Teachers
At Orenco Music, we don't believe in a fixed curriculum. Every teacher customizes their teaching materials and approaches to help each student meet their individual goals.
Michael Callaway
Guitar, Ukulele, Try-It-All
Ryan Goodyear
Drums, Percussion
Avenira Caswell
Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, Ukulele, Guitar, Songwriting, Computer Music, Recording
Christopher Davis
Voice, Guitar, Beginning Piano, Ukulele, Mandolin, Clawhammer Banjo, Music Theory, Songwriting, Try-It-All
Dany Oakes
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Music Theory
Elisabeth Longacre
Vocals, Piano, Ukulele
Shawn Wang
Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Piano
Elizabeth Goodyear
Director of Recruiting
She/Her
Instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Ukulele, Guitar, Songwriting, Computer Music, Recording
Group Classes: Tiny Tunes, Study Sessions
Teaching Experience
Taught in Oregon, California, Washington, and abroad in France, Kenya and Haiti
Program Director, Manager, and Youth Class Coordinator for a music school and professional recording studio in West Hollywood
Founder of LoudProjects, a collaborative grassroots program which hosts events and networking opportunities for people looking to build community
Experienced in Behavior Therapy, supporting individuals with learning differences using customized approaches and positive reinforcement
Developed and supported camps, classes, performances and other programs for 10+ schools and businesses
Background and Performance Experience:
Performed at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Starlight Parade, DisneyLand, The Mint LA, plus innumerable cafes, hotels and public spaces
Operations Lead for major dance music events at Crystal Ballroom, Roseland Theater, 45 East, Gorge Amphitheater, WaMu Theater
Former member of the band Major Awards
Former member of Metropolitan Youth Symphony and Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra
One of my favorite things about teaching: Cultivating comfort in the arts and helping each person discover their unique and personal freedom of expression.
When I'm not teaching and playing music I am: Spending a lot of time outside in nature, reading, writing, learning, watching movies with my toddler, and musing about the wonderful mystery that is life.
Schedule:
Tuesday - 11AM - 8PM
Wednesday - 11AM - 8PM
Thursday - 11AM - 4PM
Avenira Caswell
He/Him
Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Beginning Piano, Ukulele, Mandolin, Clawhammer Banjo, Music Theory, Songwriting, Try-It-All
Teaching Experience
Teaching in the Hillsboro area since 2018
Taught one-on-one and group lessons for students aged 5-70
Coached high school students with music-related senior projects
Taught group piano to classrooms of 4-8 students
Supported people approaching music in their retirement years
Led songwriting courses which culminated in fully arranged and produced demos
Background and Performance Experience:
Earned Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Music Studies from Berklee College of Music with magna cum laude honors.
10+ years of gigging, songwriting, and recording across a variety of styles.
An insatiably curious musical mind that takes delight in musical side quests.
One of my favorite things about teaching: Witnessing the “aha!” moment. Sometimes an idea gradually falls into place, but when you can see it instantly click, it’s exhilarating. Passing what I’ve learned on to others is a deeply rewarding experience.
When I'm not teaching and playing music I am: spending time with my daughters, taking a leisurely drive, hanging out with my cat, or writing.
Schedule:
Sunday - 10AM - 3PM
Monday - 2PM - 8PM
Christopher Davis
He/Him
Instruments: Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Music Theory
Teaching Experience
Teaching in the Hillsboro area since 1997
Staff member of Camp Amp, a Hillsboro Parks and Recreation summer camp from 2012-2019
Created, organized, and taught beginning guitar, songwriting, and Kids Learn Rhythm classes for Hillsboro Parks and Recreation at the Walters Cultural Arts Center
Publishes free educational material at youtube.com/@asktheguitarteacher
Author of Etudes 1-5 for Guitar, Pro Pentatonics for Beginning to Intermediate Guitarists
Creator of Guitar Fretboard Mastery and Fretboard Mastery 101 courses
Participating teacher in collaborative student concerts, featuring 100+ local performers, since 2012
Background and Performance Experience:
Toured Europe, Hungary, Romania, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands
40+ years of musical performance and national touring with local bands, and as a solo artist
One of my favorite things about teaching: Seeing students become increasingly more confident and conversational with their instrument
When I'm not teaching and playing music I am: enjoying time with my wife and family, walking my dog, spending time in nature
Schedule:
Monday - 2PM - 7PM
Tuesday - 2PM - 7PM
Wednesday - 2PM - 7PM
Thursday - 11AM - 7PM
Dany Oakes
She/Her
Instruments: Vocals, Piano, Ukulele
Background and Performance Experience:
Graduated with Bachelor's in General Music from Corban University
10+ years of singing and performing in choirs, ensembles, and musicals
Experience leading music at churches and camps
Teaching Experience
Taught at Oregon Music Academy since early 2026
One of my favorite things about teaching: Encouraging everyone, especially younger students, to believe in themselves and see their potential
When I'm not teaching and playing music I am: Spending time with friends, birdwatching, reading
Schedule:
Sunday - 10AM - 3PM
Tuesday - 4PM - 8PM
Thursday - 4PM - 8PM
Elisabeth Longacre
He/Him
Instruments: Guitar, Ukulele, Try-It-All
Teaching Experience
Teaching in the Hillsboro area since 2011
Teacher at Camp Amp, a Hillsboro Parks and Recreation summer camp from 2011-2017
Assistant Director of collaborative student concerts, featuring 100+ local performers
Background and Performance Experience:
Music Degree from Oregon State University
Lead guitar and lead vocals for local jam band Al's Toy Barn
Toured the West Coast in various bands and performance groups.
One of my favorite things about teaching: Getting to connect with people of all walks of life over music and getting to be a part of a student's musical journey.
When I'm not teaching and playing music I am: playing games with my wife and daughter, going on adventures to the coast, and attending baseball games with family (Go Hops!)
Schedule:
Monday - 12PM - 7PM
Tuesday - 12PM - 7PM
Wednesday - 12PM - 7PM
Thursday - 12PM - 7PM
Friday - 12PM - 7PM
Michael Callaway
He/Him
Instruments: Saxophone (Alto/Tenor/Soprano)
Teaching Experience
Teacher at Hillsboro Jazz Academy since 2024
Teacher at Camp Amp, a Hillsboro Parks and Recreation summer camp from 2011-2017
Background and Performance Experience:
Top instrumental soloist at various state and national Jazz competitions
One of my favorite things about teaching: Seeing the excitement in a student when they deepen their understanding of a new concept.
When I'm not teaching and playing music I am: Going to school, hanging out with friends, gaming, and spending time with my family.
Schedule:
Monday - 3PM - 8PM
Wednesday - 3PM - 8PM
Nathan Caranto
He/Him
Instruments: Drums, Percussion
Teaching Experience
Teaching in the Hillsboro area since 2007
Founding staff member of Camp Amp, a Hillsboro Parks and Recreation summer camp from 2007-2019
Created, organized, and taught satellite programs at middle schools and high schools in Hillsboro and Beaverton School Districts, including Century High School and Meadow Park Middle School
Early childhood education music classes at Montessori schools
Publishes free educational materials at ryangoodyear.com
Organizer of collaborative student concerts, featuring 100+ local performers, since 2012
Background and Performance Experience:
Toured with local band Miriam's Well featuring Lee Garrett
25+ musical theatre performance runs
3 years of piano study, 6 years of viola study
Endorsed performer through Evans Drumheads, Promark Sticks
One of my favorite things about teaching: seeing a musician develop a sense of identity through their instrument
When I'm not teaching and playing music I am: running the trails of Forest Park with my wife and two dogs
Schedule:
Sunday - 10AM - 6PM
Monday - 12PM - 8PM
Tuesday - 12PM - 8PM
Wednesday - 12PM - 8PM
Thursday - 12PM - 8PM
Ryan Goodyear
He/Him
Instruments: Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Piano
Teaching Experience
Has taught one-on-one and group lessons to elementary, high school, and college students and adults in Reno, Nevada.
Served as clinician to high school jazz ensembles in Reno, Nevada.
Appeared as guest clinician at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR and University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, MN.
Background and Performance Experience:
5+ years of classical piano study, 10+ years of jazz piano and bass studies.
Studied at the University of Nevada, Reno with Peter Epstein, Adam Benjamin (of Kneebody), and Hans Halt.
10+ years of gigging in Nevada, Minnesota, and Oregon, with notable performances at the Reno Jazz Festival, the Minnesota Book Awards, and multiple engagements at The 1905 in Portland.
Currently enrolled in Portland State University’s Master’s of Music in Jazz Studies program.
One of my favorite things about teaching: Helping students find their own musical voice and identity and realize that engaging with music is one of the most rewarding things they can do.
When I'm not teaching and playing music I am: Hanging out with my wonderful partner and dog, eating good food, playing video games, and watching basketball or football!
Schedule:
Coming Soon!
Shawn Wang