Seattle Saxophone, Flute and Clarinet lessons

at Seattle Jazz Academy

Looking for saxophone, clarinet or flute lessons in Seattle? Seattle Jazz Academy offers a unique and enriching experience for individuals looking to explore the world of music through woodwind instruments. Our expert instructors bring a wealth of experience and passion for jazz music, and they are dedicated to nurturing the talents of our students, you will not only develop a strong foundation in music theory and technique, but also become part of a vibrant and supportive musical community.

Jazz is all about improvisation and self-expression, our academy encourages students to explore their creativity while honing their skills. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician looking to expand your horizons, our diverse opportunities for woodwind and brass players will help you grow as a musician. Join Seattle Jazz Academy, and let the magic of jazz music come alive!

Hans Teuber

Saxophone Flute and Clarinet Instruction

Hans Teuber has been a top-call saxophonist and woodwind doubler, composer, arranger, and keyboardist in the Pacific Northwest for over thirty years, with extensive experience recording and touring alongside many influential artists. He has traveled North America, Europe, Japan, and Brazil, performing with jazz luminaries such as George Cables, Julient Priester, Bill Frisell, Chano Domingues, Michael White, and Wayne Horvitz. Hans also toured and performed with folk singer Ani DiFranco and recorded with notable Seattle rock bands Brad and Mudhoney.

For almost ten years Hans instructed and accompanied at Cornish College of the Arts, and he has released four albums as a band leader under Jackson Street and Origin Records. Hans has been actively involved in the cirque world having spent eighteen years with Seattle’s Teatro Zinzanni and is currently working with Montreal’s comedy duo “Monseigneures Tim et Joe.”

As an instructor, Hans’ hope first and foremost is to convey his practical experience in a cultural context as applied to musical problems and exercises. His approach to teaching includes an emphasis on the value of music in all areas of the human experience, keeping in mind how history and our current local communities may inform and relate to our musical interests and skills. Hans instructs and collaborates with his students in developing a strong proficiency in music, whether focusing on the mastery of an instrument, composition, and/or songwriting.

Kate Olson

Woodwind instructor

Kate Olson is an improvising saxophonist and music educator based in Seattle, WA. Since moving to Seattle in 2010, she has done her best to infiltrate the local, regional and international improvised music scenes. She can be heard performing with her own projects KO SOLO and KO QUARTET, and as a collaborator with the Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble, Wayne Horvitz Ensemble and Electric Circus (led by Wayne Horvitz), Birch Pereira and the Gin Joints, Battlestar Kalakala (formerly West Seattle Soul/the Pulsations), and with such Seattle staples as cabaret producers Can Can Presents and Verlaine & McCann.

Kate has a BA in Music (Jazz Emphasis) from the University of Wyoming and an MM in Improvisation from the University of Michigan, and is currently on the jazz faculty at Pacific Lutheran University and University of Puget Sound.

Kate’s international resume continues to grow, including performances in Russia, Latvia, Turkey, Switzerland, South Korea, Cuba, and Slovakia. She has appeared on stage with Terry Riley, Pauline Oliveros, Bobby Previte, Skerik, Patricia Barber, Elvis Costello, Brandi Carlile, Sir Mix-a-lot, Seattle Repertory Theater, Cafe Nordo, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and Seattle Symphony Pops, among others.

Kate has been nominated for many Earshot Golden Ear Awards, including Emerging Artist and Best NW Instrumentalist Categories. In 2016 her band KO Ensemble was also nominated as best NW Alternative Group. In 2020 the KO Ensemble won the Golden Ear Award for best NW Instrumental Group and in 2022, KO Electric was nominated for Best Alternative Group. In 2025, Kate won the Best NW Instrumentalist category. She is also the recipient of a 4Culture Projects Grant and an SPL Writer’s Room Residency.

Adam Chmaj

Woodwind Instructor

Primarily self-taught saxophonist performer and teacher Adam Chmaj has been working in music since he was a young teen, Studying major influences such as Dexter Gordon, Pete Christlieb, and John Coltrane, he was greatly influenced by their tenacity of sound.

Coming out of high school, Adam went to pursue his degree in Music Performance at Central Washington University. With honing his skills in everything music-related, he had the opportunity to study with saxophone masters such as Grace Kelly, Dr. Adam Pelandini and Bruce Diehl.

Applying his years as both a performer and educator, Adam is continuing to develop his sound and approach to music with his own quartet, headlining Boxley's Jazz Club in North Bend and Seattle Jazz Fellowship in Seattle. He has performed in multiple genres around the greater Seattle area with a variety of ensembles, such as the Critical Mass Big Band and the well-known pop singer Zan Fiskum.

Adam believes that learning the saxophone should be fun, easy and tension free. He believes that learning the saxophone shouldn’t be separated into learning one genre or the other, but rather be seen as an extension of your voice.

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