Teaching

There’s more to music than chords and scales, and I want to show it to you.

I teach online and in person in Portland OR, and am always looking to take on new students. If you’re interested in scheduling a lesson on mandolin, guitar, a session of band coaching, or to book me for your camp/workshop, use the contact form below.

Private Lessons

I teach private lessons on mandolin, guitar, and ear training, focused on bluegrass, old time, and traditional music. If you don’t feel like a musician yet, I want to make you feel like one. If you already play, I want to help you go deeper. Depending on the student, a lesson might cover everything from instrumental technique to jam session etiquette, learning by ear to music theory, traditional repertoire to free improvisation. I teach people who’ve played for 10+ years, and people who are just starting out. If you’re music-curious, I’d love to hear from you.

Band Coaching

I work with acoustically-oriented bands that are looking for help playing together. That might mean working on stage presence and communication, making arrangements and playing dynamically, locking in rhythmically or finding harmony parts, but the ultimate goal is the same: I’m interested in helping you sound less like a group of individuals, and more like a band.

Music Camps and Workshops

I teach regularly at music camps and workshops, and co-direct Taborgrass, a Portland OR based bluegrass education workshop series. If you’d like to talk about having me at your event, please reach out!

Testimonials:

“After going through a succession of mandolin teachers, I am very happy to have found Kaden, who is both a great teacher and a great musician. Our work on right hand and left hand technique has me playing on a higher level than when I started taking lessons with him 6 or so months ago.  Kaden is a skilled listener and communicator who has coached me towards reaching my personal goals, and I’m confident that he can do the same for you.”

“I always look forward to my lessons with Kaden. He is a virtuoso on the mandolin and has a thorough knowledge of music and proper technique. In the sessions with him, he focuses on things I am interested in and gives great advice for becoming a better player and performer. He is very upbeat and enthusiastic. The time always seems to fly by too fast!”

“Kaden Hurst approaches teaching with great intelligence, focused attention and enthusiasm.  Whether teaching adults and children individually or in groups, Kaden meets students where they are and inspires them to delve more deeply into their own music practice.”