About Us!
Tonic Echo Studios is a Portland-based music studio who is small but mighty, and growing in size. Teaching is a big part of our philosophy. We believe in community-based learning in a fun and supportive environment. In offering both individual lessons and band practices, we put an emphasis on the engagement and growth of our young musicians.
Additionally, Tonic Echo Studios provides all-inclusive services for local artists and aspiring musicians. We pride ourselves on being a studio who are always giving people opportunities to learn and grow. Our goal is to create an encouraging and people-driven music community, where all are welcome.
Pete Wilson
Owner/Teacher
With a degree in Music and Composition, Pete has over 15 years of teaching experience. He enjoys basketball, hiking, and getting caught in the Portland rain. He also has half a brain, so don’t worry. He’s totally qualified to teach your younglings. Just don’t ask him to teach yoga! He’s not into it.
Arjun Ramaswamy
Student Teacher
Arjun has over 7 years of piano experience. He enjoys joining Laura on the trolling couch and writing sonnets to the TES air purifier. His best friend is Frank, the studio’s fake plant and his favorite show is “The Good Place,” because it’s the only show he’s ever watched. He’ll always have a witty remark to make you laugh.
Laura Knapp
Website Designer
As a Major in Business, Laura is a fun and very capable multi-instrumentalist! She was a student of TES for 8 years and helped form ‘Momentum’, the first TES student band! Her and Arjun were the pinnacles of the mutiny that overthrew their mentor and forever changed the music industry! (Don’t worry, we still keep him around in the basement somewhere.) With her sharp-wit, Laura is a joy to be around and delights everyone who crosses her path.
Jeff Goodman
Business Manager
As a former Ops Manager at Best Buy, Jeff brings a plethora of business experience to the young table of TES! Jeff has short hair, a quick wit, a cooler car than Peter (according to Arjun), and is chill to the bone. But don’t get too close though because you’ll get burned by his passion for trolling Pete.
Chris Carlson
Artist Manager/Graphic Artist
As a Live Sound Engineer, Musician, and Artist Manager, Chris picked up the guitar at age 14 and has been playing for over 30 years. He owns a ridiculous number of guitars in his arsenal, and while having an actual job as a Principal Engineer at Intel, he prefers to slum it with us musician folk. Absolutely shreds the bass.
Melissa Studer
Office Manager
Melissa is a multi-talented artist and an experienced songwriter who has released music and continues to release music with Tonic Echo Studios. As the reigning queen of organization, she is the smoke behind the screen, the writing in the emails, and the extra-creamy mousse layer in a chocolate cake. Oh, and did I mention she’s a mom of four and studying to become a masseuse? Girl-boss harder, we can’t hear you in the back.