About Meg Grace and Grace Notes Music Studio
Meg's instruction has been a huge part of my musical experience. I have gained invaluable instruction, helped by her patience and vast knowledge of classical and jazz music. -- Jacob Galash
Music has been an intrinsic part of my life from a young age. I was 9 or 10 years old when my mom and dad took me to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra. As one of six children, having an evening with my parents all to myself was a special and rare experience. Going into the performance hall; seeing Eugene Ormandy conduct - all were magical happenings. I don't remember what they played, but my desire to express myself musically grew exponentially after that adventure.
My mother exposed me to Broadway musicals early in life – buying the soundtracks and playing the LPs on our living room hi-fi. Possessing the ability to whistle with rich tone and vibrato, she accompanied Angela Langsbury and Julie Andrews and others, in a true manifestation of "whistling while you work". My dad played violin as a youngster and sang tenor in church choir and college glee club. He sang to us often; such songs as, Marezee Doats and Yes, We Have No Bananas.
I began performing with my siblings. We put on plays and variety shows for my parents and one another. Our sound system consisted of a microphone created from an empty cardboard paper towel roll topped with a ball of aluminum foil.
Sharing music in performance is natural to me. Since those early days in my parents' living room, I've performed with Aurora Chorus, Zoa Smith, Terri Grayum, Portland Lesbian Choir, Portland Gay Symphonic Band, Rose City Swing, and The Rose City Gay Freedom Marching Band. I co-founded a saxophone quartet and formed my own jazz group, Meg Grace Quartet. I actively perform with Meg Grace Quartet in Portland and Portland Gay Symphonic Band, from banquet halls to concert halls. I can be heard on these recordings: Terri Grayum's Promise, Portland Lesbian Choir's Making Light, and Zoa Smith's Weaver Songs.
What fascinates me about music is the emotional effect it can have on any living being; and how varied the emotional effects can be. I began cataloging these effects for myself; listing the song title, composer, performance artist, and how it makes me feel. I am interested in these diverse influences: how one song engenders a feeling of sadness in me and a feeling of nostalgia in someone else. Or how a particular song stimulates joy and exuberance and another song cries chaos and disorder. Then, to be able to take this powerful stuff (music) and create it myself – whether as a performer or a composer.
Given my early exposure to music and resulting passion for music, it was a natural step to want to share it with others. I highly value the one-on-one relationships that develop in the studio setting. As a private teacher, I get to use my creativity in tailoring lesson programs for each individual student. I am able to respond more organically in this setting.
I hope you find this website a valuable resource for becoming a more relaxed, confident, and mirthful musician. If you'd like to talk with me about how a sax or clarinet learning program figures in your future, call me today: 541-937-5644. You can also provide me with some detail about your situation by filling out the form on my Contact page.
Remember to check out my FREE page. Everything on that page is free.
