Teacher Profile: Renee Thorkelson

About Renee Thorkelson

Renée has been playing guitar since her parents bought her a guitar when she was 14 years old. She started learning by listening to her favorite songs and stopping them every few measures to learn a new passage until she learned the whole song. Renée continued learning through formal lessons while growing up and, into adulthood, once moving to Seattle. Renée studied Music Theory and Conducting at University of Washington while earning a bachelor's degree in chemistry.

Along the way she knew what she loved about music was both the excitement of discovery and the peace music brings. Teaching gives Renée the unique opportunity to share this fun with her students. In addition to teaching guitar, she has played in and directed several contemporary ensembles over the past several decades.

Most recently, Renée performed in a local production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” which was great fun and a wonderful, new experience. During the summer you might find her keeping score at a Mariners game. At most other times, Renée is happily being ordered around by her cat, Charlie.