Cort Armstrong

Cort Armstrong’s long musical path has always led towards the heart of traditional American music. Drawn to the music of the American South, Cort Armstrong derives his signature guitar style from sources like Rev. Gary Davis, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and Blind Boy Fuller. He learned to fingerpick guitar from his mother, and he delved deeper into the tradition during his college years. He soon became an devotee of bluegrass and old-time stringband music, moving to Asheville, NC to focus on these traditions. Living in the Southeastern United States, he formed a band, Blue Rooster, and cut three CDs, before moving back to the west. Now living on a farm in Dungeness Valley, WA, nestled between the peaks of the stunning Olympic Mountain range, he’s finally found a home for the music he loves.

Elaine Gardner-Morales

Elaine will be back to OMS soon! She is on family leave.

Elaine Gardner-Morales brings a dynamic, broad-based experience to the Olympic Music School. Her professional background includes teaching at the Brookhaven College School of the Arts in Dallas, TX in a variety of subjects, including: composition, theory, guitar, vocal jazz, chorus, and music appreciation. Her college musical ensembles have toured internationally and throughout the United States, receiving awards for their musicianship.  While serving as Chair of the Brookhaven College Music Department of the School of the Arts for 14 years, she was recognized repeatedly with biographies in Who’s Who American Teachers, Cambridge Who’s Who, Notable Women of Texas, Bluebonnet Women of Texas, National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, and she has received numerous awards from the Dallas County Community College District for her work as an educator.
 
Born in Denton, Texas, Ms Gardner-Morales holds degrees from the University of North Texas, and Texas A&M at Commerce in music composition and theory. She has extensive experience as a choral director and composer. Her composition commissions include: Texas Group Piano Symposium, Mesquite Symphony International Episcopal Renewal movement- Happening, Brookhaven Dancers Theater, Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs (grant recipient) and a variety of Dallas area organizations. As a clinician/ presenter/adjudicator, her credits include: Texas State Music Teachers Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Group Piano Association, Prairie State College, University of Texas, Augusta State University, National Humanities Conference, National Institute for Staff and  Organizational Development, Universidad Internacional De La Paz, Universidad de Colima, and various Texas music teacher’s associations.

Underneath all Ms Gardner-Morales accomplishments runs the common thread of  the love of learning and creating music, and she wants each one of her students to experience  the same. She is available to teach and help you learn basic guitar, bass guitar, and vocal jazz. She is also the instructor for Guitar Jam!