Here at West Music in Marion and Coralville, IA we are very fortunate to have the multi-talented Bart Yates as one of our studio teachers.  Bart offers lessons on the clarinet, saxophone, and bass guitar.

Bart is originally from Cheyenne, WY but moved to Iowa in 1969.  After graduating from Lamoni High School Bart got his degree in clarinet performance from Drake University in 1985.  He then moved to Massachusetts and earned a master’s degree in woodwind performance from Boston University.  He began teaching in the New England area in 1989.  Ten years later he moved back to Iowa.

Bart enjoys jazz, funk, and blues music but teaches in all styles.  He has also done extensive recording work.  Some of Bart’s woodwind students have been accepted into the All State band.

When Bart is not teaching he studies Kung Fu and is an accomplished writer.  His first book won the Alex Award and he has a total of 3 books out with the 4^th on the way.  In the summer he teaches writing workshops at the University of Iowa’s Summer Writing Festival.  If you are interested in learning to play an instrument, write, or just to learn more about Bart himself check out his website www.bartyates.com.  Be sure to ask him why he calls everyone at West Music “Matt” except for the teacher named Matt.

“Every time a book opens, an angel coughs up a hairball.”-Bart Yates