Music is life.

Jamie has taught me a lot not only about playing the accordion but also about music theory and music arranging. She has a very supportive demeanor while still challenging me to go the extra step and do something more difficult. Jamie and Gabe have also created this amazing local community of accordion players. I have met some great fellow musicians and friends through attendance at their workshops and soirees. These are some of the most interesting people I have ever met — accordion players are such a creative and supportive bunch. I'd highly recommend a student of any playing ability to connect with Gabe and Jamie not only for lessons but for an introduction to a wonderful local community.

Jamie and Gabe can do anything on an accordion, and both are wonderful teachers. From kids starting out to seniors, both of them will gently and skillfully guide you through your accordion adventure with music you like to learn and play. Jamie has been my teacher for 12 years, and I have thoroughly enjoyed being one of her students.

I've been taking lessons from Gabe for about 2 years. The lessons are customized based on what my goals are and what music is currently inspiring me. Gabe knows how to compartmentalize a song, or sound I love into bite-size pieces that I can focus on for incremental progress. The constructive feedback on my playing and sound is invaluable. If you're looking to improve your technique and ability to learn the music you love, I highly recommend Emerald City Accordion.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have Gabe as my accordion teacher. His depth of understanding of the instrument is truly exceptional — he doesn't just teach notes, he teaches the full musical experience. Gabe has an amazing ability to take any song I want to learn and translate the entire feel of the band into the accordion. He captures the essence of the rhythm section — the bass, drums, rhythm guitar, and keyboards — and skillfully weaves it into a rich and dynamic left-hand arrangement.

At the same time, his right-hand instruction brings the melody to life with tasteful fills and harmonies that make each piece feel complete and expressive. What really sets Gabe apart is how clearly and effectively he teaches these nuances. He breaks things down in a way that makes even complex ideas approachable and enjoyable to learn.

Working with Gabe has been both inspiring and rewarding. I couldn't ask for a better teacher.

I have been taking jazz accordion lessons over Zoom from Gabe for over 5 years now. These five years have turned me into a whole different player. My main interest has been jazz fundamentals and playing standards from the Great American Songbook. Gabe has given me tools to create better sounding jazz chords and to add improvisation. I now have a library of exercises to facilitate bebop and other lines in all the keys. He has been patient with my changing interests and is always able to analyze a new song or cover a new topic even when I have not had time to practice since the last lesson! Gabe has encouraged me to listen to current and past jazz greats and to incorporate their ideas into my playing. Under his guidance, I have advanced in music notation and writing out ideas. This has allowed me to accumulate a library of full arrangements of standards. We have touched on Brazilian music (sambas, etc.) at my request. I highly recommend Gabe as a teacher to anyone who enjoys jazz accordion.