Stephanie Douglass

Originally from a tiny town in the Sierra Foothills in Northern California, I started taking piano lessons at the age of 9. Through the school band I picked up the clarinet and bass clarinet, and in high school my curiosity got the best of my and I learned how to play my grandpa’s cornet using a fingering chart printed from the Internet. Somewhere in there I stole and learned some chords on my sister’s baritone ukulele.

I studied music education and music performance (clarinet) at Humboldt State University, where I also got my California Teaching Credential in 2011. I taught in Humboldt County until an opportunity brought me to Santa Barbara County in 2013, where I’ve lived and taught in public schools ever since.

As well as teaching music at the elementary level, I perform professionally on the trumpet in my area in various capacities and styles, from pop and jazz to classical. I arrange music for and play as a core member of Brass Mash, the premiere horn band on the Central Coast. I also maintain a music education YouTube channel that has accumulated over 45,000 subscribers.

I've taught elementary band and choir, junior high band and choir, general classroom music, adult ukulele classes, bucket drumming, keyboard.

One on one, I prefer a whole person approach to teaching. I care about students feeling safe enough to take risks and explore their whole-hearted musician selves. This is a journey that I'm always working through as well. I hope to give students the tools to observe themselves in their own playing and provide next steps and ideas to consider. I care about presenting music making as being approachable and joyful.

If you have concerns or want to ensure that we would be a good match, please schedule a free 15-minute trial lesson with me! We can discuss your goals in detail and make a plan for your potential growth.

Reviews from Group Classes⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beginning Ukulele for Adults
K-ren on April 19, 2022

Very good! I enjoyed insight as a beginner with zero music theory knowledge. I hope to learn more next session.

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Beginning Ukulele for Adults
Verified Student on April 20, 2022

Excellent.