THE ZRE MUSIC STUDIO TEAM
Our creative and experienced teachers are open for private lessons for all ages including adults & group lessons for kids 6-12.
Robin Ziari
Studio Founder & Lead Instructor
A lifelong musician, composer, improviser, and songwriter - and all-around proponent of creativity as a way of life - Robin founded ZRE Music Studio in 2017 out of his home studio before expanding in 2023.
Robin was raised in Hermiston, Oregon and was lucky to find his calling through music lessons, studying both piano and saxophone privately and participating in every possible school band activity. He earned his bachelor's degree in Music Composition from the University of Oregon in 2003, studying composition under David Crumb and Robert Kyr. After college, there was an 8-year layover in New York City spent playing in rock bands and working as a web developer, while taking musical commissions for television and theatre on the side. Robin and his wife Rebecca moved back to Oregon and settled in NE Portland in 2011.
As a teacher, Robin's students enjoy the flexible, customized nature of lessons that guide them steadily towards their goals while opening up new ways of thinking about their creative lives. Students are always encouraged to become well-rounded by exploring a variety of musical styles and ideas outside of classical music - such as playing by ear, improvising, songwriting, using lead sheets and chord charts, transcribing, and exploring electronic music. Robin particularly enjoys teaching pop-stye piano to adults and teens, and working with students that want to pursue composition and jazz improvisation at a high level.
Robin also volunteers his time as a mentor to young music graduates looking to enter the teaching profession, and is deeply involved with the Oregon Music Teachers Association (OMTA). He is the current chair of the OMTA East Portland District Composition Festival, which provides opportunities for young students to have their work appraised by a professional composer. As a studio owner, Robin is dedicated to constant innovation in the teaching profession, and integrating the newest research and methods that will appeal to the modern-day music student. With an unconventional and varied career that includes studying under David Bowie's pianist, Mike Garson, and teaching the legendary Bo Diddley how to play guitar synth (!) - Robin brings a fresh perspective and a voice of leadership to the already vibrant music teaching community in Portland.
Together with Rebecca, they have 3 wonderful cats and are the legal guardians of Rebecca's brother Matthew, a hard-working guy with Down Syndrome who is an expert at handing out programs at our yearly recitals!
Robin was raised in Hermiston, Oregon and was lucky to find his calling through music lessons, studying both piano and saxophone privately and participating in every possible school band activity. He earned his bachelor's degree in Music Composition from the University of Oregon in 2003, studying composition under David Crumb and Robert Kyr. After college, there was an 8-year layover in New York City spent playing in rock bands and working as a web developer, while taking musical commissions for television and theatre on the side. Robin and his wife Rebecca moved back to Oregon and settled in NE Portland in 2011.
As a teacher, Robin's students enjoy the flexible, customized nature of lessons that guide them steadily towards their goals while opening up new ways of thinking about their creative lives. Students are always encouraged to become well-rounded by exploring a variety of musical styles and ideas outside of classical music - such as playing by ear, improvising, songwriting, using lead sheets and chord charts, transcribing, and exploring electronic music. Robin particularly enjoys teaching pop-stye piano to adults and teens, and working with students that want to pursue composition and jazz improvisation at a high level.
Robin also volunteers his time as a mentor to young music graduates looking to enter the teaching profession, and is deeply involved with the Oregon Music Teachers Association (OMTA). He is the current chair of the OMTA East Portland District Composition Festival, which provides opportunities for young students to have their work appraised by a professional composer. As a studio owner, Robin is dedicated to constant innovation in the teaching profession, and integrating the newest research and methods that will appeal to the modern-day music student. With an unconventional and varied career that includes studying under David Bowie's pianist, Mike Garson, and teaching the legendary Bo Diddley how to play guitar synth (!) - Robin brings a fresh perspective and a voice of leadership to the already vibrant music teaching community in Portland.
Together with Rebecca, they have 3 wonderful cats and are the legal guardians of Rebecca's brother Matthew, a hard-working guy with Down Syndrome who is an expert at handing out programs at our yearly recitals!
Chance Longhorn
Private Lesson Instructor
Chance is a Portland based composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. In 2023 he received a B.M. in Music Education from Portland State University where he studied classical piano, composition, and education. Chance has experience with a wide variety of musical styles and genres and approaches all music with an open ear and an open heart. He has performed at home and abroad with ensembles like the Oregon Symphony, the Portland State University Chamber Choir, and Pink Martini.
Chance believes that teaching is about meeting students where they are at and guiding them to where they want to be. In his eyes, fostering a relationship between the student and their inner creative is the most important job a music educator has. He enjoys working with people of all ages and levels of experience. In his free time, Chance likes to read and write fiction, draw, and play D&D with his friends.
Chance believes that teaching is about meeting students where they are at and guiding them to where they want to be. In his eyes, fostering a relationship between the student and their inner creative is the most important job a music educator has. He enjoys working with people of all ages and levels of experience. In his free time, Chance likes to read and write fiction, draw, and play D&D with his friends.
Diane Tran
Private & Group Lesson Instructor
Diane has been teaching piano lessons since 2018 and received her B.S. in Piano Performance from Portland State University in 2023. She has played in many recitals and performances in both piano and choir ensembles at Portland Community College and at Portland State.
Diane has teaching experience with students of all ages and enjoys making the lessons as fun as possible for her students. Oftentimes, her lessons can be heard from the children's laughter as the teacher loves to tell jokes and make lessons enjoyable. Diane loves reading and improvising on the piano in the pentatonic scale in her free time, and loves to play music for her 9 chickens in the summer.
Diane has teaching experience with students of all ages and enjoys making the lessons as fun as possible for her students. Oftentimes, her lessons can be heard from the children's laughter as the teacher loves to tell jokes and make lessons enjoyable. Diane loves reading and improvising on the piano in the pentatonic scale in her free time, and loves to play music for her 9 chickens in the summer.