Instructors
Benjamin Garrett - Level 3-4 Coach
Benjamin Garrett - Level 3-4 Coach
Born in Lubbock, Texas into a musical family, Benjamin Garrett found his calling on the French horn in 7th grade when his Father suggested he switch from playing the trumpet to horn. Since that time, a passion for the horn has been at the forefront of his life. Along the way he has also developed a deep passion for teaching.
Benjamin holds a Bachelors degree in Music Performance from the University of Oregon and Masters in Music Education from Portland State University. His primary teachers have been Anthony Britten (TX), Ellen Campbell (UofO), and Larry Johnson (PSU). From 2009-2014 Benjamin was the band director at McKay High School in the Salem-Keizer School District. In 2014 a change was needed to find a better work/family balance, and he is now the music teacher at Dayton Junior/Senior High School.
Benjamin's horn experience is vast. As a teacher, he has had a studio in the Salem-Keizer area for the past 15 years. Many of his students have gone on to place in the Oregon State Solo competitions, as well as attend top notch music schools. He has given master classes and served as a sectional coach in many different venues. He has also been the adjunct horn instructor at Western Oregon University, and is currently the Horn Instructor at Corban University and George Fox University. As a performer, he has played in many of the professional ensembles in the Salem/Portland area. These include the Eugene Symphony, Newport Symphony, Columbia Symphony, and Vancouver (WA) symphony to name a few. As a soloist, he has been featured with many ensembles including the Salem Concert band, where he presented the American Premiere of Ferrer Ferran's Gjahllarhorn, a concerto for horn and concert band. He served as the principle horn for the short lived Salem Symphony, which was formed in 2016, and is also principle horn of the newly formed Salem Orchestra (2019)
When he is not teaching or practicing, Benjamin enjoys spending time with his two kids, working on personal growth, dabbling in music composition, and ballroom dancing.
Benjamin holds a Bachelors degree in Music Performance from the University of Oregon and Masters in Music Education from Portland State University. His primary teachers have been Anthony Britten (TX), Ellen Campbell (UofO), and Larry Johnson (PSU). From 2009-2014 Benjamin was the band director at McKay High School in the Salem-Keizer School District. In 2014 a change was needed to find a better work/family balance, and he is now the music teacher at Dayton Junior/Senior High School.
Benjamin's horn experience is vast. As a teacher, he has had a studio in the Salem-Keizer area for the past 15 years. Many of his students have gone on to place in the Oregon State Solo competitions, as well as attend top notch music schools. He has given master classes and served as a sectional coach in many different venues. He has also been the adjunct horn instructor at Western Oregon University, and is currently the Horn Instructor at Corban University and George Fox University. As a performer, he has played in many of the professional ensembles in the Salem/Portland area. These include the Eugene Symphony, Newport Symphony, Columbia Symphony, and Vancouver (WA) symphony to name a few. As a soloist, he has been featured with many ensembles including the Salem Concert band, where he presented the American Premiere of Ferrer Ferran's Gjahllarhorn, a concerto for horn and concert band. He served as the principle horn for the short lived Salem Symphony, which was formed in 2016, and is also principle horn of the newly formed Salem Orchestra (2019)
When he is not teaching or practicing, Benjamin enjoys spending time with his two kids, working on personal growth, dabbling in music composition, and ballroom dancing.
Peter Rundquist - Level 2 Coach
Peter Rundquist - Level 2 Coach
My name is Peter Rundquist. I’ve been a French horn player since I was in 6th grade. I originally started on the trumpet (hey, nobody’s perfect) and then transitioned over to the best instrument in the world. I was lucky enough to study horn with Mr. Garrett Sr. (Larry Garrett) and Mr. Garrett Jr. (Ben Garrett). Both of them helped shape me to be the horn player I am today.
I grew up in the Salem-Keizer school district. During my time as a student, I got to take part in great music events like All-City Honor Band, All-State Honor Band, and All-Northwest Honor Orchestra with my good friend Rosie (that’s the name of my French horn).
I attended Boise State University (Go Broncos!) to pursue a degree in Music Education. Since graduating, I have been primarily teaching elementary general music in the Salem-Keizer school district, but I have also got to help teach 5th grade beginning band and help out with the band program at McNary High School.
I have played my horn with local groups such as the Salem Symphonic Winds, the Salem Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Willamette Valley Master Chorus. There’s nothing quite like making music with others!
I am very excited to be working with the Willamette Valley Horn Academy. I am excited for young horn players to play their instruments and expand their musical skills together. I am looking forward to meeting many new horn players and making music with the best instrument in the world: the horn!
I grew up in the Salem-Keizer school district. During my time as a student, I got to take part in great music events like All-City Honor Band, All-State Honor Band, and All-Northwest Honor Orchestra with my good friend Rosie (that’s the name of my French horn).
I attended Boise State University (Go Broncos!) to pursue a degree in Music Education. Since graduating, I have been primarily teaching elementary general music in the Salem-Keizer school district, but I have also got to help teach 5th grade beginning band and help out with the band program at McNary High School.
I have played my horn with local groups such as the Salem Symphonic Winds, the Salem Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Willamette Valley Master Chorus. There’s nothing quite like making music with others!
I am very excited to be working with the Willamette Valley Horn Academy. I am excited for young horn players to play their instruments and expand their musical skills together. I am looking forward to meeting many new horn players and making music with the best instrument in the world: the horn!
Rebecca Griffiths - Level 1 Coach
Rebecca Griffiths - Level 1 Coach
Becky Griffiths grew up in Eugene, OR playing in a homeschool high school band. She started the French horn at the end of 9th grade, was moved to the top band, and quickly fell in love with the rich tone of the horn and challenging music. Becky enjoyed taking private lessons, and performed at the State Solo Contest her junior and senior years. After spending her first two years at Lane Community College studying music, she moved to the UO and majored in Music Education with an emphasis on Elementary Music Education. While at the UO, Becky was a voice student of Milagro Vargas’ and horn student of Ellen Campbell. Becky has taught elementary music and choir for a total of almost 9 years in Salem-Keizer and has taught private horn lessons 20 years. She has been an active member of her church’s worship team from 2001-2015. When she is not teaching, Becky enjoys being with her husband and two sons, hiking, canoeing, camping, cooking, gardening, caring for chickens, and backpacking.