Music

The applied lessons faculty of the Lewis & Clark music department consists of outstanding professional musicians who perform actively with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Third Angle New Music, Al Andalus Ensemble, and Lewis & Clark faculty ensembles. They are dedicated teachers who foster students’ individual growth through a personalized program of instruction. 

Lessons                                                                                                               Students may enroll in applied lessons each semester for one credit. The cost of lessons is waived for music majors and for students who receive a music scholarship. Scholarship auditions take place during February of each year for prospective and current students. The lesson cost is otherwise $550 per semester. 

Beginning Performance Classes                                                                      Another option for students wishing to study an instrument or voice is to enroll in a beginning performance class, for a $150 fee. Beginning classes are available in piano, voice, guitar, mbira, Ghanaian music and dance, Hindustani voice, and sitar.

How to Register                                                                                                     To begin the process of enrolling for lessons, please contact your teacher of choice to arrange a first meeting at the beginning of the semester. For instruments with multiple instructors, please contact the area coordinator to be placed with the instructor best suited for your needs; the coordinators are Susan Smith for piano, Susan McBerry for voice, Lance Inouye for violin, Jeff Leonard for guitar, and Kaley Mason for World Music. 

Vocal Studies                                                                                                      Vocal Studies at Lewis & Clark College include individual lessons for credit, plus Vocal Performance Workshops, including music theatre workshop or opera workshop, which are offered every semester.  During your time at Lewis and Clark you will have the opportunity to have private vocal lessons each week where you will interact with your vocal instructor and work on building your own voice.  Our vocal instructors are Susan McBerry, Coordinator of Vocal Activities, Anna Haagenson, Carl Halvorson, and Zsofia Csikos. In addition, you will sing for your peers and the voice faculty at monthly repertoire classes where you’ll critique each other in a supportive atmosphere and learn from each other’s strengths, gaining confidence in singing in public.  If voice is your major instrument you will have the opportunity to prepare and perform two vocal recitals and may be able to collaborate with other performers and composers in their projects.

For a complete list of applied lessons and performance classes, please visit the page in the Undergraduate Catalog.