Welcome to the website of classically trained violist and teacher Heather Mattie Kaiser -- you can call me Mattie. I’ve been playing viola for fifteen years, and can be found playing in Portland, Oregon in classical ensembles, rock bands and in the recording studio. I also have a passion for teaching music. I offer private lessons and teach musical movement group classes.

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music was my home for four intensive years, where I studied with Jodi Levitz. I graduated with a B.M. in Viola performance in 2006. My true love is chamber music, and I have studied in depth at numerous international music festivals as well as at Stanford and the Meadowmount School of Music. I am continuing my education by pursuing certification in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a method for teaching rhythmic movement as well as physical and instrumental improvisation at the Carnegie Mellon Dalcroze Training Center.

Since moving to Portland I have been immersed in several different exciting projects. I am the founder, and proud parent of the group Classical Revolution PDX which is dedicated to breaking down stereotypes about classical music and making chamber music accessible to everyone.

Sometimes I have to break away from the classical world, plug in my viola and rock out a little. It is Portland after all. I have performed with local acts Sophe Lux, The Coal Age, Celilo and James Faretheewell.

Well, that’s me, I’m Mattie and I play viola. Of course, if you have any questions please email me, and I would be delighted to tell you more about myself.