Teaching Artists
The Portland Creative Arts Collective houses various working artists in various disciplines. Many of whom offer private lessons, group lessons, and workshops in our space.
Karen Lam, Piano - LeeAnn McKenna, Flute - Dillon Nadler, Guitar - Mitchell Nelson, Trumpet - Marieke Schuurs, Voice - Grace Weaver, Voice
Karen Lam, Piano
A native of Hong Kong, Karen Lam received both Master’s of Music degrees in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from the University of Oregon. She also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her teachers include Dean Kramer, Claire Wachter, Betty Oberacker and Peter Gach. Both a soloist and a collaborative pianist, Ms. Lam has appeared in the International Workshops in Graz, Austria, Palomar College Concert Series, and with the Oregon Mozart Players and DeRosa Chamber Players. She has performed in Masterclasses coached by Stephen Hough, Fernando Laires, Martin Katz and Rosalyn Tureck. Ms. Lam has been an active member of the Oregon Music Teachers Association where her students have won numerous honors and awards in the Pacific Northwest. She is on the Music faculty as Staff Accompanist as well as the Dance faculty as Ballet Pianist at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. In addition to maintaining a private studio and serving as ballet pianist at Oregon Ballet Theatre and The Portland Ballet, Ms. Lam also devotes her time as Sensory Friendly Consultant at the Oregon Ballet Theatre.
LeeAnn McKenna, Flute
Born and raised in Rhode Island, LeeAnn now resides in Yachats, Oregon where she maintains a private teaching studio, online and in person. She performs regularly, both in Oregon and in New England. Presently, she is a member of the ensemble “Thousand Waves”, an eclectic ensemble consisting of flute, Spanish guitar, Japanese koto, and percussion. She also works with the Newport Symphony (Newport, Oregon) as the Youth Programs Coordinator.
LeeAnn graduated from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and University of Oregon where she received her M-Mus degree in Flute Performance. She has worked with some of the world’s most accomplished flutists including Jean Pierre Rampal. Donald Peck (Chicago Symphony), and Lois Schaefer (Boston Symphony) to name a few. She has performed throughout New England, the West Coast, and parts of Europe on flute and recorder, and was a member of various orchestras on the East and West coasts.
LeeAnn can be found at www.LeeAnnMcKenna.com
Grace Weaver, Voice & Music Theory
Grace Weaver, graduated in 2022 with honors from the University of New Mexico with Master’s Degrees in both Music Theory & Voice. Ms. Weaver is a voice teacher at both Portland State University and Pacific University. She was a semifinalist for the 2024 & 2023 National Student Auditions for the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Ms. Weaver was a District Winner and Regional Competitor in the Metropolitan Opera’s 2024 Laffont Competition. Ms. Weaver has performed several operatic roles including Nancy (Albert Herring), Queen Dido (Dido & Aeneas), and Ruth (The Pirates of Penzance).
For more information see Grace’s website
Marieke Schuurs, Voice & Alexander Technique
Marieke Schuurs is an Alexander Technique teacher who specializes in working with people in the musical and performing arts. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine and is certified as an Alexander Technique teacher with Alexander Technique International. She offers individual lessons, workshops and clinics to improve balance, coordination, movement, breathing and vocal production. She is also a classical and jazz singer, and enjoys performing with an a cappella ensemble.
For more information see Marieke’s website
Dillon Nadler, Guitar
My name is Dillon Nadler, and I’m a musician and educator who has been working out of the Portland Area for the last ten years. I received my Bachelors Degree in Arts and Letters from Portland State University, and I’ve studied with Darrell Grant, Or Bareket, George Colligan, David Friesen, and Alan Jones, amongst many others. I have worked with hundreds of guitar students from all musical backgrounds, age groups and learning styles. My considerable experience has allowed me to create dynamic guitar lessons that help students identify creative goals, target the weakest areas of their musicianship, and develop their natural strengths.
For more information see Dillon’s website
Mitchell Nelson, Trumpet
Mitchell Nelson is an international touring artist living in the Portland area. Since moving to Portland in the Summer of 2023, he has played with Portland Center Stage, Broadway Rose Theater, Bravo! Northwest, and the Light Opera of Portland. In addition, he maintains a healthy studio where he teaches young trumpet players both physical and musical mastery of their instrument. You can also find Mitchell at the Portland Youth Philharmonic helping to prepare the next generation of young people for success through musical excellence.
Mitchell specializes in classical and commercial playing.
For more information, see Mitchell's website.