Healthcare

As a benefit of membership, the Musicians Union offers dental insurance for an additional charge.

For more information go to the Membership page and click on Healthcare.

News, Events, Opinion

Lori Shepherd

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Author: shepherd.lori@gmail.com
Posted: January 31, 2020

Lori Shepherd is a freelance woodwind specialist and private instructor. She holds a Master’s degree in Clarinet performance, and has interests in chamber music, orchestra, jazz ensembles, salsa, and musical theater. She currently plays clarinet with Compass Winds Quintet (https://compasswinds.com), and Trio de Bois, who recently released a new album Taking Root, available on all streaming services.

Lori also actively performs with Blackwood&Silver Trio, and the Ladies’ Quintessential Quintet. She plays alto saxophone with Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, and baritone saxophone with Bamboo and Brass Ltd. Saxophone Quartet. Her instrument doublings include all clarinets, all saxes, flute, piccolo, and oboe, and performs extensively in musical theater.

www.shepherdmusicstudios.com

Olivia D. Hamilton

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Author: Olivia Hamilton
Posted: January 8, 2020

As a performer, I enjoy singing and playing a variety of styles. As a bassist, I have performed everything from orchestral music to circus/cabaret to dive bar rock and as a vocalist, I have trained in the operatic, jazz, and musical theatre genres. But I love singing funk any day of the week! I was raised on a diverse musical diet, frequently consuming Beethoven, Rush, Miles Davis, Janis Joplin, Queen, Schostakovitch, and Leonard Cohen in the same day. Because of this, I have always been happiest when I can look at a gig holistically, letting my musical experiences inform each other across genre lines. Striving for holistic and consummate musicianship happily also impacts me as an actor and as a teacher.

Music has a tendency to permeate everything in my life, but when I am not performing, teaching, composing, arranging, or practicing, I enjoy living into my viking domesticity and can frequently be found cooking, sewing, spinning yarn, SCUBA diving, or studying and practicing herbalism. Also, I am very happy to be household staff to the most exquisite of Fur Beasts (see pictures here).

I have been teaching a variety of instruments privately for over twelve years and have enjoyed giving both individual lessons and coaching sectionals as well as being part of masterclasses and workshops for bands and small ensembles. In addition to providing coaching for Bass and Voice, I also tutor in music theory and consult on songwriting and composition/orchestration.

My teaching philosophy for both bass and voice is that every student is an individual and their instruments are as unique as they are. I work with my students to reach whatever goals we may have set together, whether that is polishing their skills in a specific genre, or focusing on sustainable technique and navigating changes in voice or a growing body. I have had the privilege of working with students of all ages, skill levels, and identities.

If you are interested in more details about my private studio or would like to book me, feel free to send me a message!

Puget Sounds Quintet and Trio

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Author: Kirsten James
Posted: April 22, 2019

Puget Sounds Quintet and Trio offers the fresh yet classic sound of the woodwind quintet or the elegance of a flute, oboe and cello trio. Puget Sounds performs at festivals, children’s concerts, weddings, private parties and corporate events. For a unique option a vocalist can be added to the ensemble. Puget Sounds’ top-caliber players have performed in numerous professional orchestras and ensembles in the region. For more information as well as audio and video clips, visit:

www.PugetSounds.info

Nate Omdal

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Author: nateomdal
Posted: June 5, 2018

Bassist, Composer, Producer, Nate Omdal has establishing himself as one of the Northwest’s most dependable producers and his work can be heard all over the city of Seattle. Nate has provided arrangements or worked as musical director for The Seattle International Film Festival, million dollar fundraisers, (Celebrate Swedish 2014) prestigious winery events, (Chateau St. Michelle Riesling Roundup) as well as the Seattle Art Museum and Bumbershoot. In 2010, Omdal began a partnership with MC/Producer Spekulation. Their work has received critical praise, their music being described as reaching “highbrow requirements, leveraging elegance and elevation on the boards.” (Dave Segal, The Stranger). In the beginning of 2016, Nate began an apprenticeship with Hollywood Composer Ron Jones (Family Guy, Star Trek: The Next Generation) as Nate continues to earn a reputation as a leading composer/arranger in the Seattle music community.

Omdal has been honored to have worked with such artists as LeRoy Bell, (X-Factor) Stephanie Ann Johnson (The Voice) NPR’s RadioLab, Tiler Peck (Principal Ballerina, New York City Ballet) Matthew Rushing, (Rehearsal Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre) Animation Dancer Marquese “Nonstop” Scott, GRAMMY Award Winning Artists Josh Rawlings and Jeremy Jones, Latin Grammy Nominee Jovino Santos-Neto. Nate has had the honors to be featured with jazz legends Bob Hammer (Charles Mingus, Gene Krupa), and the great Tenor Saxophonist Pete Christlieb (The Tonight Show)

For several years, Omdal has been an active advocate for musicians rights. In 2014, he worked as a consultant with the Seattle Mayor’s Office, Dept. of Transportation and the Office of Film and Music to create a pilot program to introduce musicians’ loading zones in Seattle’s busiest nightlife districts. Nate was also asked to speak at The Recording Academy Pacific Northwest Chapter’s 2nd Annual Songwriters Summit as a expert on musicians’ advocacy. In January of 2016, Nate was honored to testify before the Washington State House of Representatives as an advocate for musicians.

Omdal has earned a Bachelor of Music from Cornish College of the Arts. He has been financially supported by Jack Straw, 4Culture, and the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs. Currently Nate is serving on the Directors’ Board of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 76-493 and works as a contractor for SkyMuse Studios.

Begin Scarseth

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Author: Kirsten James
Posted: August 31, 2017

Ms. Scarseth is a born and raised Seattleite who’s roots run deep in the local music community. She has studied with many great local teachers including Walter Schwede, Gennady Filimonov, Emily Bean, Svend Ronning, and Peter Kaman. Growing up she went through all the orchestras of the world renowned Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra program as well as attending the Marrowstone Music Festivals and MasterWorks Festivals during her summers. Ms. Scarseth received a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 2004. Since college she has created a strong and vibrant career both as a teacher and a performing artist. Ms. Scarseth is currently a member of Symphony Tacoma as well as concertmistress of the Seattle Rock Orchestra. She teaches private lessons on Violin, Viola and Cello as well as assists classroom teachers in the Edmonds School District. Ms. Scarseth has a very kind and nurturing teaching style and has worked with students who have learning disabilities, hearing impairment issues, and anxiety and depression. Her goal is always to do what is best for the student while working with their unique gifts and talents.

Email
425-954-9047