Bailey Ehrgott

“I bring my knowledge with an attitude of trust and sincerity to my students. I strive to be a stepping stone where my students are supported on achieving their goals. Music is to be enjoyed, not to suffer from, although there are times we may feel stuck by the technique. However, once the technique is learned, it’s all uphill fun from there.”

From the Tri-Cities, Washington. Bailey began her interest in jazz after starting her college course work, she auditioned for the community college’s jazz ensemble and made the guitar chair. Throughout her years of studied at Columbia Basin College, during the festival season Bailey performed with guest artists such as The Jeff Hamilton Trio, Randy Brecker, Bruce Babad, Andy Martin, Gordon Goodwin, and Wayne Bergeron. She attended the Centrum Jazz Workshop in Port Townsend, WA during the summers . A workshop directed by Grammy-winning bassist/composer/conductor John Clayton where she gained further knowledge and experience of the Jazz community and language.

After completing her Associates Degree, Bailey continued her studies at CBC starting a bachelors in Applied Management. In August 2016 Bailey transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA after being awarded the World Tour Merit Scholarship. She studied guitar with Sheryl Bailey, Richie Hart, and took guitar lab with Tim Miller at the Boston, MA campus. While studying abroad at the Valencia Spain campus she studied privately with Israel Sandoval, and world renowned bassist Gary Willis. Her years at Berklee gave her the opportunities to excel in an environment flourished in the music scene.

Upon completing her Bachelors in Professional Music, in 2019 Bailey was awarded the Berklee Groove Scholarship to return to the Valencia, Spain Campus and pursue a Masters of Music in Contemporary Performance & Production. Working towards her development as an artist and musician she studied with Israel Sandoval, Perico Sambeat, Polo Orti, Victor Mendoza and worded renowned fusion bassist Gary Willis. In July of 2020 Bailey graduated with the highest honors of Summa Cum Laude in her class. Her most proud accomplishments include performing at Jimmy Glass Jazz Bar with The Santi Navalon Organ Quartet, being a selected Semi - Finalist for the 2019/2020 7th Virtual Jazz Competition, and being awarded a full scholarship for the Alternative Guitar Summit workshop in New York August 2022, 2022, and performing with Italian saxophonist Ada Rovatti.

Bailey’s goals include recording an EP or EP this 2022/2023 year, teach privately and academically, tour, have a future jazz club, travel, support the local jazz scene, and later in life she aims to create a scholarship foundation or to be a donor to the future students in the jazz community.

Teaching Philosophy by Ms. Bailey Ehrgott: Music has always been so intriguing to me sonically, melodically, rhythmically, and creatively. Learning the technical and fundamental elements all part of the process, although, I enjoy putting emphasis on the creative parts of teaching as those are the sacred areas that are meant to be surfaced in all of us. Creativity allows us to explore and ultimately find our own sound/voice in the musical space. A professor of mine once told me, “Bailey, when I listen to someone improvise I believe it’s their soul speaking to us! It’s my job as your professor to help you speak musically! There will come a time when it will be your job to pass that on to your students, let music speak for our souls.” Discovering what type of music makes my students tick is where I put my emphasis on teaching. Learning the basic foundations and building blocks on the fretboard are essential, however when a student is fully emerged into the type of music they love, it starts to develop into a passion with their instrument. Putting attention on learning songs they enjoy is one of the best ways to go about learning how to play!