Jim Allchin

Jim Allchin
Former Vice President of Microsoft, Jim studied with Jay Roberts privately. Already being a fine Blues player, he expanded his horizons with Rock-Fusion and Jazz. Now retired from Microsoft, he had found even more time to dedicate to music and just released his first album. Getting reviews and praise from the likes of Eric Clapton and Eric Johnson, Jim really knocked it out of the park! He also sang, along with writing and arranging all original music. Check it out here

Evan Foster

Evan Foster
Evan came to RMI as an already accomplished professional guitar player. Having recorded commercials and touring around the world with his group, Boss Martians. He really wanted to improve his overall skills along with developing accelerated learning techniques. The Superchops program helped him obtain his goals rapidly. His professional career keeps him on the road touring, so we don’t get to have his great energy around here anymore. We wish him the best!

Alex Douthitt

Alex Douthitt
Alex started at RMI when he was only thirteen years old. The first thing he wanted to nail down was Eruption by Van Halen. With a lot of hard work, note by note, he not only accomplished it…he perfected it (watch it here). He then had his mind set on going to Berklee so he got to work on reading, theory and Jazz. Along the way he tackled some fusion and learned a Guthrie Govan solo, again note for note perfection (watch it here). Alex has amazing phrasing, technique as well as a great voice. He was accepted into Berklee’s music program in Fall 2010 and will undoubtedly play guitar for the rest of his life. Look out John Mayer…this guy is hot on your tail!
 Update: Alex is currently gigging around the Boston area and got a the job as Studio Operations Assistant at the Berklee studios. He’s planning on graduating in December with his Bachelor in Music Production and Engineering. You can check out his musician site here

Way Too Loose

Way Too Loose
This group of students all studied with a variety of of instructors at RMI. Many also took the Superchops Series. Doug Faber (Guitar), Scott Flood (Bass) and Ken Craig (Guitar) all formed the core group “Way Too Loose”. These guys are now gigging all around the Puget Sound area, professionally. Check them out on Myspace and Facebook to find out where to catch them next!

Zack Peck
Zack started guitar with Jay Roberts when Zack was still in high school. He then proceeded to take Super Chops 1 & 2 and improved his already fast technique to blistering speeds. He then applied for Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA and was accepted with “flying colors”. Keep an eye out for this guy in the near future!

Jake Patterson
Jake came into RMI as a freshman at Mercer Island High School. Already versed in Rock playing, he switched focus to Jazz guitar…studying with the likes of Chris Lenk, Tim Lerch, Mike McGee, Jay Roberts and Don Mock. As well as being a fine vocalist, Jake has really taken to the Jazz guitar, completing the Berklee Summer Guitar Program. He plans on attending Berklee full time after graduating . Good job!
Update: Looks like Jake is doing great! Turns out he recently made the Fall 2012 Dean’s List at Berklee College of Music! How cool is that?!

Jacob Jung

Jacob Jung
With only three years of guitar playing experience under his belt Jacob came to RMI at the beginning of his senior year of high school. Jacob’s goals included improving his Jazz playing and also to go to college for music so this is exactly what his teacher, Lucien LaMotte, helped him do. Not only did Jacob receive the Presidential Award for Achievement in Music but he will be attending Musician’s Institute starting this fall! Congratulations Jacob!

Sadie Norkin

Sadie Norkin
Sadie has been an RMI student for over five years now. She has been playing guitar for about 8 years now and has performed at several venues and events. Amongst her favorites are Bumbershoot and El Corazon in Seattle but her most memorable would be a performance for an Emily the Strange Press Party in Los Angeles. Sadie has a very eclectic musical preference and enjoys all styles…but she LOVES to rock out! When asked about her greatest musical accomplishment she replied “starting to write my own songs and having the confidence to do so” and of course “getting into Berklee School of Music was a huge HUGE accomplishment for me as well!” Sadie will be attending Berklee School of Music this Fall and we wish her nothing but luck. We are very proud of you Sadie!

Sadie’s been playing guitar since she was 10 years old and has been performing ever since she came to RMI. Given the chance to see her in action, you would think she’s been performing for a LOT longer than five years! Check out Sadie playing some cover tunes and even some originals on Youtube.

Good Luck Sadie!

Caspian Coberly jams with Lee Oskar and RMI’s Tim Lerch at the Jimi Hendrix Birthday Party at Sky Ultra Lounge.

…and his performance of “Under The Bridge”

-Caspian Coberly plays the National Anthem at Key Arena for the Seattle Storm

-Collin Ness plays “Donna Lee” at RMI Ensemble Performances

-Greg Pascale plays “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”

“I got my start with jazz guitar back in the 1970s by taking a weekend class with Jay’s dad Howard.  But the years went by, and I put away the guitar for school and work and family.  When I moved to Bellevue a few years back, I was lucky to find RMI, and it rekindled my interest in music.  The day I first walked into RMI for a weekend clinic, Jay invited me to ‘Jam on Blues in B-flat’.  I was blown away by meeting and playing with Howard’s son!  It’s been non-stop fun ever since.

The staff members at RMI are always friendly and helpful, and the instructors are some of the best players in the Pacific Northwest area.  It’s a great place for social networking and making lasting new friends, too.

Over the past three years, I’ve taken lessons and clinics from Jay, Don, David, Tim, Mike, and Lucien.  These guys are all monster players!  I’ve taken many ensemble classes, from jazz to R&B to Motown.   My weeknight at RMI is always a highlight of the week for me, and I am truly grateful for Jay and the entire RMI staff.  We are really lucky to have them in the area.”

Below are a couple examples of RMI Ensembles which he has participated in:

Here is a “Jazz/Rock” fusion ensemble performance.  Don Mock was the instructor.

Here is an “R&B” ensemble performance.  Tim Lerch was the instructor.

Finally, here is a link to a youtube channel for a semi-pro band I formed.  This is where I get to really apply the many things I learn at RMI.  The RMI ensemble performances really helped me get comfortable playing in front of real audiences:

• http://www.youtube.com/cherieblues

Thanks for listening, and come on by RMI!
Clifford Dibble, perpetual RMI student and web-master for www.seattlejazzguitarsociety.org

^Alex is 14 years old in this video and had only been playing guitar for about 4 years. Within his 1 year of study at RMI, he had shown remarkable growth and ability to focus on the task at hand. Here he is performing the classic Van Halen track Eruption.

^Here is Alex four years after the famous “Eruption” video, performing a Guthrie Govan inspired solo.

Here’s what Alex has to say about Roberts Music Institute…

…”My name is Alex Douthitt. I am 18 years old and have been playing guitar since I was 10. At age 14, I started taking private lessons with Jay who dramatically helped improve my playing. I also took one of Don Mock’s theory classes and did a rock ensemble at RMI. With the help of Jay, I mastered “Eruption” at age 14. Shortly after, I stopped RMI. In the following years, I began playing and singing in various rock bands around the seattle area. I also began teaching my own private guitar lessons. I started taking lessons with Jay again during my senior year to prepare me for my audition with Berklee college of music. I also took voice lessons with Kelly during this time. I was recently accepted to Berklee and start this fall. I don’t think I would have made it without the help of RMI. The instructors at RMI are some of the best musicians there are. I recommend RMI to anybody serious about music. ESPECIALLY FOR THE GUITAR! I can’t think of anywhere else in the area that offers the experience you get at RMI.” – Alex Douthitt