Testimonials | themusicalmandala

THE MUSICAL MANDALA

BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

Inside Champlin Guitars @ 1121 N State St

"Our ten-year-old son has been taking piano lessons from Paul for almost two years, and our 12-year-old started guitar lessons about a year ago. Paul is an excellent musician, a gifted teacher and coach, and a really nice, fun guy. He is great with kids—his gentle, kind personality, and his smile and goofy sense of humor are infectious. He explains things in a way that is understandable, fun, and motivating. I really feel like he is teaching our sons the language of music and, most of all, to just love playing."

Steve Bryant

Anna Malpica

"Musical instruction, education, and collaboration at its finest! My 13 year old son has been taking ukulele and guitar lessons from Paul for 2 1/2 years. Each lesson brings another week of musical exploration and inspiration back into our home. I have been simply amazed at our son's knowledge of music theory, composition, and speed of skill growth. Paul knows just how to meet a student where they are, and how to gently inspire to the just right next step. As a mentor, he connects with students and families professionally, and with true care."

"Paul has been an amazing piano and music theory instructor for our son as well as an inspirational coach, especially around improvisation and songwriting. Paul recognized and helped develop our son's intuitive understanding of patterns as well as his natural musicality, and he is playing fluently much more quickly than we expected. We couldn't be more pleased."

Jennifer Dixey

Julian Dixey

"Working with Paul for the past nearly two years has been such an amazing experience. Paul is an amazing musician, friend, and a real hoopy frood! His unique teaching style coupled with his willingness to jam and explore new ideas has really helped me grow both as a musician and as a person. Paul also has a very wonderful way of presenting the ideas of harmony and music in these elegant, expanding systems that I am endlessly fascinated by. I am so grateful for these classes I have had with Paul. He will always be in my heart and in my music!"

“I've worked with Paul for a couple years now and have progressed very quickly with his instruction and friendship. I am now pursuing a degree in music and I have to say that if it wasn't for Paul’s ability to help make music one of the most enjoyable things a human can do, I don't think I would have the confidence or vulnerability to even try. If you're looking to combine spiritual growth, therapeutic, and musical experience all into one, Paul's the teacher."

Peter Strasser

Spencer Corbin

"Paul is an excellent teacher and just a great person in general. He helped me immensely not only in achieving greater technical ability in my voice, but also to be more confident with it. Paul is very knowledgeable about music theory and is able to translate concepts across several instruments in a fashion that is very easy to understand. I highly recommend him."

"For over 10 years it has been my dream to be able to sing well enough to perform on stage, but I never felt like I was good enough or that I understood music well enough. All that went out the window when I found Paul in May, 2019. Within 4 months I played my first open mic singing together with a group, and within 6 months I played an open mic singing on my own! For the first time in my whole life, I feel that I have the tools to create music. I couldn't recommend Paul enough!"

Ceylon Keeslar