Music
Rediscover your musical soul at Cornish+. We bring maverick composers, cutting-edge jazz, and international performers to help you refine your skills and develop your own path as an amateur musician or a pro in the music industry.
![Asian man composing song on a keyboard in a studio](/sites/default/files/styles/banner_full/public/2023-06/MUSIC_2x_1.jpg?itok=EqXo1935)
Musicianship Foundations
![Headshot of Leanna Keith](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2023-06/L_KEITH_2x.jpg?itok=0wie6j7a)
Leanna Keith
A freelance flutist, artist, improviser, and composer in the Seattle area, Leanna Keith delights in creating sound experiences that make audiences laugh, cry, and say: “I didn’t know the flute could do that!” She also teaches as the flute professor at Cornish College of the Arts. Her performance artworks have focused on cultural connection and the breaking of audience/performer boundaries. In 2021 she released her first solo album, TAROT Album, which she composed, performed, recorded, and mixed. The album release show premiered online, featuring collaborations between choreographers, digital media artists, stop motion artists, puppetry, and more.
Leanna is currently a co-director of the chamber music ensemble Kin of the Moon, with violist/improviser Heather Bentley and composer/vocalist Kaley Lane Eaton. Kin of the Moon is an improvisation-centric, technology-friendly chamber music series incubated in Seattle's rich musical scene. The series explores sonic rituals, promotes cross-pollination of genres, emphasizes the communicative power of specific performance locales, and celebrates the creativity that multiplies itself through the collaboration of performers and composers.
Modeled after Cornish’s core undergraduate music curriculum, this course will explore foundational theoretical principles in music theory through analysis, composition, improvisation, performance, and listening. This foundational class is an introduction to basic music theory and ear training including notation for pitch and rhythm; intervals;
Composition for Film, Games & TV
![Headshot of BC Campbell](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2023-06/BC_CAMPBELL_2x.jpg?itok=roAYaOL5)
BC Campbell
Music for Film, Games, and TV affords teens an exciting opportunity to write their own soundtracks to Hollywood blockbusters, epic video games, and favorite TV shows. In a creative and supportive environment, teens will gain fundamental skills, with particular emphasis on composing for media; as well as learn the ins-and-outs of digital audio
Producing Music
![Headshot of BC Campbell](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2023-06/BC_CAMPBELL_2x.jpg?itok=roAYaOL5)
BC Campbell
All musicians, regardless of style or instrument, can benefit from learning the basics of music production. Through exercises and small projects designed to strengthen the technical understanding of music production, teens will be given the opportunity to write and produce their own music. This intensive gives an overview of software, including
Live Sound Engineering
![Headshot of Daniel Goody](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2023-06/D_GOODY_2x.jpg?itok=p6QeSaOT)
Daniel Goody
Daniel Goody has been working in the performing arts field since 2001 starting in the UK as a sound engineer. Presently working as the Head of Audio at the Playhouse in Seattle for Cornish College of the Arts, his work has spanned many disciplines over the years including audio, light and video design. His primary collaboration since 2015 has been with the Danish immersive theatre group Sisters Hope.
Following a decade in Sweden as the Technical Director at the culture house Inkonst Malmö, Daniel formed artistic partnerships with a number of performance, dance and theatre groups based throughout the Nordic and European regions. These collaborations, with groups such as; Institutet, White On White, Jon & Juli and Lucie Tuma explored the family, critical whiteness and the relationship to the body on a wholly radical level.
Learn the fundamentals for live sound engineering to create a finished product for an artist's live audio performance needs. You will learn the principles and technical aspects of the world of sound reinforcement by diving deep into PA setup, mixing consoles, dynamic, spectral and modulating effects.While this intensive may be taken independently,
Recording Ensemble
![Barry Sebastian Head shot](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2024-02/Screenshot%202024-02-06%20at%206.27.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=HX63RR4s)
Barry Sebastian
Barry is a sound engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the music industry with expertise in mixing, podcasting and concert hall acoustic engineering.. He is also an arranger, podcaster and composer. Barry has a Bachelor's degree focused in Music Theory and Composition from Cornish College of the Arts.
This elective focuses on live, improvisational music that allows the student to learn music communication between band members. Like throwing paint on a canvas, students will learn how to combine a simple melody or bass line into a foundation for a track they can record. Students will perform on their own instruments, or try new instruments on
Voice for Musical Theater
![David Taylor Gomes in a blue tshirt with glasses](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2024-02/David%20Taylor%20Gomes_headshot_2023%202.jpg?itok=FLlvjieU)
David Taylor Gomes
David Taylor Gomes (he/they) is a composer, music director, and actor, best known for writing Boxed Up: The Musical and Ranked, featured in the HBO Documentary “My So-Called High School Rank”. David was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2023 Eugene O’Neill National Music Theatre Conference for his new musical in development The Way. David also co-founded UproarTheatrics.com, a theatrical licensing company. In Seattle David has worked with Village Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Taproot Theatre, Showtunes, Artswest, and Seattle Children's Theatre. He has also performed at Sacramento Theatre Company, Capital Stage, and the iconic Birdland Jazz Club in NYC. In addition to performing, David coaches singers, songwriters, and pianists at his music studio in Seattle. His students have performed on Broadway, national tours, The Disney Channel, and many regional theatres across the US.
In this class, students will strengthen skills for confident singing, focusing on character-driven vocals, ensemble singing, and general singing technique. Each student will have the opportunity to sing solo material, as well as group singing. If this is your first time dipping a toe in the world of musical theatre, or if you're looking to brush up
Cornish+ Choir (Sunday)
![Emilia Kister standing in front of a microphone in black striped dress.](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2023-10/biophoto%20%281%29.jpg?itok=guvIOh81)
Emilia Kister
Emilia Kister began singing in a children’s choir and learning piano at the age of four, in Moscow, Russia where she studied at the Gnessin Specialized Musical School for Gifted Children. At the age of ten, her family immigrated to the United States and Emilia continued studying piano at the Kaufman Music Center in NYC. During High School, she sang in the school Choir, an a cappella group and fell in love with chamber music. For college, Emilia attended the Eastman School of Music to pursue a degree in piano performance, while there, she sang in the Eastman Chorale and continued to make music with others through accompanying and chamber music. During her third year of studies, Emilia switched from piano performance to music education, and hasn’t looked back since!
Do you yearn to sing in community? Cornish+ Choir is a vocal ensemble for people with varied musical abilities, open to complete beginners and experienced musicians alike, ages 5 - 99+. Knowledge of musical notation is not required, the songs will be taught by ear with lyrics projected. Musical selections will vary; expect to sing songs in
Cornish+ Choir (Monday)
![Emilia Kister standing in front of a microphone in black striped dress.](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2023-10/biophoto%20%281%29.jpg?itok=guvIOh81)
Emilia Kister
Emilia Kister began singing in a children’s choir and learning piano at the age of four, in Moscow, Russia where she studied at the Gnessin Specialized Musical School for Gifted Children. At the age of ten, her family immigrated to the United States and Emilia continued studying piano at the Kaufman Music Center in NYC. During High School, she sang in the school Choir, an a cappella group and fell in love with chamber music. For college, Emilia attended the Eastman School of Music to pursue a degree in piano performance, while there, she sang in the Eastman Chorale and continued to make music with others through accompanying and chamber music. During her third year of studies, Emilia switched from piano performance to music education, and hasn’t looked back since!
Do you yearn to sing in community? Cornish+ Choir is a vocal ensemble for people with varied musical abilities, open to complete beginners and experienced musicians alike, ages 5 - 99+. Knowledge of musical notation is not required, the songs will be taught by ear with lyrics projected. Musical selections will vary; expect to sing songs in
Live Sound Engineering
![Headshot of Daniel Goody](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2023-06/D_GOODY_2x.jpg?itok=p6QeSaOT)
Daniel Goody
Daniel Goody has been working in the performing arts field since 2001 starting in the UK as a sound engineer. Presently working as the Head of Audio at the Playhouse in Seattle for Cornish College of the Arts, his work has spanned many disciplines over the years including audio, light and video design. His primary collaboration since 2015 has been with the Danish immersive theatre group Sisters Hope.
Following a decade in Sweden as the Technical Director at the culture house Inkonst Malmö, Daniel formed artistic partnerships with a number of performance, dance and theatre groups based throughout the Nordic and European regions. These collaborations, with groups such as; Institutet, White On White, Jon & Juli and Lucie Tuma explored the family, critical whiteness and the relationship to the body on a wholly radical level.
Learn the fundamentals for live sound engineering to create a finished product for an artist's live audio performance needs. You will learn the principles and technical aspects of the world of sound recording by diving deep into PA setup, mixing consoles, dynamic, spectral and modulating effects.
Taiko Drumming
![Headshot of Leanna Keith](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2023-06/L_KEITH_2x.jpg?itok=0wie6j7a)
Leanna Keith
A freelance flutist, artist, improviser, and composer in the Seattle area, Leanna Keith delights in creating sound experiences that make audiences laugh, cry, and say: “I didn’t know the flute could do that!” She also teaches as the flute professor at Cornish College of the Arts. Her performance artworks have focused on cultural connection and the breaking of audience/performer boundaries. In 2021 she released her first solo album, TAROT Album, which she composed, performed, recorded, and mixed. The album release show premiered online, featuring collaborations between choreographers, digital media artists, stop motion artists, puppetry, and more.
Leanna is currently a co-director of the chamber music ensemble Kin of the Moon, with violist/improviser Heather Bentley and composer/vocalist Kaley Lane Eaton. Kin of the Moon is an improvisation-centric, technology-friendly chamber music series incubated in Seattle's rich musical scene. The series explores sonic rituals, promotes cross-pollination of genres, emphasizes the communicative power of specific performance locales, and celebrates the creativity that multiplies itself through the collaboration of performers and composers.
Unleash your rhythm and immerse yourself in the thunderous world of taiko drumming. Join our beginner's class and experience the exhilarating energy as you learn the ancient art form. Guided by skilled teaching artist Leanna Keith, you'll discover the power of your beats, creating captivating rhythms that resonate with the heartbeat of the drums.
String Band
![Sarah Comer playing violin on stage wearing all black.](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2024-06/Sarah%20Comer%20-%20photo%20credit%20Dennis%20Box%20%202.jpg?itok=PJl9LyEY)
Sarah Comer
Sarah Comer grew up learning from generations of old time fiddlers here in the Pacific Northwest, and for 22 years has delighted in passing that unique flavor of Northwest fiddling —where southern style hoedowns are played beside Canadian reels, Irish jigs, and Scandinavian waltzes—on to her students. This melting pot music and its connection to traditional folk dancing inspired her to start a community dance band class in 2014, where folks could experience the music in its natural habitat. 11 years later, the class is still going strong and has grown to include a second band (The Raccoon Carnival) known around the Seattle contra dance circuit for their wild arrangements and multipart harmonies. Outside of teaching, Sarah has performed music of the 1800s for living history museums (including the Job Carr Cabin and Fort Nisqually), serves on the board of the Seattle Folklore Society, and is the Fiddle Community Coordinator for Northwest Folklife.
In this 8-week course, students will learn a tune a week and use those tunes to explore ear learning strategies (including scale and chord theory taught from an ear learner's perspective) and ways to embellish a tune with shuffle bowings, double stops and variations. Students will also practice jam skills, like key identification, playing
Piano Lab
A course designed for those wishing to continue their piano development as well as beginning learners. Learn music appropriate to your skill level while creating a foundational understanding of music theory through the study of chords, harmonic progressions and scales. Students will develop proficiency in note reading as well as learning by ear.
Build-A-Bass
![Brian Miller playing bass guitar](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2024-01/Canary%20Seated.jpg?itok=CYnVVy0a)
Brian Miller
Brian is a musician who has worked with Jonny Copeland, Bobby Radcliffe, Bunny Domino and others. He was a founding member of BBQ Bob and the Spare Ribs and produced their first recording. He came to woodworking by experimenting with a more ergonomic design for basses to alleviate periodic bouts of tendonitis.
He learned the basics of woodworking from master carpenter Joe Guida (Guida Woodworks, Flagstaff, AZ,) during the course of building his first prototype. Since then, he improved his skill by trial and error and getting advice from the master wood workers at IsGood WoodWorks and Ballard Woodworking. In 2020, he started Miller Basses and produces about three uniquely designed basses each year.
Build-A-Bass or Guitar!Are you interested in channeling your creativity to make an electric bass or guitar? In this class, students will learn how to design and build an instrument from the ground up. The course will cover:DesignWood and hardware selectionNeck constructionBody constructionFretting and Adding MarkersBody shapingNeck
TouchDesigner: Live Visuals for Live Performances
![Paul Lebel in a cap photo on tin type traditional photograph in grey](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2024-03/Paul%20Lebel%20Bio%20Pic%20V1%202.jpg?itok=cvSvGwwe)
Paul Lebel
From a young age, I've been captivated by light and its power to transform the world around me. At seven years old, I begged for a camera, eager to capture the magic of my small world through photography. This insatiable curiosity has fueled my journey as a visual storyteller, leading me across the globe to film and edit stories for brands worldwide. Through these experiences, I've grown as a person, and I remain just as curious and excited to explore new stories and mediums.
My artistic practice as A Box In The Sea extends into multimedia, print, and sound art. In my sound lab, I experiment with soundscapes and scores, translating them into visuals and rendering them into pen and ink. This process of creating and transforming sound into art is a continuous cycle of discovery, and it's a journey I feel lucky to be on.
In this introductory class, students will dive into the world of TouchDesigner, a powerful visual platform for creating stunning real-time projections and immersive experiences. Focusing on the application of TouchDesigner in live performances, students will learn the fundamentals of real-time video manipulation, 2 and 3D graphics and audio
Mandolin Skill Development
![Matt Sircely playing a black mandolin with a blue button down shirt.](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2024-06/Matt-Sircely-7.jpg?itok=XGEUllkn)
Matt Sircely
Matt Sircely is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living in Port Townsend. He has provided adjunct mandolin instruction at Cornish also teaching annually at workshops and classes over the years in places like Washington, Idaho, British Colombia and Louisiana, and the Mandolin Symposium in California. Over the years, Matt has introduced hundreds of mandolin students to their first swing tunes on mandolin. A founding member of the string swing ensemble Hot Club Sandwich, Matt appears on the most recent Hot Club Sandwich album alongside mandolin master David Grisman on half of the tracks.
As an instrumentalist, Matt Sircely has performed extensively in a breadth of stylistic contexts such as folk, blues, Tejano roots music, klezmer and other Jewish music, country bands and bluegrass outfits, everything from the old-time square dance community to the Seattle jazz scene. His musical interests extend to the many folk styles from around the world. Most recently, he has been cultivating a deep passion for fiddle tunes related to his ancestral roots in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
In 2008, Sircely co-founded a roots fusion band with a Cornish student at the time, the late great Joseph Mascorella on drums and vocals. Together, they worked for years striving to reach new heights in composition and improvisation. Matt has also performed in duo format with many artists, including songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Danny Barnes, who also produced his first album of all original songs. Sircely and Barnes also released an album recorded live in California which included several of Matt’s own songs.
As a music writer on assignment for the Fretboard Journal and other music magazines, Sircely has researched and written articles about legendary artists including Andy Statman, Wade Mainer, Juan Reynoso, Radim Zenkl, Hamilton de Holanda, Lee Stripling, Calvin Vollrath, Buell Neidlinger, Danny Barnes, and the founding of the David Grisman Quintet.
At his home on the Olympic Peninsula, Matt Sircely is always writing songs and producing new recordings. He enjoys spending time in his vegetable garden and programming the music lineups at his local farmers markets.
This course is designed for mandolin players to engage in hands-on study of the mandolin fretboard, including moving up and down the neck. In this group setting, students will work on a variety of tunes and learn how to use the pick to achieve variations of tone, adding personalized nuance to techniques like mandolin tremolo. Learn how to
American Roots Ensemble
![Matt Sircely playing a black mandolin with a blue button down shirt.](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2024-06/Matt-Sircely-7.jpg?itok=XGEUllkn)
Matt Sircely
Matt Sircely is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living in Port Townsend. He has provided adjunct mandolin instruction at Cornish also teaching annually at workshops and classes over the years in places like Washington, Idaho, British Colombia and Louisiana, and the Mandolin Symposium in California. Over the years, Matt has introduced hundreds of mandolin students to their first swing tunes on mandolin. A founding member of the string swing ensemble Hot Club Sandwich, Matt appears on the most recent Hot Club Sandwich album alongside mandolin master David Grisman on half of the tracks.
As an instrumentalist, Matt Sircely has performed extensively in a breadth of stylistic contexts such as folk, blues, Tejano roots music, klezmer and other Jewish music, country bands and bluegrass outfits, everything from the old-time square dance community to the Seattle jazz scene. His musical interests extend to the many folk styles from around the world. Most recently, he has been cultivating a deep passion for fiddle tunes related to his ancestral roots in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
In 2008, Sircely co-founded a roots fusion band with a Cornish student at the time, the late great Joseph Mascorella on drums and vocals. Together, they worked for years striving to reach new heights in composition and improvisation. Matt has also performed in duo format with many artists, including songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Danny Barnes, who also produced his first album of all original songs. Sircely and Barnes also released an album recorded live in California which included several of Matt’s own songs.
As a music writer on assignment for the Fretboard Journal and other music magazines, Sircely has researched and written articles about legendary artists including Andy Statman, Wade Mainer, Juan Reynoso, Radim Zenkl, Hamilton de Holanda, Lee Stripling, Calvin Vollrath, Buell Neidlinger, Danny Barnes, and the founding of the David Grisman Quintet.
At his home on the Olympic Peninsula, Matt Sircely is always writing songs and producing new recordings. He enjoys spending time in his vegetable garden and programming the music lineups at his local farmers markets.
All strings welcome! Learn a variety of new skills and music in a group setting with this course that covers a breadth of American roots music styles through hands-on ensemble activity. By playing and learning by ear strongly encouraged, (written music will also be provided) students will learn to communicate with and support other musicians in
Music Composition for Brass
In this course, designed for all levels of composers, students will either deepen their knowledge of brass composition or begin to have an understanding of brass instrumentation, techniques, and tonal possibilities. Participants will explore the unique characteristics of various brass instruments, learn compositional techniques in notation, and
Intro To Beat Making
The rich history of beatmaking has its roots in hip hop but has expanded to encompass a wide range of musical expression. In this 8-week course, students will learn the fundamentals of beatmaking using the DAW Ableton Live. Each week we’ll be diving into a new aspect of composition and production, culminating in a fully mixed track ready for
Music Composition for Strings
This course is tailored for both aspiring and seasoned composers interested in building their string composition tool box or growing beyond their current string composition knowledge. Students will dive into the dynamic characteristics of various string instruments, from the violin to the double bass, and explore techniques to enhance their current
Music Licensing and Publishing for Musicians
The Music Licensing and Publishing for Musicians course offers a comprehensive exploration of the music licensing and publishing world. Over the span of 8 weeks, musicians will gain a deep understanding of music copyright, different types of licenses, rights, and royalties associated with music usage. They will learn about protecting their
Practical Music Theory for Musicians
Bring your musical knowledge up a level with our "Practical Music Theory" course, designed for musicians who can already play, but lack formal theory knowledge. This course combines the skills between performance and understanding, offering practical knowledge into the building blocks of music. Students will learn the concepts of scales,
Songwriters Workshop
In this workshopping course, creativity meets collaboration in a supportive and dynamic environment for musicians to grow through peer and faculty feedback. Designed for aspiring and experienced songwriters, this course provides a unique opportunity to refine your skills through interactive sessions with faculty and peers. Participants will engage
String Band
![Ruthie Dornfeld with her fiddle](/sites/default/files/styles/max_1600w/public/2023-06/R_DORNFIELD_2x.jpg?itok=ucFbKXG7)
Ruthie Dornfeld
Seattle fiddler Ruthie Dornfeld’s vibrant, expressive playing is voiced in a wide range of traditional fiddle styles, from Celtic, American Old-Time, and French Canadian, Scandinavian, and Eastern European. She has performed and taught widely throughout the US, Europe, and South America. During her 15 year sojourn in New England, Ruthie studied at Berklee College of Music, was a member of the twin fiddle stringband The Poodles, the bluegrass band Boston City Limits, the Hungarian band The Pulis, was a mainstay on the contra dance circuit, and toured Europe with tapdancer Ira Bernstein and with the Copenhagen-based American Cafe Orchestra. Since returning to the Pacific Northwest in 1996, she has been a member of the French cabaret group Rouge, performs with guitar master John Miller, with the quintet Tangoheart, and for local contra and English dancing.
This course is taught in the old-time tradition of learning by ear, and each week students will learn one new tune that they will focus on to perfect their technique. Going beyond the typical “jam session,” this course was developed to elevate players’ ear training, harmonizing, and to help grow musician communication styles for future old-time
Teaching Artists
Kelly Ash
BC Campbell
Silas Berlin
Ruthie Dornfeld
Ryan Devlin
Leanna Keith
Ray Larsen
Andrew Joslyn
Barry Sebastian
Matt Sircely
Sarah Comer
Cornish is committed to making our courses available for anyone who demonstrates financial need and interest through discounts and financial assistance. Seniors 55+ receive a 15% discount with proof of age. Students of any age or military may request financial assistance. For senior, military, or student financial aid, please fill out the form prior to registration.
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