Avalon Music

Karen Livas - Flute

Karen Livas has recently relocated to the Wenatchee area from the Tri-Cities and teaches at Avalon Music.  Karen has been playing flute since she was 9 years old and attended Colorado State University, playing at college.  Karen is an enthusiastic and patient instructor ready to help your music student prepare for and excell in school band!

You can contact Karen at (509) 699-1527 or by email to schedule your lessons.

Earl Calvert - Fiddle

Earl has played stringed instruments since childhood.  He is a long time member of Washington Old Time Fiddlers’ Association, the Northwest Western Swing Music Society and is the current Chairman for the Washington State Fiddlers’ Contest held in East Wenatchee each year.  His love for Western Swing and traditional music lead him on a lifetime pursuit to teach the various styles of fiddling.  He was initially trained in classical, and uses those techniques in teaching fiddle.  For the past 20 years, Earl has taught music in workshops, groups and private lessons.  He currently teaches the fiddle, mandolin, and acoustic guitar.  Students have ranged in age from 5 to 80 with any range of musical ability.  As long as the student is eager and willing to learn, Earl is willing to teach.

Contact Earl through Avalon Music or email Earl at fiddlers@charter.net to arrange your lessons.

Mitch Michkiosky - Harmonica

Mitch Michkiosly teaches at Avalon Music as of Augsut 2009 and has been playing and teaching harmonia for over 30 years. His influences are Little Walter, Charlie Musslewhite, James Cotton, Norton Buffalo, Carlos del Junco, Pat Ramsey, Paul Daley and many more.

I share my years of experience with my students. The teaching harmonica CD I have produced makes lessons and learning fun and easy. I teach the effects, techniques and styles that make the harmonica such an expressive instrument, from playing bluesy tones to note-for-note melodies.

Mitch is accepting students of all ages and can be reached at (509) 860-9674, by email at mitchndebra@gmail.com or through Avalon Music.

Lonnie Still - Saxophone

Lonnie Still began playing professionally in 1982, in a duo known as Toucan Tango, in the Bellingham, WA area.  Since that time, he has played in various bands, mostly in the Seattle area.  Most notably was a seven year stint with the Royals, and Lily Wilde and the Hysterics.  Lonnie now lives in the Wenatchee area, and plays with Mugsy's Groove, and the J-Byrds.

Lonnie has studied and played with some of the best musicians in the Northwest.  To hear him perform is truly a joy and his passion for saxophone is passed on to his students.  You can reach Lonnie at lonnoid@gmail.com or (509) 741-0364.

Dan Findlay - Banjo, Mandolin and Ukulele

Dan Findlay is a local private music teacher in the Wenatchee valley. He has been playing guitar and bass for 15 years and also plays mandolin, resonator guitars, banjo, and some piano and harmonica. He has taught guitar and bass for over five years and also teaches beginning mandolin and banjo lessons. He teaches all ages and levels of guitar and bass players and greatly enjoys having a large variety of students. Dan played in many different bands in the Seattle area, cultivating an array of different styles. Dan is currently writing and recording solo guitar work and forming a new group.

Dan's Influences: Warren Haynes, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, and B.B. King  - just to name a few.

Dan's Teaching Goals: 

I love to teach.  Helping my students learn a new skill, or to enhance existing skills, is a blessing. To watch my students grow as musicians and see their musical knowledge, skill and artistry advance is truly wonderful and rewarding. 

I teach all different styles of guitar and introduce my students to new musical ideas and genres.  I teach theory and practical applications to give my students the ability to understand the musical expressions of others, as well as start development of their own individual style.

Dan accepts students of all ages and levels of ability.

Contact Dan by calling 679-7626 or emai wenatcheeguitarlessons@yahoo.com.  Check out his website http://www.wenatcheeguitarandbasslessons.webstarts.com/