Teachers
(she/her)
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Ukulele, Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello, Songwriting, Computer Music, Recording
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:
Monday - 12PM - 4PM
Tuesday - 12PM - 4PM
Wednesday - 12PM - 4PM
Thursday - 12PM - 4PM
Avenira Caswell
(he/him)
Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Beginning Piano, Ukulele, Mandolin, Clawhammer Banjo, Music Theory, Songwriting
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 - 2PM - 8PM
Elisabeth Longacre
(they/them)
Instruments: Drums, Percussion, Music Theory
Teaching Experience
Teaching in Oregon since 2024; previously taught in California from 2019-2024
Teacher at Beaverton School District Middle and High School Summer Band Camp since 2025
Teacher at Beaverton School District Middle and High School Honor Band since 2025
Taught percussion at high schools in Beaverton and Forest Grove School Districts, including Aloha High, Westview High, and Forest Grove High
Background and Performance Experience:
Bachelor's in Percussion Performance and Music Education from UCLA
Master's in Music Education from the University of Michigan
Performance experience with orchestral symphonies, musical theatre pits, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, percussion ensembles, and marching bands
Performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (2018), and in the Ekitopia festival in Japan (2018)
Performed and toured with local punk, rock, and jazz bands.
One of my favorite things about teaching: Seeing my students feel confident and passionate about their learning that they want to teach their friends and family about what they learned!
When I'm not teaching and playing music I am: Spending time with my dog at the park, playing at the arcade, watching movies, or going to the Sellwood Waterfront Park
Schedule:
Friday - 2PM - 6PM
Saturday - 10AM - 6PM (coming soon)
Erin Freise
(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: 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
Orenco Music Scheduling & Cancellation Policies
We believe music lessons are the most fun and effective when they are a consistent part of your week. We call these Weekly Lessons. Here is our approach:
Monthly Autopay: Your tuition invoice for the upcoming month is auto-paid via the credit card on your account. Billing for the upcoming month occurs 11 days before the month, usually on the 20th or 21st. This renews your Weekly Lesson for the upcoming month.
Autopay Dates: 7/21/26, 8/21/26, 9/20/26, 10/21/26, 11/20/26, 12/21/26, 1/21/27, 2/18/27, 3/21/27, 4/20/27, 5/21/27
Makeup Credits: To receive a make-up credit, cancel your lesson with at least 48 hours' notice. This credit can be used to book any available lesson time, but it does not cover any of your future Weekly Lessons. Makeup credits cannot be used to extend a time reservation when discontinuing weekly lessons. Makeup credits are good for 90 days.
Cancellations Within 48 Hours: Cancellations within 48 hours of the scheduled lesson are not eligible for rescheduling, make-up credits, or refunds. This ensures fairness among students and allows our teachers to dedicate their time to teaching.
Video Lessons: If you can't attend in person, you can switch to a video lesson. Our teachers have well-equipped setups, and these sessions are highly productive. Alternatively, you can send a friend or family member in your place.
Inclement Weather: All lessons are held over video. Make-up credits are not issued due to inclement weather.
Illness: Please stay home if you're sick. If you’re well enough, you can meet for a video lesson.
Single Lesson Schedule Changes: Please plan ahead and update your schedule in MyMusicStaff to reflect any known conflicts as soon as possible.
Recurring Lesson Schedule Changes: To change your Weekly Lesson time, log into MyMusicStaff to see available times.
Breaks: If you need to take extended time away, you can study over video lessons, send a friend in your place, or release your reserved time for other students to book. Please note that to respect the time of teachers and other students, your Weekly Lesson time is only held by paying your full monthly invoice. This includes Summer and Winter breaks.
Discontinuing Lessons: We keep your lesson commitment simple, with no contracts. Please provide as much notice as possible. At minimum, please provide at least 7 days written notice to info@orencomusic.com.
Email: For any schedule or billing questions, please email info@orencomusic.com. We handle most scheduling items to keep our teachers focused on teaching music.