Welcome to Cascade Music with Dr. Jensina Oliver

"Where words fail, music speaks."
-Hans Christian Andersen
Cascade Music was founded by Dr. Jensina Oliver to provide high quality music education to area
musicians of all
ages. From beginning piano to advanced instruction and teacher training, as well as an expanding
slate of
teachers for a variety of instruments, Cascade Music can provide instruction from recreational to
artist level
and beyond. We prioritize helping students develop a deep love of music and a strong foundation so
that music
will be a life-long endeavor for each student.
Faculty
Founder and Director Dr. Jensina Oliver
Known for her expressive and passionate performances, pianist Jensina Oliver has
appeared as soloist and chamber musician in the United States, China, Canada, Costa
Rica, Israel, and throughout Europe. Her performances with orchestra include
appearances with the Hubei Provincial Orchestra of Wuhan, China, as well the Utah
Philharmonia, Orchestra of Southern Utah, Intermountain Chamber Orchestra,
University of Washington Symphony, and University of Utah Symphony Orchestra. She
was a national finalist of the MTNA Chamber Competition, a resident artist at the Banff
Chamber Music Festival, and has won several solo and concerto competitions
throughout the United States. As a member of Duo Cascadia, Dr. Oliver performs with
Dr. Kay Zavislak, exploring a diverse piano ensemble repertoire and concertizing
throughout the Pacific Northwest region.
Ms. Oliver has been praised by critics as “highly talented,” with a “steely-fingered”
technique and a flair for “panache and drama.” (SL Trib.) “Byington’s command of
dynamic phrasing infused each note with elegant intensity in slower passages; in
virtuosic sections, she played with assuredness and authority.” Ms. Oliver’s first CD,
JENSINA OLIVER performs Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff is available on
CDBaby.com.
Ms. Oliver earned her Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Piano Performance at the
University of Washington under the guidance of Mr. Craig Sheppard and has taught
music courses at Shoreline Community College since 1998. As a National Certified
Teacher of Music (NCTM), she has a thriving studio with students of all ages. Dr. Oliver
travels and teaches around the Pacific Northwest, providing meaningful artistic
instruction to students and teachers alike. She currently resides with her family in
Seattle, where she is a well-known performer, instructor, clinician, and adjudicator.

Dr. Nicholas Tagab, a native of Seattle, embarked on his musical journey at the age
of eight, falling in love with the piano from the outset. His formal education in piano
commenced with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University
of Washington, where he honed his skills under the guidance of Dr. Robin McCabe.
Subsequently, Nicholas pursued a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and
Pedagogy, delving deeper into his artistry with Santiago Rodriguez, while exploring the
intricacies of piano pedagogy with Dr. Naoko Takao. During his tenure at the University
of Miami, Nicholas immersed himself in teaching as a Teaching Assistant for the
keyboard department, providing group piano classes and private piano lessons for the
Frost School of Music.
Eager to further his craft, Nicholas returned to his alma mater, the University of
Washington, in pursuit of a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance, completing his
degree program in 2023, under the mentorship of Dr. McCabe. During this period, he
served as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant for the keyboard program,
further solidifying his role as both a performer and educator. His dedication and
expertise led him to be appointed as a Teaching Assistant for UW’s Humanities First
Program, where he engaged with first-year students, fostering discussions in music,
linguistics, and literature. His prowess as a pianist was recognized in 2022 when he
performed with the Philharmonia Northwest Orchestra as the 1st alternate winner of the
University of Washington Piano Concerto Competition.
Upon his return to Seattle in 2017, Nicholas made his mark in the Seattle piano
scene by establishing a thriving private piano studio, where he imparts his passion for
music to a diverse group of students. Through personalized lesson plans, emphasis on
healthy practice habits, performance opportunities, and comprehensive theory
instruction, he nurtures the next generation of musicians with care and dedication.
Nicholas' commitment to music education extends beyond his private studio, as he also
served as the collaborative pianist and vocal coach for North Creek High School’s
choral program. During his tenure, the choral program consistently achieved top ratings
in festivals and performances, solidifying his reputation as a multifaced musician and
educator dedicated to excellence in all facets of his craft.
Associate Faculty
John Cuthbert | Piano

Born in the Seattle area, John Cuthbert is an experienced piano teacher specializing in both
beginner and advanced students.
John grew up studying classical piano, studying under the Suzuki method with Janet Schweiger for
over 11 years. He performed
and competed in the Seattle Young Artist Music Festival held at the University of Washington from
1998 to 2002.
John has been teaching in the Seattle area since 2020. With a passion for jazz, popular music, and a
deep understanding of all
styles of music theory, he creates engaging, creative lessons tailored to each student's needs.
Whether you're just starting or
looking to refine your skills, John makes learning fun by blending technique with musical
exploration, ensuring that students enjoy
the process while mastering the art of piano play.

Lingxi Zhao | Violin
Hailing from Hunan, Lingxi Zhao is a Chinese violinist pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts
degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She studies with Professor Nelson
Lee of the Jupiter String Quartet and serves as the Violin Teaching Assistant in the UIUC string
department. Lingxi obtained her Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at
Greensboro, where she studied with Dr. Fabian Lopez and served as a violin teaching assistant.
Previously, she studied with Yue Xu at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music, where she received
her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance.
Deeply passionate about chamber music, Lingxi has worked closely with members of the
Pacifica Quartet, Jupiter Quartet, and Time for Three (Tf3), among others. As a founding
member of the Praxidike String Quartet, she is committed to promoting underrepresented voices
and has helped bring classical music to new spaces and audiences. Lingxi has performed in
diverse settings across the globe, including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Krannert Art
Center, Xinghai Music Hall, Haikou Music Hall, and Guangzhou Opera House. She has
performed with distinguished artists including Lang Lang and Yundi Li. Additionally, she has
performed with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra,
Sinfonia da Camera, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and Zhuzhou Symphony Orchestra. She has
also served as guest concertmaster for the Cascade Symphony Orchestra and Illinois Lyrical
Theatre.
Lingxi Zhao has received the Excellent Student Prize, Elite Student Scholarships, and the
Excellent Academic Study Prize during her academic career. She has participated in various
masterclasses, working with renowned musicians and pedagogues such as Yi Chen, Kevork
Mardirossian, Renée Jolles, Nicholas DiEugenio, Felix Olschofka, Julia Bushkova, and Long
Zhou. Lingxi has won fellowships from organizations including the Miami Music Festival and
Texas Music Festival.
As an experienced teacher, Lingxi has served as the primary instructor teaching non-music
major college students at the University of Illinois, also a violin instructor at the Illinois
String
Academy. She was recognized on the List of Teaching Honors in 2024 and ranked as Excellent
by students in 2021 and 2022 at University of Illinois. Lingxi holds a Graduate Teaching
Certificate from the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning at the University of Illinois.
Wilson Manis | Saxophone

Wilson Manis is an accomplished young alto saxophone player studying music education with Jeff
Kashiwa at Shoreline Community College. Wilson plays lead alto sax and flute in the SCC’s award
winning jazz ensemble and also plays saxophone in the small jazz combo there.
Outside of class Wilson leads his own jazz combo that records and performs at street fairs,
churches, and fundraisers throughout the Shoreline area. He has also marched in the University of
Washington Husky Marching Band.
As a senior at Shorewood High School Wilson received the prestigious Louis Armstrong Award for
outstanding jazz musician and earned Superior Soloist Awards at the Newport Jazz Festival and the
Bellevue Jazz Festival.
In his various ensembles Wilson has performed throughout the Seattle area including the Edmonds Jazz
Walk; Sheridan Market and Roadhouse; house band for Ronald Commons Neighborhood Night Out; Haller
Lake United Methodist Church; Newport Jazz Festival; Bellevue Jazz Festival; West Side Band
Festival; Western Washington University Band Festival; Spokane Lilac Festival.