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Our mission: to enrich our community with music-making opportunities.

Our Teachers & Staff

Jan Jaffe (JA-fee), Director

Sara Bachman-Rhodes, Administrative Assistant

Sara Bachman-Rhodes, Administrative Assistant

Jan Jaffe strumming a guitar outside with a preschooler on ukulele.

Piano, guitar, ukulele, preschool music, voice & choir, songwriting, adult learners. Jan is a singer/songwriter & has a Master of Music in Music Education. She's been teaching in various capacities since 2003 & opened MME downtown in 2021. Jan can get you started & 

connected to the musical world.

Sara Bachman-Rhodes, Administrative Assistant

Sara Bachman-Rhodes, Administrative Assistant

Sara Bachman-Rhodes, Administrative Assistant

Sara comes to MME with plenty of teaching & business expertise in the arts. She has lived in Ellensburg for 20 years & has been teaching dance classes for even longer, most recently with her own business called Happy 2 Move. 

Working with us since 2023. 

Sara warmly welcomes your family.

Bonnie Joy Stoutamyer

Sara Bachman-Rhodes, Administrative Assistant

Bonnie Joy Stoutamyer

Bonnie Joy Stoutamyer in her music studio.

Voice & piano. Bonnie has a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from West Virginia U, plenty of experience teaching & performing - especially in opera & musical theater.

Teaching with us since 2022. Bonnie Joy can take your performance to the next level with confidence.

Nick Colletto

Bronson Moreno

Bonnie Joy Stoutamyer

Nick Colletto smiling at a grand piano.

Piano, jazz piano, trombone & euphonium, composition. Nick has a Bachelor of Music in Composition from CWU & is an active performer, accompanist, & composer/arranger. 

Teaching with us since 2021.

Nick's playful style makes learning fun.

Micah Heflen

Bronson Moreno

Bronson Moreno

Micah Heflen on guitar, singing.

Int/adv electric & acoustic guitar, bass, drum set, modern piano, & songwriting. "Micah J" performs extensively solo & with his band Dynamite Supreme, featuring his shredding guitar solos & refined vocals on cover & original songs of every style.

Teaching with us since 2021.

Micah teaches all levels with patience.

Bronson Moreno

Bronson Moreno

Bronson Moreno

Bronson Moreno smiling with his trumpet.

Electric & acoustic guitar, ukulele, trumpet, & preschool music. Bronson is a Music Education student at CWU, playing guitar in jazz ensembles as well as singing lead with his eclectic band called the Ranch Dawgs. 

Teaching with us since 2021.

Bronson has tips & tricks for every level.

David Ballard

Jacob Batchelder

Jacob Batchelder

Piano & organ. David is a music education student at CWU & has several years' experience as a teacher. In addition to performing & teaching music to people from all walks of life, he enjoys philosophy & dance. Teaching with us since 2022.

David's quick thinking makes it exciting to learn.

Jacob Batchelder

Jacob Batchelder

Jacob Batchelder

Guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, & brass. Jacob is a music school graduate with a wide range of experience & skills, from jazz ensembles & symphonies to rock bands & bass solos.

Teaching with us since 2022. Jacob gently guides his students to grow in every lesson.

Leora Allen

Jacob Batchelder

Leora Allen

Piano, voice, & Kids Choir. Leora is an experienced performer & a go-to accompanist (including for the Valley Voices Community Choir since 2022). She is finishing up piano performance & choral music education degrees at CWU. 

Teaching with us since 2023.

Leora's good humor puts her students at ease.

Tom Penoyar

Tom Penoyar

Leora Allen

*Currently on break. Inquire via email: info@ellensburgmusic.com.*

Banjo (5-string, bluegrass & beginner clawhammer). When he's not playing his favorite old-timey instrument in a bluegrass jam or with his band, the Chukar Pluckers, "Dr. Penoyar" is working as a surgeon at the local hospital. 

Teaching with us since 2022.

Tom coaches teens & adults with enthusiasm.

Tom Penoyar

 Our commitment to families... 

All of our teachers undergo complete background, reference checks, & child abuse prevention protocols for your peace of mind.

Good Stuff, Accolades, & Reviews

Bronson & Jan leading the Strum-Along

Student Reviews

Promotor of the Arts Award, 2021

Promotor of the Arts Award, 2021

Email from Piper, Spring 2022: "Hi Jan, I need to tell you that we have loved the preschool music class! We drive from Easton and at first I was skeptical about making the long drive, but seeing my son loving it so much, makes it MORE than worth it. You and Mr. Bronson have radiant, positive energy that’s contagious... I’ve done a lot of 

Email from Piper, Spring 2022: "Hi Jan, I need to tell you that we have loved the preschool music class! We drive from Easton and at first I was skeptical about making the long drive, but seeing my son loving it so much, makes it MORE than worth it. You and Mr. Bronson have radiant, positive energy that’s contagious... I’ve done a lot of classes with my older son over the years in various places. You all are the best!"


"Music lessons are my son's favorite day of the week!" - Stacey, 2021-2022


"I am most proud of playing the piano. It's so fun!!!" - Eryn, 5 year old student, 2021-2022

Promotor of the Arts Award, 2021

Promotor of the Arts Award, 2021

Promotor of the Arts Award, 2021

The Ellensburg Downtown Association recognized Make Music Ellensburg with an award for Promotor of the Arts in our opening year of 2021.

Here's an article in the Daily Record about the annual awards event.

Enterprise Challenge Winner 2022

Promotor of the Arts Award, 2021

Enterprise Challenge Winner 2022

Director Jan won third place in the Enterprise Challenge 2022, a business competition for all Kittitas County & Yakima County new businesses. The three-month long process included three elimination rounds, dozens of judges, & plenty of excellent advice, networking, & press for long-term sustainability.

Ellensburg Arts Commission

Arts Commissions

The Daily Record News

Enterprise Challenge Winner 2022

The Ellensburg Arts Commission awarded Make Music Ellensburg grants in 2019, 2020, 2021, & 2022 for our community programs including the Ellensburg Strum-Along & the Community Virtual Choir Project.


Teacher Jan Jaffe was also honored to be asked by ArtsWA (the Washington State Arts Commission) to be a grants panelist in 2020.

Jan Jaffe in the newspaper

The Daily Record News

The Daily Record News

The Daily Record News

Teacher Jan Jaffe has been featured in the Daily Record News many times - including a large feature here on Oct 1, 2020: "Jan Jaffe brings out the best with her music," & a Strum-Along feature in the Kittitas Valley Living February 2020 magazine.


Jan also was a finalist in the Best of Kittitas County 2020 musician category.

Collaborative handshakes

Collaborations

The Daily Record News

The Daily Record News

Make Music Ellensburg is enthusiastic about partnering with people, organizations, & businesses that share our values, such as the nonprofits Gallery One, Valley Musical Theatre, & Ellensburg Community Radio, Central Washington University's campus life programming, the Ellensburg Downtown Association, Mark Holloway at D&M Coffee, Ellensbu

Make Music Ellensburg is enthusiastic about partnering with people, organizations, & businesses that share our values, such as the nonprofits Gallery One, Valley Musical Theatre, & Ellensburg Community Radio, Central Washington University's campus life programming, the Ellensburg Downtown Association, Mark Holloway at D&M Coffee, Ellensburg Parks & Rec, Garey Williams at Drumset Mastery, Josh Humphrey at JBH Guitars, Lee Bates at the Valley Voices, Carol Cox & the open mic team at Old Skool's, & so many more. Thank you.

Make Music Ellensburg

Jan Jaffe, Director & Teacher

Jan Jaffe, Director & Teacher

Jan Jaffe, Director & Teacher

"Miss Jan" is an experienced, certificated teacher and performing singer-songwriter living in Ellensburg, Washington. She has a Master of Music Education from Central Washington University with experience teaching private lessons, K-12 music classes, community ensembles, summer camps, and a variety of musical workshops.

Jan is especially p

"Miss Jan" is an experienced, certificated teacher and performing singer-songwriter living in Ellensburg, Washington. She has a Master of Music Education from Central Washington University with experience teaching private lessons, K-12 music classes, community ensembles, summer camps, and a variety of musical workshops.

Jan is especially passionate about sharing music with people who "always wanted to learn" or "never thought it was possible."

Philosophy

Jan Jaffe, Director & Teacher

Jan Jaffe, Director & Teacher

Music is for everyone. 

Music participation should be available to all people regardless of age, skill, or circumstance.


Enjoying, creating, & sharing music produces healthier, happier people. Our hearts & minds are opened, bodies are challenged & strengthened, & spirits find new ways to connect. Music also has a subtle way of encouraging p

Music is for everyone. 

Music participation should be available to all people regardless of age, skill, or circumstance.


Enjoying, creating, & sharing music produces healthier, happier people. Our hearts & minds are opened, bodies are challenged & strengthened, & spirits find new ways to connect. Music also has a subtle way of encouraging problem-solving, self-esteem, self-discipline & responsibility. In short, music is important!

Classes & Lessons

Jan Jaffe, Director & Teacher

Classes & Lessons

We offer a range of lessons, classes, workshops, ensembles, & relaxed gatherings - as well as referrals to other local resources.


Ongoing events: private lessons & recitals for all ages (guitar, piano, voice, ukulele).


Also: guitar classes, songwriting workshops, preschool music classes, drum set workshops, sing- & play-alongs, student appreciation events, & more!

Social

Professional Partnerships

 Local & Virtual Music Teachers, Performers, Events Coordinators -- Let's collaborate.

We are happy to refer to other community teachers and resources when we cannot fill a need. 

Does our philosophy inspire you to work with us?

Please get in touch!

Contact us

Work With Us

Enthusiastic Teachers Only

Want to mentor & inspire in a community school?

We can do more together.
We may be hiring. Get in touch.

MAKE MUSIC ELLENSBURG


                       Copyright © 2018 Make Music Ellensburg - All Rights Reserved.


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