elaine Soldo

Elaine Soldo’s love of music and dedication for teaching is well known in the Portland area where she has taught piano full time in her studio for more than 30 years. Additionally, she has been involved in the local music community and was a choir member with Cantores In Ecclesia, an accompanist on piano and organ, and a collaborator and arranger with popular music styles.  She is a member of the Oregon Music Teachers Association (OMTA), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Western Early Keyboard Association (WEKA) and Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ) and is an avid concertgoer.

Elaine earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music from Youngstown State University in northeast Ohio where she was awarded a teaching assistantship. She subsequently taught Suzuki Piano Classes and accompanied Suzuki Violin students, and served as organist for several churches in Ohio and western Pennsylvania before relocating to Portland in 1986.

Teaching Philosophy: 

Elaine enjoys working with students of all ages according to the student’s individual needs. Her approach includes viewing music with an historic perspective, consulting primary sources, and teaching the basics of harmony and technique. She helps students discover their love for music by developing skills after identifying and breaking down each challenge to its specific difficulty.

A primary goal in learning to play the piano is to achieve musical phrasing, refined tone, and enjoyment in playing. Creating a healthy teacher-pupil relationship, we work together to make music beautiful with reliable results, and we achieve this by working at becoming proficient.

“My passion is for listening, keeping an open mind, encouraging others, collaborating, and being part of the wonderful and enchanting world of music. To quote the great teacher, Theodore Leschetizky: ‘No art without life; no life without art.’  — Elaine Soldo