Alyssa Martini (she/her)

Alyssa was interested in music from a young age. Her first piano lesson at age 10 sparked a unique and passionate interest in music that transformed into a deep appreciation for many more instruments including drums, guitar, sax, bass and harp. Alyssa earned a college music degree and a minor in audio recording from Finger Lakes Community College in upstate NY in 2009. While pursuing her music degree, Alyssa became Certified in Harp Music Therapy from Valley Hospital and the Robert Wood-Johnson University accredited program, Bedside Harp. Alyssa has performed with a number of bands, from 3-piece all-girl rock band ZEN, to Seattle punk band Bad Saint, to playing keyboards for a church rock band and bass for a 90’s rock cover band. She also performs harp at weddings, corporate and private events.

Alyssa has been teaching for over 20 years, from New York to Colorado to right here in Seattle. Her teaching style focuses on the fun and creative aspect of learning, including how to teach yourself so that learning just about anything, anytime, anywhere is possible. Alyssa herself plays best by ear and wants to give her students the opportunity to do the same, so she teaches her students to sing scales in their head so they can not just play music, but improvise and compose. Curriculum-wise, she uses a vast variety from Faber and Faber to Dozen a Day -- which are fun exercises in song form to practice the most popular piano techniques (chords, arpeggios, scales) -- and ranging in style from rock to pop to easy jazz and blues to classical. Funky is always a favorite as well for drummers! She believes in emphasizing fun, creativity, and confidence in her lessons, and is always excited to help a new student fall in love with their instrument!