Classical music school in Hood River
Fermata is a classical-leaning community school in Hood River, Oregon. Five teachers work with each student one to one, from the first bow stroke to a recital piece.
Teachers who perform
Every teacher at Fermata plays in public as well as teaching.
Director and cello
Domenic opened Fermata so that people in the Gorge could study classical music seriously and without hurry. He teaches cello, from a first open string to chamber music, and he directs the school's string ensemble. He has taught for twenty-four years, and he plays in a regional chamber orchestra and in a string quartet. He teaches on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Voice and piano
Sakina teaches art song, choral singing and beginning piano. She has taught for twenty-six years and sings a recital of her own each season. She accompanies the school's recitals, and she plays the piano part of a student's first songs so that they hear the whole piece. She teaches on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Violin and viola
Kevork teaches violin and viola to students from age six and to adults who always wanted to. He has taught for nineteen years and plays second violin in a string quartet that performs around the Gorge. He teaches from the first bow hold, slowly, and he writes out the week's practice for every student. He teaches Monday to Thursday.
Piano and theory
Rukhsar teaches piano to students at every level and leads the school's theory and ear-training class. She has taught for twenty-two years, performs with a piano trio, and plays four-hand pieces with her students at recitals. She teaches on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Flute and clarinet
Giada teaches flute and clarinet to beginners and to students who already play in a school or community group and want help with their parts. She has taught for eleven years and plays in a wind quintet and in a community orchestra. She teaches Tuesday to Friday.
Recitals
Teachers play in the fall and again in the spring. Students play in December and May.
Early September · Lessons resume for returning students; new students start after their placement visit.
Early October · The five teachers play. Students, families and friends are welcome.
Mid-December · Students play one piece each in concert dress.
Late December · Lessons resume in the first week of January.
Mid-March · A program of chamber music, songs and piano duets.
Late May · The year's closing recital, with the string ensemble.
Sample dates.
Lessons
Six courses of study, each with its own teacher, taught in lessons of 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
Technique, scales and a piece you choose to work toward with your teacher. Rukhsar and Sakina teach beginners; Rukhsar teaches the upper levels.
Piano lessons
Kevork teaches from the first bow hold, for children from age six and for adults at any age.
Strings lessons
Domenic teaches cello from a first open string to chamber music, and directs the school's string ensemble.
Cello lessons
Sakina teaches art song and choral singing, with the piano part played for you from the first lesson.
Voice lessons
Giada teaches beginners and players who already have a part to learn in a school or community group.
Winds lessons
A weekly class of up to eight students, led by Rukhsar, for players of any instrument.
About the classYour first visit
A teacher listens to you play or sing, or starts from nothing if you have never played. We talk about what you want to learn, suggest a teacher and a weekly time, and explain how tuition works, in writing, before you register.
4.9
38 reviews
“Our daughter's teacher explains what to practice and why, and we leave every lesson knowing the plan for the week. The recitals are calm and kind.”
“I started the cello as an adult. Domenic never rushes me and never talks down, and the studio feels like a place for serious people.”
“The placement visit was relaxed, and we were matched with a teacher who suits our son. We were told what to expect before we paid for anything.”
Sample reviews.
Most children start between six and ten, and younger children are welcome to a placement visit. Adults of any age are welcome, and a good number of our students began as adults.
Lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes, once a week. Beginners usually start with 30 minutes, and your teacher suggests a length after the placement visit.
For piano you need a piano or a full-size keyboard at home. For strings and winds, ask your teacher before you buy or rent, because size and quality matter. We rent some instruments by the month.
At the placement visit we listen, ask what you want to play, and suggest the teacher whose lessons suit you. If it is not the right fit, tell us and we will find another.
A visit of about half an hour. A teacher listens to you play or sing, or starts from nothing if you have never played, and we agree on a first lesson length and time.
Yes. A parent may sit in on any lesson, and we ask the parents of the youngest students to stay for the first few.
Book a placement visit, and a teacher will listen, answer your questions and suggest a first lesson.