Guitar, Uke, bass, Piano, Theory and songwriting
Tracy Kim
About Tracy
Tracy Kim is a Portland Oregon native. He started playing the guitar at the age of 8, piano at 10, and drums and bass at 12. During high school(Benson Polytechnic), Tracy was playing in the jazz band while jamming with friends on Van Halen and Led Zeppelin during the lunch break. It was during these formative years, he started writing and recording his own original compositions(on a Fostex 4-Track). After high school, Tracy went on to formally study music composition and jazz guitar at the University of Oregon, where he received his degree in music.
In his college years, Tracy kept quite busy. He was performing around town in many different jazz/rock.funk/soul/gospel combos and bands. He met an amazing singer named Deb Cleveland and co-founded the Deb Cleveland Band, which still performs all around the Northwest. When not performing, he was writing music. Tracy was commissioned to compose music for film(feature and short), commercials, multi-media, and music for a modern dance company(Dance Theater of Oregon).
Tracy is a highly sought after guitar instructor and clinician. He has 25+ years of teaching experience at colleges and privately. While still an undergraduate at U of O, he was asked to teach as an adjunct instructor. After teaching at U of O, he taught at Linfield College, Northwest Academy, Artichoke Music, VOX, and Swaha Studios. Tracy is proud to say many of his students have gone on to become professional musicians, recording artists, and/or music educators.
Most recently, Tracy has been writing, recording, producing, and performing music with different artists and in various genres. From his own power pop/rock songs with his band to co-writing and producing radio friendly country/pop songs by the Muriel Stanton Band.
Tracy is honored to have worked with/instructed many of Portland's finest songwriters(such as McKinley, Pete Krebs, Ben Darwish, Adam Zwig, to name few). Usually playing either his trusty, twangy Fender Telecaster or his old Gibson archtop jazz guitar. He often produces and helps develop the talent of many of his students who write their own music. His most recent project is with Common Starling, a folk/pop duo with the multi-talented Angie Sabin.
In Portland, Tracy might be most known as a gypsy/swing guitarist enthusiast and instructor. He can be caught performing gypsy swing music with his own trio or with Portland's favorite "Django" band, The Kung Pao Chickens. The KPC's have had a weekly Monday night gig at the Laurelthirst Pub for the last 18 years!
Tracy is currently available for private music lessons for all styles and all ages ranging from: guitar(acoustic and electric), piano, bass, ukulele, songwriting, composition, and theory. Also, he teaches workshops for Gypsy Jazz Guitar(in the style of Django Reinhardt), Jazz Ukulele; songwriting, Bossa Nova Guitar, Solo Jazz Guitar, and the music of the Beatles. He also does his own style "school of rock", helping coach young musicians in ensemble performance, songwriting, and arranging. Tracy will be the featured ukulele teacher at the popular Menucha Ukulele Camp in 2019.
Guitars,PIano,Uke,Improvisation,Theory
Tom Sandahl
About Tom
Tom Sandahl is a versatile, skilled guitarist, who performs music professionally in many different styles. Tom grew up in a musical household, and began piano lessons at the age of 6. Then at age 14, Tom went to a Metallica concert that changed his life. He switched to the guitar at that point(still plays piano though). After learning to play guitar in high school by copying his favorite guitarists, Tom continued his music studies at The University of Wyoming where he got his Bachelors in Classical Guitar Performance, and then to New Orleans where he earned a Masters in jazz Studies from The University of New Orleans. During his time in College, Tom had the opportunity to study with many world class Jazz and Classical musicians.
For the last 15 years, Tom has worked as a professional musician and educator in Portland, OR. He has taught private as well as group lessons, and clinics. As well as teaching privately, Tom has been an adjunct professor at multiple colleges teaching classes in music history, recording engineering, and directing ensembles. He has experience teaching all levels from 4 year old beginners, to advanced College students. As a performer, Tom has had the opportunity to work with several bands in the Portland area, and has performed all over the west. He also stays busy playing restaurant gigs as a solo guitarist, or in small combos. You can find him every Wednesday night at Portland’s premier steakhouse, El Guacho, where Tom has played for over 10 years.
Tom’s musical taste is very eclectic, and his guitar playing reflects it. Currently he is working with 6 different bands in very different styles. They include Traditional Jazz with The “Cherry Blossom Orchestra”(hollow body electric, tenor banjo), Latin music with “Group Masato”(Nylon String), Modern Jazz with “Loosewig”, “Innersphere”, and “E-Bonex”(Electric guitar w/ effects), and straight up funk/soul with “Tbone” of course!
When not working, Tom is either spending time with his wife and extremely active/busy 11 year old daughter, or out climbing mountains, trail running, backpacking, cycling, paddling, surfing, camping, swimming, or anything else outside.
We are extremely proud to introduce you to your teachers at
the Happy Valley School of Music!
Full Bios Coming Soon!
