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118 Market Street, Kirkland, WA 98033Monday to Thursday: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. · Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. · Friday and Sunday: ClosedMonday to Thursday: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.Fall term enrollment opens in June(425) 555-0105

Our teachers

Six teachers, and the days each teaches

Everyone here plays what they teach. Days are beside each name.

  • Conrad Thornton, director and violin teacher, with a violin under his chin in a bright lesson room

    Conrad Thornton

    Director · Violin and group class · Mon, Wed, Sat

    Conrad founded the school to teach children the way they learn to speak, by listening and repeating. He teaches violin and leads the weekly group class.

  • Tilly Thayer, violin teacher for the youngest students, standing in a sunny room with a patterned rug

    Tilly Thayer

    Violin, ages 3 to 7 · Mon, Thu, Sat

    Tilly teaches the little strings class and the first lessons of our youngest violinists. She keeps lessons short, playful and close to a parent's side.

  • The viola and violin teacher, holding a viola and bow in a rehearsal room

    Ning Meng

    Viola and violin · Tue, Thu

    Ning began on the violin and moved to the viola because she loved its darker voice. She is patient with older children who are switching instruments and with beginners of any age.

  • Gerri Swain, cello teacher, seated with a cello in a practice room

    Gerri Swain

    Cello · Tue, Wed, Sat

    Gerri teaches the cello to children and adults. She fits the size of the instrument to the player before anything else, and she is glad to have a parent sit in.

  • Darnell Rivers, violin teacher for older beginners, with a violin under his arm in a studio

    Darnell Rivers

    Violin, older beginners · Mon, Tue, Thu

    Darnell works with students who begin at nine or older and want to catch up with friends at their own pace. He plays in a community orchestra on weekends.

  • Bob Kittredge, piano accompanist, at an electronic keyboard in a bright room with bookshelves

    Bob Kittredge

    Piano accompanist · Wed, Sat

    Bob plays piano for group class and for every concert, and he rehearses with students who would like to hear their piece with an accompanist first.

Meet your teacher at a placement visit

A teacher listens to what you want to play, and you leave with a day and a time.