rich and Laurie Dalton
About a year ago, our, then 11-yr-old son Drew, asked for a bass guitar for Christmas. My husband, Ron, and I both love music. We were excited that our oldest son wished to learn to play an instrument. Our only problem was: How do find a great, engaging, affordable, local teacher? I definitely didn’t want to drive to Redmond or Woodinville!
Ron checked the Duvall blog for any recommendations. The first one back was for Mike. I soon realized all those wood cut-out guitars you see around town on telephone poles are for Mike. I was a little nervous once I realized that Mike’s Music studio was out in the country in his garage behind his house. I’m a very protective Mommy!
Between the great recommendations and many lessons, I discovered that Mike is a great teacher. The inside of his studio reminds me of a mini recording studio. Drew loved learning the bass right away. He is always excited to go to class, especially since he’s learned to play well enough to have group lessons. This usually involves a kid on the drums, Drew on bass and another kid on the electric guitar. Mike always plays along with them, so it feels more like a jam session instead of lessons.
Soon, my middle son Spencer,decided that he wanted to learn to play the electric guitar, since Drew was having such a great time. A couple months later, Ron decided to take up the drums and bass guitar! We are now on the family plan and see Mike about three times a week!
Drew participated in Mike’s Guitar Camp this last year. He signed up for a second session, because (as Drew puts it), “It was so awesome!” Needless to say, we found all our requirements for a great teacher!
---Julie Logan
Over the last six years both of my sons have taken lessons from Mike. Dexter loved the guitar already and had had some previous lessons, but he really needed someone that would challenge him to refine his skills and to try different types of music. Dexter was an enthusiastic student under Mike, and they both really enjoyed playing together.
Spencer was enthralled by the drums, but our first encounters with lessons had only frustrated him. They were all focused on drills with no recognizable music. Not so with Mike. Spencer was playing songs along with Mike right away and feeling like a real musician! In the last six years Spencer has gotten to do a lot of fun things at Mike’s; there have been amazing student recitals where everyone gets a chance to show off their skills, summer camps filled with music and play, a few months spent recording a CD, and starting guitar lessons too.
Both my boys benefited from Mike's love of music and his kind and non-judgmental manner of sharing it. They have learned musical skills over the years and taken pride in them, but most importantly, they have gained a genuine joy in playing with music without any fear of doing it wrong.
---Whitney Paul-Jones