Your Local Piano Instructor
A Seattle native with 20 years of teaching experience, Ashley is described by students and families as patient, down‑to‑earth, and great at explaining things in simple, practical ways. She teaches both in‑person and online, helping kids and adults learn songs they love while building solid technique and confidence at the keyboard.
About Ashley Young
Teaching & Musical Background
Ashley Young began classical piano training at the age of six. By the age of twelve, she was exploring other styles of music, including blues, jazz, and gospel, and she began performing publicly at sixteen. She earned her B.A. in Music from Whittier College in California, where she directed the Whittier College Jazz Ensemble for four years under the instruction of music professor and Grammy Award-winning jazz flutist Danilo Lozano.
After college, Ashley pursued a professional career as a blues and jazz pianist and singer in the Pacific Northwest and began her teaching practice from her home studio. She has taught at several academies, schools, music camps, and workshops along the West Coast, including the Port Townsend Centrum Workshops.
Coming from a family of educators, teaching comes naturally to Ashley. It is her passion to work closely and patiently with children and adults, helping them excel in their musical goals while having fun. She aims not only to teach music but also to build her students’ confidence.
Today, Ashley Young is the instructor and founder of Harmony Tree Piano Lessons, as well as a mother of three and an active musician in her community and church.
Common Methods and Resources Used
Ashley draws from established pedagogies and resources, combining them to fit each student's needs:
Suzuki: For young beginners, with a focus on ear training and early repertoire.
Alfred and Faber: For graded repertoire, sight-reading, and technical studies.
Czerny and Hanon: Select studies for developing finger independence and speed at appropriate stages.
Jazz method books: For students pursuing improvisation and chordal harmony.
Custom arrangements: For students interested in pop and contemporary music.
Studio Environment and Student Experience
Harmony Tree provides a welcoming studio with well-maintained pianos, comfortable seating, and materials to support home practice. Lessons are structured yet adaptable. Ashley Young begins with warm-ups, introduces or reviews repertoire, works on technique and music theory, and finishes with goal-setting for the next lesson. Parents receive regular updates and practical practice strategies, while adult learners receive realistic plans that fit their work and family commitments.
Success Stories and Testimonials (Summary)
While respecting student privacy, Harmony Tree celebrates many success stories: young beginners who have progressed to grade-level exams, teenagers accepted into school music programs, adults who have returned to piano after years away, and students who have developed improvisation skills and stage presence through recitals.
Parents often note increased confidence, discipline, and enjoyment in their children as direct outcomes of consistent lessons.
Professional Development and Community Involvement
Harmony Tree regularly attends workshops and sessions, ensuring that its teaching methods reflect current best practices. The studio participates in local music events and collaborates with community organizations to promote music education and performance opportunities.
Seasonal recitals and community outreach programs give students valuable real-world performance experience.
Why Families Choose Harmony Tree
- Consistent results: Students make measurable progress because of targeted goals and personalized practice plans.
- Motivation and fun: Lessons blend structure with pieces students love.
- Safety and reliability: Lessons take place in a safe, accessible Shoreline studio with clear scheduling and communication.
- Performance education: Students learn how to prepare mentally and technically for recitals, leading to confident performances.
How the Instructor Supports Practice at Home
Ashley Young provides clear, actionable practice instructions each week:
- Daily minute goals and warm-up routines
- Breakdown of difficult passages into manageable, measurable segments
- Focused practice techniques such as slow practice, hands-separate practice, and rhythmic variations
- Multimedia resources, including reference recordings and recommended apps for metronome and music theory practice
This structure helps parents and students translate lesson progress into consistent home practice.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are teacher qualifications and background?
The lead instructor has formal education in music performance and pedagogy, certifications in teaching, and years of experience in private and group instruction.
Do you teach different styles?
Yes — classical, jazz, pop, musical theater, and contemporary styles are all supported with tailored teaching strategies.
How are lesson lengths determined?
Lesson length is chosen based on age, attention span, and goals: typical formats include 30, 45, or 60-minute lessons.
Can the instructor prepare students for music exams?
Yes. I prepare students for ABRSM, RCM, and school-level auditions with structured repertoire, mock exams, and performance coaching.
How do you handle student motivation challenges?
I use age and interest-appropriate repertoire, goal setting, and short-term milestones. I also communicate with parents to align home reinforcement strategies.
Contact and Next Steps
If you’d like to meet the instructor, Book Lesson or Contact us at (206) 450-2550. A trial lesson gives both the student and teacher a chance to assess fit and learning style. Harmony Tree is located at Shoreline, Washington, United States.