The first thing you notice when walking into the Cascade School of Music at the corner of NE Third Street and Franklin Avenue in Bend is a symphony of sounds you don’t usually hear at once. Strings, piano, vocals and a hint of drums float overhead in an odd swirl of music as dozens of students in private rooms take lessons. One wall in the lobby is covered with student achievement awards, while another displays plaques from the Source and Bend Nest “Best of Central Oregon” contests dating back to 2018.
The nonprofit began offering music classes in the summer of 2002. Today, there are 25 teachers instructing 497 students in private lessons and classes. The youngest is age one. The oldest is 81. The school offers lessons in piano, voice, flute, acoustic and electric guitar, drums, violin, fiddle, viola, cello, upright bass, electric bass, ukulele, tin whistle, mandolin, harp, Irish fiddle and folk singing.
Zola St. Germain, a 17-year-old Caldera High School student, is taking weekly half-hour violin lessons from Sharon Schwatka. Germain began playing at age six. Like many students, music is a big part of her life. “I’m in orchestra at school and I’m in COYO (Central Oregon Youth Orchestra) and I have my own solo pieces. I just finished honors orchestra.” She wants to attend a college with a strong music program. “Right now, I’m in AP music theory at my school. So, I really want to see if I could focus on music as at least a minor.”
As dedicated as Germain is, Schwatka wants her to continue exploring music. “I’m just trying to get her exposed to anything from Irish fiddle to American blues. I really feel like the students need to see it all and not make a decision on anything until you’ve seen it all.”
The Cascade School of Music is an independent, nonprofit, year-round school with administrators and teachers who believe human potential and connection are more fully realized through a lifelong engagement with music that can begin with toddlers. The school has a Kindermusik program for tots ages one to five. It’s designed to improve coordination, brain and language development, and build confidence and social skills.
The school also offers weekly private lessons from 30 to 60 minutes starting at $194. About 20% of the students receive scholarships that are funded by donations and through fundraisers. In addition to individual lessons, The Cascade School of Music also offers ensemble and band classes.
Eleven-year-old Bodhi Jaber has a passion for drums. During a recent lesson, he was practicing a Guns N’ Roses song. Teacher Meshem Jackson says, “Taking music is something that really activates the entire brain in so many ways. It teaches problem solving, teaches creativity and it’s a different language you’re learning, and it’s a universal language.”
The Cascade School of Music also has community outreach programs where students perform at public venues such as retirement homes, Silver Moon Brewing, Father Luke’s Room at McMenamin’s and Summer Fest in downtown Bend. The student showcase is April 26 at the Tower Theatre.
“We have four or five performance opportunities for our band programs and for all of the students in the school that do private lessons. They have an opportunity through recitals,” explains Jackson. “In the percussion department, we have what’s called drum days, where it’s just nothing but drummers and percussionists.” The next band and drum day is at McMenamin’s on Sunday, March 8.
Getting into a band class can be competitive. “There’s an audition process because we believe that’s a good thing to learn to do,” says the school’s Executive Director, Robert Lambeth. “It’s a very supportive environment.” He says learning how to prepare for an audition will benefit students trying to get into college programs. Each term, the style of band music is tailored to the students’ interests and skills.
Cillian Malone, 14, wants to be a rock star. He plays bass guitar and started his own band with two friends. His dream is to tour professionally one day. During his weekly lesson at Cascade School of Music, he’s working to fulfill a deal he made with his dad. “I’ve been interested in the five-string bass recently and my dad’s like, ‘I’m not just gonna buy you one.’ So, he said I have to earn it. I have to write a five-part symphony with a bunch of different components, and I have to write it on sheet music.”
Malone’s teacher, Seth Burrows, says, “I think music is the anti-screen. I feel like it teaches them all kinds of life skills that they might not ordinarily learn but teach you how to deal with frustration. It teaches you how to break huge problems down into little pieces and work on that thing and then gradually increase your capacity to do the whole thing.”
Burrows adds, “I just try to instill a love of music for all the kids that come in here and hopefully my excitement will rub off on them.”
In a video on the school’s website, Board President Judy Heck says that research shows children who have music education are more successful adults in general and stronger in academics in areas of science, math and literacy, communication skills, self-awarenesses, problem solving and teamwork.
Sixteen-year-old Quinn LeGrand is training in vocals. “I’ve been doing music for most of my life and so it’s been a major part of who I am as a person.”
Her instructor, Seren Slade, tailors vocal lessons to the student. “That’s the one thing about voices. I can’t really have a set syllabus. I can’t have the Suzuki technique for all the students, which like the string programs and piano programs, you can kind of do that. Everyone develops so differently.” With LeGrand, they’re working on a classical Spanish piece for a solo and ensemble festival for high school students.
Slade lets new students pick the music genre to start. “Once they are a little bit more relaxed, I introduce other stuff and challenge them a little bit more.”
LeGrand has big ambitions for college. “I hope that I can get at least a minor in some sort of musical performance, whether I’m playing piano, singing, playing bass clarinet. If I’m doing something musical, I think that it’ll be a good minor, if not a major. I have not decided yet.”
The teachers, 80% of which have been with the school for six years or more, are as impressive as the students. Schwatka, who’s been a professional musician since the age of 14, has traveled across the nation, entertaining active duty military and recruits. Jackson, who began on drums at the age of 10, also performs with local theater groups. Burrows, who started playing guitar 30 years ago, plays for local musical theater productions. Slade, who has been in more than 20 bands, is currently rehearsing for “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” at The Greenhouse Cabaret.
Cascade School of Music just unveiled a new logo, but the goal remains the same. As Lambeth explains, “Our mission is to make music education accessible and encourage a lifelong engagement with music.”
Cascade School of Music Bands & Drum Concert
Sun, March 8 2-4pm
McMenamins
700 NW Bond St., Bend
FreeCascade School of Music Drum Day Recital
Sun, May 17 2-4pm
Silver Moon Brewing
24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend
Free
This article appears in the Source March 5, 2026.
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