Half Note Music School & Store

History

Established in 1996.

HNMS Director, Jack Dowdell has been teaching private music classes since 1975, beginning in his upstate New York neighborhood. After college (Berklee and beyond) he had a successful public school teaching career in Texas, all the while maintaining a small group of private students.

In 1996, he moved to this area with plans of continuing his public school music career. Prior to the move, he had secured 13 private students here in the Seattle area. These 13 actually took classes in a studio converted from Jack’s brother’s master bedroom! They spread the word about their instruction and within three months, he had secured 26 students. With that, he took the Half Note to a commercial location in Bellevue. After several years in that first outside location, further growth forced the Half Note to larger space.

Today, students can get Half Note instruction at the main campus in Bellevue, through University of Washington’s Experimental College and with membership at the Bellevue Club.

Meet the Business Owner

Jack D.

Business Owner

Jack was a baby who’d stop crying when he could hear a song. His mother sang, played guitar, piano, and passed her family’s love of music on to him. His obsession was fed in school programs and with the occasional lessons the family could afford. After runs on harmonica, piano, drums, trombone and voice, Jack got a Sears guitar for his 13^th Christmas.

That day, he played through the booklet with blistering fingers while other gifts sat idle. For the next two years, he learned by ear and playing in bands. At 15, with growing skills, Jack was ready for more than his high school repertoire. Looking for the next teacher, he walked to the music store closest to his home.

Good luck, the muses or both made that was the best in his musical life. Rising star Richie Hart had set up shop there and was taking on pupils. At the time, Hart was studying with George Benson, inspiration he passed along. Jack stayed with Hart, worked hard, and was accepted into Berklee College of Music in Boston.