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"Neil provides the best mix of skills I’ve seen in a music teacher. He brings humor to the lessons but is also seriously passionate about music."

-Kristin S. (parent of a 7th grade student)

LET’S GET STARTED

Neil Welch is a performing artist and educator focusing on jazz, contemporary classical and improvised music on the saxophone. Whether you are a beginning student or a professional musician, there is a place for you here. Neil has over 15 years of experience as a private teacher, including public and private school classroom education, non-profit instruction for Seattle’s leading music education organizations, and college level instruction. He works to help students of all ages reveal and cultivate their artistic voice within. Neil believes strongly in the power of mentorship. He knows that private lessons provide students an opportunity to grow as artists and as people. Neil has a passion for teaching and community-building, and is dedicated to creating a vibrant, engaging environment for every member of his studio.

BACKGROUND

Neil holds a BM in Jazz Studies and Saxophone Performance from the University of Washington. He balances his life as a recording artist, local and national performer, one-on-one private instructor, and in-class community partner in music education. Neil was born in the Seattle area and participated in the Edmonds-Woodway High music program, where he participated in the famed Essentially Ellington contest in NY. From receiving his education in our region to becoming a sought after teacher himself, Neil is deeply involved in the vibrant Seattle arts culture. Neil is the recipient of several Golden Ear Awards for excellence in jazz performance, including NW Artist of the Year and NW Outside Jazz Group. He has released 7 solo records to date, with dozens of recorded collaborative appearances. He performs regularly on horns ranging from soprano to bass saxophone. Read more about Neil’s performance background here.

Neil encounters diverse student populations every day, and has an extensive background in a variety of music education settings. Neil is the saxophone faculty instructor at Cornish College of the Arts, as well as the prestigious Lakeside School. He is the co-director of the Seattle Saxophone Institute, which is the northwest’s leading summer music camp for saxophone study. From 2007-2022, Neil was a faculty instructor for the non-profit Jazz Scholars program, which centers racial and gender equity as core pedagogical values.

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“I highly recommend Neil as a music teacher. We have found him to be very knowledgeable and professional, communicating frequently and clearly with his students and the parents. My son always looks forward to his lesson. Thanks Neil!”
— Jenna A. (parent of a 9th grade student)

WHAT TO EXPECT

All levels of student ability are not only accepted, but welcomed in Neil's studio. Neil works most often with students ranging from 5th-12th grade, and areas of focus can include: jazz, classical saxophone, general band music, modern improvisation and composition, among many other areas. Neil works primarily with students on alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, but also teaches clarinet, soprano, c-melody and bass saxes. Additionally, he works with students on instruments outside of the saxophone family, in areas such as: advanced improvisation, modern sound art, and composition.

Length of Lessons:

Lessons are generally given weekly in 30 minute, 45 minute or 1 hour increments, depending on student needs and schedule availability.

In person lessons provided at the following locations:

Online lesson are provided via Zoom.

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"Neil is a good person, a wonderful teacher and musician and I highly recommend him. He is a patient teacher who uses a variety of teaching techniques to help my rather shy daughter express herself in music."

-Jamie Z., parent of an 8th grade student

ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE

From Neil’s library, members of his studio gain shareable access to:

  • Over 250 hardcopy method books, etudes, transcriptions, performance repertoire, duets and more, covering a variety of musical styles and historic periods.

  • Dozens of print books about jazz saxophone, music history, theory, artist interviews and more.

  • Thousands of pages of shareable PDF materials

  • Over 2500 jazz cds, and 100 vinyl records 

  • Mouthpiece exploration from Neil’s extensive collection

Exploring mouthpieces helps a student learn more about the individual character of sound that can be achieved through working with new equipment.

  • Effects pedals through the saxophone! 

Neil is one of a handful of saxophonists in the NW that uses live loops and electronics in his performance work. Members of Neil’s studio periodically explore using live electronics such as: looping, delay, distortion, reverb, harmonizers during lessons.

Student Achievement

Most members of Neil's studio have have worked with him for years at a time, and in some cases from elementary through the end of high school. Other students enter Neil’s studio as college level or semi-professional musicians in search of a deeper understanding of their own creative capacities. Regardless of a student’s level of ability, Neil brings a high level of professional and artistic experience to all members of his studio team. He values joyful learning as the cornerstone of his life as a teacher, and lessons are tailored towards the ever-evolving needs of each student.

Members of Neil's studio have reached many of their goals as musicians. Many of his younger students are able to make the transition from participating in concert band to an audition only school jazz or wind ensemble—a major life moment for many young musicians. Neil’s students often participate in festivals at the state level, including Honor Band, Solo and Ensemble, All-State and All-Northwest. More advanced students have earned awards at the Monterey Jazz Festival (CA), Heritage Music Festival (New Orleans), the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival (Idaho) and the famed Essentially Ellington Competition (New York). Once out of high school, many students have gone on to study music at colleges such as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, Berklee College of Music, Penn State, and more.

BECOME AN HONORED member of NEIL WELCH'S PRIVATE STUDIO 

Fill out the form below to contact Neil for information about rates and availability!

Curious what a lesson with neil looks like?

Try a free video tutorial to take your first lesson from home, or click on one of the free PDF’s below! Each exercise is designed to strengthen the developing saxophonist’s ability in a variety of foundational areas. Exercises include daily warm-ups, overtones, long tones, easy jazz articulations, improvisational frameworks, mouthpiece buzzing and more.

Easy Tutorial Videos

Four Week Jam Pack for Early Jazz Saxophone | 4 Lesson tutorials

For the free PDF that accompanies this video, click your saxophone voice below:

Alto/Bari | Tenor

Jazz Variations with “When the Saints Go Marching In” | Lesson Tutorial

For the free PDF that accompanies this video, click your saxophone voice below:
Alto/Bari | Tenor

Intermediate Tutorial Videos

Flexibility Exercises for Saxophone | Lesson Tutorial

For the PDF that accompanies this video, click here for all saxophone voices:
Flexibility Exercises

Foundational Overtones for Saxophone | Lesson Tutorial

For the PDF that accompanies this video, click here for all saxophone voices: Foundational Overtones for Saxophone

Saxophone Mouthpiece buzzing | lesson tutorial

For the PDF that accompanies this video, click here for all saxophone voices: Voicing the Saxophone Mouthpiece

Advanced Tutorial Videos

Multiphonic Tutorial: John Coltrane Harmonique

For a PDF that demonstrates the use of multiphonics and a solo transcription of John Coltrane’s masterpiece Harmonique, click the link of your choice:

Tenor Melody and Solo | Saxophone Multiphonic Fingerings Only

For additional PDF’s to play this song with a full group, or for your own individual study, click below:

Full Score Piano Only Bass Only

Quarter-Tone Chromatic Scale for any saxophone: Tutorial

For a free PDF fingering chart that accompanies this video, click HERE.

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