Upstart Rock Program

KTL is a leading Portland music school because our approach to teaching music is based on two main principles: 

• We allow children to play music that interests them:

Students enjoy the learning process more and grow faster if they play music they know and like. If they are unsure, we will help them find music that speaks to them and is appropriate for their level.

• Learning by ear:

If children put in the time to learn something by ear, their ownership of the experience and confidence in their abilities grow exponentially

Custom music classes:

We design private instruction and group music classes for all ages:

• A well-rounded education:

We develop the student’s music reading abilities, theory comprehension, technique, rhythm, ear training, creativity, and performance practice.

• Goals:

We set goals at the start of each semester, keep track of our assignments, and give on demand progress reports. 

• Opportunities for growth:

We offer many ways for students to develop their musical skills including formal and mini recitals, UpStartRock, the Karaoke Concert, invitational performances for upper level students, demo recordings, and teen volunteering at our summer camp.

• Jam Sessions:

Students get time at their lessons to have a supported jam session and are encouraged to figure out songs by ear and devise their own songs.

We Hold Students And Teachers Accountable Through Performances:

Performances are essential to grow musically. They give our students an opportunity to perform for each other, their families, and the greater community in a setting that actually helps them face stage fright and conquer it. We hold two formal recitals each year and mini recitals at community retirement homes.

KTL’S Secret That Gets Kids Practicing:

We believe that every student enjoys the learning process more and grows faster as a musician if they play music that interests them. It also helps immensely if the student has a deep sense of how the music they’re learning is supposed to sound which means we prize learning by ear as much as we do learning by reading.

We cultivate both skills. Along with their lesson and theory books, students get to choose their own music or are given help in finding music that speaks to them that’s appropriate for their level.

Going along with their creative development, students get time at their lessons to have a supported jam session and are encouraged to figure out songs by ear and devise their own songs. We make lessons fun, interesting, and challenging.