I first met the Lundquists in 1998. Or maybe it was 1999…I was seven at the time, so exact dates are a little fuzzy. But whatever the year, it divided my young life into two eras, Before Bob and After Bob.

When I arrived at his studio, I was trained in West African and Afro-Cuban percussion, and had worked through a piano primer under my grandfather’s guidance. Music was a joy and a pleasure, and Bob took that and worked what I now recognize as a miracle: he taught me how to practice and perfect my craft while encouraging and building that joy. By the time I moved away to South Carolina in 2003 (it was summer, and I was eleven, so I could figure out that date), I had gone from playing nursery tunes to playing Chopin preludes and Mozart sonatas, and loving every piece I performed.

I had also begun composing. Like all composers, my early attempts were…uninspiring. But Bob was never anything but encouraging, and always found something worth praising, even while pointing out the flaws and pushing me to improve. He has always been the perfect mentor. Even now, some of my happiest memories are of sitting at the piano in Bob’s music room, or walking in the incredible garden he and Pat maintain, or just pulling into their driveway and, from the backseat of my parents’ car, knowing that for a little while I could be in the beautiful, indelibly warm and love-filled world the Lundquists created between them.

After I moved, I continued working with Bob, culminating in my current studies in composition. Over the past few years I have written, under Bob’s guidance and encouragement, several string quartets, a piano suite, and a piece for full symphonic orchestra, along with a jazz quartet and the score to a musical. And this fall, I will be starting my graduate studies in music theory at the University of Cambridge, due in large part to Bob’s ability to teach not only how to perform music, but how to understand it.

But for all the success that the knowledge Bob so tirelessly imparted has brought me, my life After Bob has been brighter as much because of who he and Pat are as what they taught me. I am proud to call them not only my teachers, but my friends.

Noah F.

 

From the first lesson Bob helped me feel at ease and I felt an immediate connection to him and his wife Pat. They are wonderful people that I feel privileged to have met and you are in for a treat when you enter their sweet home. Since that first lesson, every lesson has continued to be a delight. He is the first voice teacher that has truly believed in me and gave me confidence that I can succeed as a singer. Even though I had no professional goals at that current time, Bob still treated me as a musician who was striving for excellence.

Bob introduced me to new styles that gently challenged me and increased my musical knowledge. With each song he taught me about the composers and the meaning and dynamics in the piece. He seemed to know just what songs would fit my voice well and that would help me grow, and I appreciated how he treated my voice like an instrument. My overall voice range increased by several notes; my lower range was weak when I started, but I noticed how much more power and steadiness was there as time progressed.

I also learned some other things that were unexpected bonuses. Bob and his wife Pat helped teach me performance etiquette, and I was given many opportunities to perform, meet other musicians, and receive feedback. During lessons and warm-ups he would also give me tidbits on music theory and we would also practice sight-singing. His wife Pat, miraculously helped me pronounce French correctly for some of the pieces I performed.

Lastly, Bob is a remarkable accompanist. It was my first experience of having a performance that melded between vocalist and pianist to create a musically edifying “duet”. He is a rare gem and a treasured friend and teacher.

Sara R.

After having studied piano performance and composition with Bob Lundquist for six years I have come away with fond memories. His teaching eloquently embraces patience, kindness, humor, and above all a unique and warm personality. Before my studies at the Lundquist Music Studio, previous teachers had provided me with strong fundamentals and induced in me a love for music. My last teacher strongly recommended I study with Bob as she felt I needed to be challenged to achieve a higher level of accomplishment. She was so right.

At my first lesson with Bob, he introduced me to the concept of striving for excellence. No longer would I simply “play” a piece, but rather – with Bob’s guidance – I started developing a complete understanding of the piece’s composer, the historic and cultural background in which it was set, the emotional material of the piece, and its structure, and how to appropriately interpret it. In addition I was exposed to a variety of interpretations by various pianists, and drew inspiration from signature recordings of celebrated pianists. I gained a strong personal sense of my role and responsibility as an interpreter of the composer and how to interpret.

Performance etiquette was introduced as well as the idea of performing a piece as close to perfection as possible, through meaningful and targeted practice. I was definitely challenged and that challenge drew me into a deeper, more thoughtful and musical way to play the piano. My passion, style, and musicality developed with time. Bob also encouraged me to write music, resulting in several compositions which were notated and performed. My favorite aspect of Bob’s teaching is his clear and concise guidance in phrasing, dynamics, fingering, etc., but not in a manner that was ever limiting. He allowed and encouraged me to explore my own voice and musicality as an individual, yet guided me so that I still respected the intentions of the composers whose works I learned and performed.

Bob and his wife, Pat, are kind, happy, good, and loving people. They will always be lifelong friends and two individuals whom I am privileged to know.

Jake C.

Robert is a gifted teacher who combines rigorous standards with constant encouragement and support. He brings considerable knowledge to each lesson and illuminates the history and context of each piece, while helping students achieve greater artistry and command of the music. Students are inspired not merely to achieve greater technique, but to become thoughtful, engaged and passionate musicians.

Marc H.-S.

As his teacher for the past five years, Robert has provided my son with vast amounts of encouragement, motivation, inspiration, technical expertise, confidence and a passion for music.  While Robert clearly has tremendous knowledge, it is his connective capacity and ability to bring out the best in his students that sets him apart.   He is simply the best!

Laura – mother of Marc H.-S.

 

Getting to study with Bob Lundquist is a privilege that only comes around once in a lifetime. I had the luxury of studying with him from the ages of 10 to 18. His studio abounds with encouragement, creativity, discipline, and true musical knowledge. He taught me not only the basic principles of music but also has the unique ability to recognize in each student where their strengths lie and take them as far as they wish to go with their music. Not many teachers have the range to work with a beginning musician or with accomplished performers – Bob does. Bob encouraged me specifically with composition and led me to many accolades throughout the years including winning national and state-wide composition contests and having some of my works published. I continue to compose and play today and work in the arts. I absolutely have no doubt that Bob was one of the single biggest creative cultivators in my life. Bellingham is very lucky to have such a force and talent that is usually reserved for our larger cities such as New York or Los Angeles.

Sadie S.

Bob is an amazing teacher. I was a vocal student with Bob for six years spanning across high school. He made me so comfortable from the very first time we met. My voice really grew and developed quickly while working with Bob. With his guidance we choose music that I loved but also improved my voice. I got better and better without even thinking of it. Bob has a very encouraging and positive teaching style. His enjoyment of the music is engrossing. I had the opportunity to do music projects for music history day, perform in local recitals and for adjudicators for more formal performances. My senior voice recital was such a special day where all the hard work was show cased for family, friends and the public. I highly recommend Bob to any music student who is looking for a kind, compassionate teacher who will not only make you grow as a musician but will enrich your whole life.

Erin O.