Marie Welch
Seattle Sound Repair owner and technician, Marie Rice, holds her AAS in Instrument Repair Technology from Renton Technical College and is a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT). She also holds a BA in Music from University of Northern Iowa where she studied under Randy Hogancamp and the late Barry Larkin.
While at Renton Technical College, Marie studied woodwind and brass repair under Dan Bainbridge and Daryl Hickman. After graduating from RTC, she moved to Gainesville, Florida to work for Great Southern Music. While there, she enhanced her repair skills with Tom Llinas. However, Marie missed the Pacific Northwest and returned to Seattle. She was quickly hired by Kennelly Keys Music as a repair technician, and within 6 months she was managing the repair shop.
Marie now applies her expertise and experience towards being a small business owner in Seattle. With much support, Seattle Sound Repair is here to serve the music commuity.
Marie strives to continue gaining knowledge for her craft. She enjoys attending repair clinics as well as visiting other shops around the country to enhance her skill set by learning from other technicians. In 2021, Marie completed the Straubinger Pad Certification, an intensive workshop where she was trained to install Straubinger Pads and service flutes with Straubinger Pads installed in them. She is a Certified Straubinger Pad Technician.
Outside of Seattle Sound Repair, Marie can be found performing with the Cascade Symphony Orchestra.
Private Instructors
Evan Smith, saxophone/clarinet
Evan is currently a doctoral candidate in saxophone at the University of Washington. Holding degrees in both music education and woodwind performance, Evan has over a decade of experience teaching woodwinds. In addition to maintaining an active studio of students, he is also a frequent clinician at area schools and universities. With an active performing career in both classical and jazz settings, Evan can provide the experience and individualized instruction to help any student reach their goals. For more information, you can view his personal website, www.evansmithmusic.com.
Neil Welch, saxophone
Neil is a performing artist and educator focusing on jazz, classical and improvised music on the saxophone and clarinet. Whether your student aspires to make an upper level band in grade school, explore creative improvisation, or even work towards college level study, there is a place for you here. Neil welcomes students of all levels in their musical journey, from beginners though professional musicians. He believes strongly in the power of positive mentorship, and works to help students of all ages reveal and cultivate their artistic voice within. Neil has over 15 years of experience as a private teacher, and he is widely regarded for his creativity as a performer and educator. He knows that private lessons provide students an opportunity to grow as artists and as people. Neil has a passion for teaching and community-building, and is dedicated to creating a vibrant, engaging and fun environment for every member of his studio.
Neil is the saxophone faculty instructor at Cornish College of the Arts, the prestigious Lakeside School, and is co-director of the Seattle Saxophone Institute. He is recognized as a leading voice of the Seattle jazz and modern improvisation scene, and has received awards for NW Recording of the Year, Artist of the Year, and "Outside Jazz Group" of the Year by Earshot Jazz Magazine. Early on as a young student himself, Neil was awarded the Outstanding Tenor Sax Soloist at the famed Essentially Elllington competition in New York. As a working musician on the Seattle arts scene, Neil's musical interests span many genres, from jazz to modern classical, electronics through the saxophone, indie rock and other current musical forms. He has released 7 critically acclaimed albums to date, and balances his life as an educator, performer and recording artist. All About Jazz calls his work "stunning and extraordinary” and Downbeat Magazine calls Neil "an impassioned player.”
As a member of Neil's studio, students gain real-world experience working with a passionate educator that takes creative excellence from the bandstand to the classroom. Neil is proud to offer lessons at Seattle Sound Repair. Weekly or bi-weekly lessons are available in person and virtual. Lessons lengths include 30 min, 45 min, or 1 hour sessions. Learn more and get started at neilwelch.com/lessons.