Portland, Oregon — SE Hawthorne

PLAY
BETTER
MUSIC.

20 years. 100+ students. A Segovia lineage, jazz theory from Ray Brown — now teaching in Portland.

Book a Lesson Meet Kevin
20+
Years Teaching
100+
Students
4
Instruments
All
Skill Levels
What Kevin Teaches

PICK YOUR
INSTRUMENT

🎸

Guitar

Acoustic and electric. From classical fingerpicking to full-throttle shred — Kevin has lived every corner of the guitar world.

Classical Flamenco Blues Rock Metal Reggae Jazz
🥁

Drums

Rooted in rhythm theory from the ground up. Kevin's drumming background informs everything he teaches — precision, feel, and groove.

Rock Jazz Funk All Levels
🎵

Bass

The foundation of every great band. Learn to lock in with the groove, understand harmony, and make the whole room feel it.

Electric Theory Groove Beginner–Adv.
🎵

Ukulele

Accessible and joyful. Perfect entry point for younger students or anyone who wants to play songs fast and have a great time.

Beginner Friendly All Ages Songs
🎛️
Also Available

Recording software instruction — ProTools and Logic Pro basics included for students who want to capture and produce their own music.

About Kevin

A MUSICIAN'S
MUSICIAN

Kevin Cason grew up overseas in the Middle East, where Arabic music left an early mark on his ear. Back in California, he chased rock and metal while teaching himself classical guitar from used books — an unlikely combination that turned out to be the perfect foundation for a lifetime of music.

He studied classical guitar at Cabrillo College and earned a degree from San Francisco State University, working under Manuel Barrueco and Saul Gropeman — both students of the legendary Andrés Segovia. He absorbed jazz theory from bassist Ray Brown and world music from composer Lou Harrison.

He's spent the past 20 years in Portland channeling all of that into lessons — teaching hundreds of students of every age and ability. His belief is simple: everyone has untapped musical talent, and the right teacher finds it.

"At the end of each lesson, I want the student to feel like they got something great out of it — something they can really sink their teeth into."

  • 🎓
    SF State University
    Degree in Classical Guitar. Studied under Manuel Barrueco & Saul Gropeman — direct lineage to Andrés Segovia.
  • 🎷
    Jazz Theory with Ray Brown
    Studied jazz theory and composition with the legendary bassist and collaborator of Oscar Peterson.
  • 🌍
    World Music with Lou Harrison
    Studied world music traditions with the avant-garde American composer and ethnomusicologist.
  • 📍
    20 Years in Portland
    100+ students taught. Based at Avanti Music Studios in Ladd's Addition, SE Hawthorne.
Watch Kevin Play

SEE IT FOR
YOURSELF

Remote Lesson — Classical Guitar

Kevin teaching student Paul over video. Online lessons available — same quality, anywhere.

Group Rehearsal — Kids

New musicians strumming together, locking in the rhythm. Kevin's first focus: feel the beat before anything else.

Drum Lesson — Electronic Kit

Kevin on the kit, breaking down technique. Electronic drums make lessons apartment-friendly too.

Ukulele Duet — Student & Teacher

Playing together, not just being instructed. This is what progress feels like.

Hear Kevin Play

JUDGE FOR
YOURSELF

Classical guitar, flamenco, dub, and improv — 16 recordings spanning the full range of Kevin's playing.

  • Moonlight Sonata
    Beethoven · Op. 27, No. 2
    —:——
  • Maria Luisa Mazurka
    Arcas · Classical Guitar
    —:——
  • Study in A Minor
    Classical Guitar
    —:——
  • Equale No. 1 for 3 Trombones
    Beethoven · arr. for guitar
    —:——
  • Tonos Levantinos (Tarantas)
    Flamenco · Traditional
    —:——
  • Zambra Morra
    Flamenco · Traditional
    —:——
  • SF Dub
    Electric Guitar
    —:——
  • Boulder Creek Dub
    Electric Guitar
    —:——
  • Nort Dub
    Electric Guitar
    —:——
  • Sundown
    Electric Guitar
    —:——
  • Down the Rabbit Hole
    Electric Guitar
    —:——
  • Improv Session 1
    Guitar Improvisation
    —:——
  • Improv Session 2
    Guitar Improvisation
    —:——
  • Arabian Rose
    Improv · World Music
    —:——
  • Viragos
    Original Composition
    —:——
  • Pathway to the Sun
    Original Composition
    —:——
Beethoven · Op. 27, No. 2 Moonlight Sonata
0:00 —:——
Now Playing
Click a track to listen
🔊
Teaching Approach

HOW KEVIN
TEACHES

Every student is different. Kevin's lessons adapt to where you are — whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time at 53 or looking to break through a plateau.

01

Strong Foundation

Rhythm, theory, and reading music. Skills that unlock every style and keep growing with you long after each lesson.

02

Your Music

No one-size-fits-all curriculum. Kevin finds what drives each student and builds lessons around the music they actually want to play.

03

Real Progress

Students leave each session with something tangible — a riff nailed, a concept clicked, a goal set. Momentum matters.

Student Reviews

WHAT STUDENTS
ARE SAYING

"Kevin creates the right mix of rigor and enjoyment. Both my sons developed a real passion and interest in composing their own music — something I never expected."
EB
Emily Bosanquet
Parent of two guitar students
"Kevin's patience is remarkable. He guided me through musical notation, keys, and how to approach more complex pieces in a way that finally made it all click."
MP
Matthias Ploetz
Guitar student
"I'm 53, and I came to Kevin with a scattered mix of skills and bad habits. He assessed all of it, set achievable goals, and kept me encouraged the whole way."
KG
Keith Getchell
Adult guitar student
"Kevin's personalized approach for my 10-year-old drummer has been incredible. He keeps motivation high and builds real confidence through genuine musical accomplishment."
CL
Chris Larson
Parent of drum student, age 10
Location & Scheduling

THE STUDIO

Location Avanti Music Studios
Ladd's Addition, SE Hawthorne
Portland, Oregon
Schedule Monday – Sunday
By appointment
Students All ages & skill levels welcome
Children, teens, adults, seniors
Instruments Guitar · Drums · Bass · Ukulele
Also ProTools & Logic Pro instruction available
Kevin in his home studio

READY TO START?

Whether you've never touched an instrument or you've been playing for years, send Kevin a message and he'll get back to you to set up your first lesson.

Send a Message
Get in Touch

LET'S MAKE
MUSIC

Reach out to ask about availability, pricing, or which instrument is right for you. Kevin responds promptly and welcomes students of all experience levels.

📍
Studio Avanti Music Studios
Ladd's Addition, SE Hawthorne
Portland, OR
✉️
Email kevin@musicwithkevin.com
🕐
Hours Monday – Sunday
By appointment
🎓
All Levels Complete beginners to advanced players.
Ages 6 and up.
Usually responds within 24 hours.