Our Coaches
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is where you learn to play!
A Note from the Founder
Andy Harrison
"We are excited to help you discover all you can do with music and to learn in a way that's the most fun and effective for you. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your lifelong adventure with music!"
Andy is a musician, recording artist and music producer living in Hillsboro Oregon. He has over 35 years of teaching and teacher training experience. He has written over 3000 songs, recorded over 37 albums and had three nationally charted singles. Andy developed the American Guitar Academy learning method which has been used in hundreds of teaching facilities across the U.S. to help thousands of people reach their goals learning music.
Karyn Hanson
I've been involved with music in many ways over the last 45 years. I began playing guitar in grade school and have been honored to be a student of classical guitarist, Michael Davis. I have experience with the music business as a concert producer at Portland State University. I am currently finishing my degree in Music and Sonic Arts at Portland Community College where I perform solo and as a member of ensembles. I excel in music theory and composition and have many years of teaching experience. I've been a music coach at American Guitar Academy since August of 2019 and am currently coaching guitar, piano, drums, voice and ukulele.
Isaak Boorstein
I have always enjoyed singing and performing. When I was fifteen, I took my first music course, a guitar, songwriting, and music history class. Ever since, creating music has been a main driving force in my life. Growing up, our house was full of all types of instruments. Over the years, I would teach my friends instruments so that I would have people to play music with and, in doing so, I discovered that teaching is something I love to do and have a talent for. At the University of Oregon, I studied Music Production and Performance, starred in the UO's production of Once: The Musical, and acted as the vocalist and guitarist for the School of Music's Pop Ensemble. I sing, play guitar, and piano in two local Portland bands, and produce music for a few PNW artists. I love talking about music and music history. At AGA, I coach guitar, piano, drums, ukulele, and vocals.
Noah Marthe
Music has always been a staple of my life. Having learned guitar at the age of 14 I had the pleasure to watch the transformative power of music over the next decade. There is value in all art but music has a unique ability to change. It sharpens your confidence and precision but teaches you to approach the world with graceful thought. It's a reminder to feel and be human. The beauty of that resides in every genre of music, so I spent years studying and trying to learn it all. I formed my first band when I was 18 which I still travel and play in to this day. In addition to that, I started an independent record label and show promotion company in Portland which is also still active.
I've always been allured to the passion that drives music, hence why I always find myself returning to rock music in all its forms which I feel is my line of expertise whether it's blues , punk , metal , folk , country etc.
My specialty is primarily guitar , bass , harmonica and drums. My additional knowledge extends to piano, ukulele, mandolin, and banjo. I could've never predicted the incredible opportunities I'd find through music and I have the honor to include working with AGA Music Lessons as one of them where I'm Coaching guitar, piano, drums, voice and ukulele.
Tom Casiano
From my early beginnings in music with church and school, I have always understood the value of music in our lives as more than just a form of entertainment. Once I moved to Oregon, I had already accomplished multi-track recording on 4 track tape with my band from Bellingham, WA and played many of the celebrated clubs and venues of the early 90's in the Pacific Northwest. I currently play multiple instruments with a new interest in DAW recording based on my early work with sound module synthesis (analog synthesizers). One of the things that excites me the most about music is the way that music creation has become more accessible to everyone who is willing to spend the time to enjoy the simplicity of creation through a basic understanding of both the instruments and principles used to compose. Music is simply a part of my life and I feel grateful to be able to share my experience as a coach with the AGA.
Sydney Timm
My name is Sydney and I'm currently at Pacific University completing my Bachelors of Music Education and Bachelors of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance. Going hand in hand with my life long passion for music is a deep love of musical theater. I've performed with many local community theaters, notably playing Sophie in Mamma Mia and Marian Paroo in The Music Man. I'm a mentor teacher for Pacific University’s Choral Project, and have worked with Forest Grove High School teaching and conducting their spring choir concert. I'm Coaching voice, piano and ukulele lessons at AGA and am thrilled to have the opportunity to help you find your passion for music!
Bob Bakke
My name is Bob and I have enjoyed playing and teaching music for most of my adult life. I grew up on a strict diet of punk rock but as I grew, so did my interests. I now enjoy participating in a myriad of genres, styles, and instruments. I have an eclectic mix of experience from performing in off-broadway musicals as a drummer to playing the musical saw in bluegrass bands and many other points in between.
I also have a deep love for music theory and have honed my ability to teach it as a music tutor at Portland Community College. I studied music theory at Portland Community College and music history at Portland State University. I'm Coaching drum kit, guitar, bass, ukulele, and piano at AGA.
Nicolas Cobb
When I was 13 years old my sister came home with an acoustic guitar and some chord sheets. She gave me a couple songs to try and I was hooked, now it's my guitar. Thanks, sis! I've used that start and have recorded my own albums, played originals throughout Las Vegas and Portland, tribute acts for ranging from the Beatles to grunge, published music reviews, college radio dj, collabed with my high school orchestra and featured Shady Pines Radio too! Now I'm coaching guitar, bass, vocals and drums at AGA and I'm excited to see what we can accomplish!
Andres Perez-Lete
Hello! My name is Andres Perez-Lete, I am a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and composer. I started playing guitar at age 10 quickly fell in love with music. I am heading into my senior year at Glencoe High School, where I am the choir president of the school’s concert choir. I have also participated in the school’s jazz band and wind ensemble. I am so excited to share the joy of music with others. I am currently Coaching guitar, piano, drums and ukulele at AGA.