Business booms at Larson Studio

Gwen Larson is an amazing music, piano, and choir teacher at Piercing Arrow Private School. She was born and raised in Portland,,Ore. Gwen started in the church choir at Central Lutheran Church when she was 5 years old. When she was 9 and a half, she started learning piano along with the pipe organ..Gwen felt very privileged to be able to have an organ at her house.

"At 9 and a half, I knew what I would do for the rest of my life," she said. Gwen loved music and everything included in it. She started teaching private piano lessons in her home when she was 16..Gwen used the money she earned from teaching to pay for her college. She graduated as a junior from Parkrose High School with more credits than needed. She went to Portland State University and purchased a grand piano instead of a car at the age of 19. Gwen was involved in West Coast Julliard master classes,,studied with international artists, and played at over 100 churches across the US. Gwen was definitely busy doing what she loves..

"I'm married to a phenomenal man, professional artist and photographer, Randy Larson, who has one of his commissioned, original paintings of the Flippen Castle displayed there at the stairway inside." Gwen said. Randy and Gwen have four children, and she continued to work while taking care of them..She works as a director of music at St. Marks Lutheran Church, CMHS, RMHS, Glencoe in Hillsboro, and used to work at the Parkrose School District in Portland for 10 years. She accompanies many groups for solo and ensemble competitions throughout Western Oregon. Gwen accompanies the community choir in Clatskanie. The choir is performing free to the public on Sunday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at the Meeting Place.

Gwen credits God for giving her direction in life, from her playing the flute in concerts and marching bands from fifth grade to high school, to her first accompanying of a musical called "Opereta" as a sixth grader, God stirred her in music, "God led me in the direction throughout my life, and helped me through many tribulations. I am so very thankful to be blessed and able to share His gifts bestowed upon me."

Gwen currently teaches private piano and vocal lessons in her home on her nine-foot concert grand piano. If you would like to start lessons, you can email her at adagiogdlmusic@yahoo.com or text/call her at 503-369-1418.