Eliot is a multi-instrumentalist and a songwriter who has played piano for over 25 years and has done a bit of everything in the music scene. In college, he studied songwriting under Sue Ennis, known for her work with the Seattle rock band Heart. As a performer, he has shared the stage and recorded with artists including The Lashes, Al Rowe, and Bottlenose Koffins, and founded the indie rock group On Grounds as a guitarist and vocalist.

At the heart of Eliot’s work is his passion for teaching. Eliot spent three years as a music teacher at an elementary school, where he also led the 3rd–5th grade rock band elective, and has run music camps during spring and summer breaks. Those experiences shaped the way he approaches lessons today.

Over time, Eliot started building his own curriculum to better engage younger and beginner students. While lessons still include technique and method books, he puts a strong emphasis on making music feel fun and accessible from the start. A lesson with Eliot begins with “Name That Tune,” uses improvisation and “magical accompaniment chords” to build confidence early, and includes original activities like Piano Pets, the Wheel of Chords, and the Dart Game.

During the pandemic, Eliot developed a system for teaching online using magnetic whiteboards and interactive tools to keep lessons engaging over Zoom. That approach, along with his curriculum and teaching style, is shared with other Cloud Chords teachers to create a consistent and engaging experience for students.

Eliot’s simple philosophy is at the heart of every Cloud Chords lesson: learning music should be fun.

Kaitlin Nguyen is a pianist of over 15 years and a violinist of over 10 years. She is currently a junior studying Computer Science & Software Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Washington Bothell. She primarily teaches piano, and was previously a math instructor for students grades K-12. She enjoys working with her students to find a learning structure that will work for them, and material that they are passionate and excited about. In her spare time she records and performs with Waxling, a band local to Seattle, and other musical ensembles from the University of Washington.

Vince Bigos studied guitar performance at Central Washington University. He worked as a musician for Holland America Cruise Lines for 2 years. He currently performs solo and with his country band, Invisible Cowboys, throughout the Pacific Northwest. As an instructor, Vince brings a knowledge of many styles of music, a simple approach to music theory, and a focus on technique that will set every student up for success.

Jessica started learning about music and the piano as a small child. As far back as she remembers, she’s been singing, writing songs, and playing music. Later, as an adult, Jessica took more advanced piano lessons before beginning her own music teaching career. She earned her first Bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology, and also took music classes as electives. It was then that she decided she wanted to professionally pursue music teaching and therapy long-term.

Jessica is inspired by the creativity of musicians from all kinds of genres. She enjoys The Blues, Jazz, classical, R&B, folk, country, oldies and much more. She is excited to be teaching piano with Cloud Chords, because she enjoys making music education an exciting collaborative experience with her students. Her first goal is to help expose new students to many genres and to fall in love with the language of music like she did as a child. She wants to assist them in developing their tastes and interests, while establishing their foundational skills. When or if that foundation has been set, she tailors more nuanced goals to her students’ preferences and strengths. She teaches a standard piano curriculum but also engages with their likes and dislikes to help uncover their passions and talent.

Steve is a drummer with 28 years of playing experience and has studied under greats such as Michael Shrieve, Garey Williams and Brian Lilly. He has toured in many countries and played in a wide variety of groups ranging from jazz to country to rock-'n'-roll to whatever. He loves studying music himself and believes there is no end to learning.

A lesson with Steve will focus on an overall understanding of technique, independence, drum theory of just general musical fun (because that's what's it's all about!) He believes in a comfortable, non-lecture approach and a connection to a student's artistic interests, but his main goal is to teach a student how to practice and find their path on their musical journey. Currently Steve runs the drum shop at Re-Animated Music. He has an extensive knowledge of the anatomy of drums themselves and can assist with anything from refurbishing to simple tuning or general drum history. Like everyone else, Steve's only goal in life is to find happiness and he does it through drumming. Helping and encouraging others just makes it all the more better. "The only truly gifted people are those with the desire to keep learning and better themselves. Someone said that but I can't remember who." -Steve

Ken Jacobsen is a mandolinist, guitarist, cellist, composer, and producer. He has a degree in classical guitar performance and has performed and recorded many different classical styles including Renaissance, Baroque, Spanish/Flamenco, Brazilian guitar, Tango and modern music. He performs regularly as a solo guitarist and with various ensembles including Tacoma's Verde ensemble and the Vashon-Maury Island Chamber Orchestra. He also loves playing Jazz guitar, everything from Duke Ellington to Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Bossa Nova, and Cuban Son.

Ken has been playing cello as well for many years, beginning in college with an irresistible urge to learn the Bach Cello Suites, and performs regularly on electric cello with loops and effects, creating multi-layered ambient soundscapes. His love of world and folk music led him to the Middle Eastern Oud, Hammered Dulcimer, Mandolin and Djembe. Ken's first real instrument was a Fender Stratocaster, and he's always ready for a funky throw-down, having played with bands such as Vashon funk powerhouse Blue Monster. He has more recently been involved in electronic music production and performance, with unique live performances combining hardware synthesizers and drum machines with cello, guitar and percussion.