About

Martin Buff is a Seattle-based pianist, composer, teacher and owner of a professional recording studio, The Piano Studio.

He was born in Spokane, Washington, but only spent the first three months of his life there, moving about every two years with his Air Force family to places such as Maine, Puerto Rico, Michigan, Turkey, and Idaho, finally returning to finish High School in Olympia, Washington.

Martin credits his amazing teacher in Boise, Idaho as the highlight of his childhood musical experience - during the formative ages 13-16. Madeleine Forte (then Madeleine Demory-Hsu), whose teachers both in Europe and at Juilliard were all world class, coached Martin into winning the prestigious MTNA young artist awards for State and Northwest Division (Washington/Oregon/Idaho/Alaska) three years in a row, including placing 3rd in Nationals.

After High School, he moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, studying with the world renowned Bela Siki, receiving a bachelor's of music degree in piano performance.

After briefly attending the Master's program in piano performance at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City, Martin decided to secure a trade, and acquired a law degree from the Seattle University School of Law. After spending ten years in the industry, he was able to leave the professional world to return to music. While living in Boston for two years and taking classes at the Berklee College of Music, Martin completed work on his first CD, entitled "My Journey".

Martin then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a year and a half, opening up a recording studio. As of May, 2006, the studio was officially reopened in Seattle (The Piano Studio) with the help of his engineer and talented musician Alex Rose. The studio now has two beautiful pianos in residence, a 9' Concert Grand Steinway Model D and a 7' Studio Grand Baldwin SF-10. For the past four years Martin has been an adjunct member of the music faculty at Holy Names Academy.

He has been composing and recording original music for several years now, and is returning to active performing and teaching.

Teaching

Martin is a classically trained, national MTNA award winning pianist, and have been playing for over 40 years (Bachelors in Music from UW with Bela Siki, Masters level classes at The Manhattan School of Music in NYC, classes at the Berklee College of Music).

Outside of his private teaching studio, Martin is on the music faculty at Holy Names Academy in Seattle.

Lessons are tailored to each student and usually include all the basics of

  • Ear Training
  • Sight Reading
  • Fingering
  • Chord Chart Reading
  • Hand Strengthening Exercises
  • Music Theory
and more.

All Martin's students have the opportunity during lessons to have him professionally record their pieces as a teaching tool. This can help tremendously in developing critical listening skills, giving the student the opportunity to objectively hear what the audience hears. Also, for students who need a demo or audition CD, or just as a gift for friends and family, use of his professional recording studio is offered at your lesson rate, a significant discount from professional clients.

$50

per lesson

$60 per lesson for adults.

Lessons are 45 minutes (longer sessions for advanced students are available).

Samples

Contact

Phone

(206) 851-3456

Email

martin@pianostudioseattle.com

Address

11716 23rd Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98125

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