Meet our Instructors...

James Durkee

Guitar

James Durkee- ( affectionately known as Jim) Teaches all styles of Guitar at Taylor Music. Mr. Durkee has been a private guitar instructor for 30 years. He is also on the Music Staff teaching guitar at YVCC and Headed the Classical and Jazz Guitar Programs at Central Washington University for 21 years and the Guitar Program at Walla Walla University for 14 years. Along with his renown instrumental teaching skills, James also specializes in Music Theory and the History of Music and it's Traditions.

His students have won and have participated in numerous competitions at the Regional, State and National levels. Many of his former students now have professional careers in Music.

Jim has toured the the USA and Japan extensively as a Solo Artist. Mr. Durkee is also in demand as a Judge and has adjudicated at the National level as well as many various State and Local Competitions, MTNA, Washington State Solo and Ensemble Guitar Competitions and Portland State Guitar Competitions to name but a few.

James Durkee has released 4 celebrated CD's, which are available on iTunes and Rhapsody, and he is an active performer. Jim holds a BM in Classical Guitar Performance (Cum Laude) and a Graduate Certificate in Jazz Guitar Performance. James Durkee resides in Yakima, Washington.

For more information please visit: www.jamesdurkee.com

Carol Mourey

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet,  Trombone, Guitar, and Electric Bass

Carol has a BA in Music education from Central Washington University with many graduate classes. She continues to attend music workshops to keep current with new teaching techniques and materials. Carol teaches various styles of music and enjoys playing alto saxophone with the Yakima Valley Community Band.

Carol has thirty years teaching experience including sixteen years of teaching band for the East Valley School District.  She has been teaching band for fourteen years in private schools.  Besides teaching private lessons at Taylor Music,  she is currently teaching band at Riverside Christian School. Carol has been teaching private lessons continually since 1982 and has had many students with superior ratings at Solo and Ensemble contests, including students that have placed at the state level contests.

Carol has recieved referrals for new students from several band teachers in the area, and enjoys teaching students of all ages.

Ben Taylor

Drums and percussion

Ben has been playing, performing, and instructing drums and percussion for decades and specializes in many different genres. He is now accepting new students from beginning to advanced levels and deals with many forms of drums and percussion. Whether you are looking for classical training or looking to take your drumset chops to the next level, Ben can get you the results you are looking for.

Barbara Skipworth

Piano – Voice

Barbara Skipworth has been teaching for the last 20 years. Her focus is on classical music (art song and opera), but enjoys medieval through modern styles, especially the American standards and musical theater. Barbara has taught voice and opera history at the Umbra Institute in Italy, performed as a soloist for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and sang at the Carnegie Recital Hall in New York. she is now accepting new students for voice as well as piano.

Bob Waldbauer,

Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Guitar

Bob is known throughout the northwest as one of the premier bassists and maintains a very busy schedule of performances with several bands covering numerous genres, but excelling in jazz, blues, rock, and country. Bob has been teaching bass and guitar for many years in the valley and is loved by his students. many of Bob's students have had successful music careers.

Bob Decio

Accordion