Alive and Kicking
Kevin’s current group plays around the Spokane area.
About Kevin Wakefield
Musician. Engineer. Teacher first.
Kevin Wakefield is a Spokane-area music teacher who has spent four decades on stage and in the studio as a keyboardist, trumpet player, singer, composer and sound designer. He teaches students of all ages and also teaches elementary music in public schools.
Kevin Wakefield combines broad musical experience, deep knowledge of music technology and a distinct musical vocabulary to create a fun, comprehensive learning environment for all ages. On stage and in the studio, he has played keyboards, trumpet, saxophone, accordion and guitar and sung in touring groups, variety bands, corporate entertainment acts, theme park shows and worship teams.
“What makes me unique is that I’m not just a techno-wizard,” Kevin says. “I’m in the trenches as a musician, composer, performer, entertainer, arranger, engineer, producer and, most importantly, a teacher.”
His work comes from the passion and creativity he has built over a lifetime of music. Now he wants to help students discover how music can enrich their lives as much as it has enriched his.
40+years performing on keys, trumpet and vocals
30+years engineering in professional recording studios
Moogformer endorsement artist and sound programmer
2 For 1author of the 2 For 1 Scales piano method
Kevin in his home studio.
The story so far
From shy kid with a trumpet to four decades of music.
- Age 10
A trumpet and a Herb Alpert record
Not getting along with his piano teacher, Kevin asked for a trumpet for his birthday, inspired by the Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass album his mom brought home.
- School years
Band president, emcee, “Most Talented”
Junior high band president and emcee, then all-city band, stage band, marching band and concert band. His senior class voted him Most Talented. By eighth grade he knew music would be his career.
- College
Finding his voice at EWU
In his freshman year at Eastern Washington University, Kevin discovered he could sing. Those early piano lessons suddenly paid off too.
- Rock ’n’ roll
Lion and the first songs
Kevin wrote songs as a teenager in a rock band. His group, Lion, eventually released an album he’s still proud of.
- The analog era
Moog endorsement artist
His synthesizer and programming skills earned him an endorsement deal with Moog, then work with other manufacturers and sound companies on commercial sample libraries.
- 1989
Music director & audio engineer
Hired as music director and audio engineer for National Music Service, the world’s largest provider of music to the funeral industry.
- The virtual instrument revolution
Programming with the best
Kevin programmed alongside Gary Garritan, Kirk Hunter and Ilio, and worked as a programmer on Miroslav Vitous’s groundbreaking virtual orchestra. His own sound design project, Analog Meltdown, was critically acclaimed.
- 2002
SpiritFlow Music
Kevin founded his own music library company. His compositions became a staple of the grief support market, used in thousands of video productions and broadcast programs.
- Today
Teacher, author, performer
Kevin teaches private lessons from his Colbert studio and online, teaches elementary music in public schools, wrote the 2 For 1 Scales piano method and still plays out with his band, Alive and Kicking.
In his words
“I believe in the power of music.”
The research confirms it, and Kevin’s own life affirms it. Music gave him career opportunities and, more than that, purpose. The shy, skinny, insecure kid discovered that being a musician was like having a superpower, and from then on he believed anything was possible.
His mission today: empowering young people to believe in the gifts God has given them, and giving them a voice. Not just any voice: their voice.
Why take music lessons? I believe in the power of music.Beyond the lesson room
Kevin’s other projects
SpiritFlow Music
Kevin’s compositions and productions for the grief support market, used in thousands of video productions and broadcast programs.
Analog Meltdown
A critically acclaimed sound library blending the analog and digital synthesis techniques of its day.
Learning Coach
Drawing on his years teaching K–6 in public schools, Kevin has also offered home-learning coaching to help families keep students organized, motivated and on track.
Lessons in Spokane & online
Learn with Kevin.
Kevin’s schedule fills up fast. Send a request and he’ll reach out as soon as a spot opens.