Tristan Marshall & His Amazing Family: A Story of Consistency Paying Off

At La Di Da Lessons, we get to see something special on a regular basis: a student starts with curiosity, builds a routine, hits a few bumps, and then—almost without realizing it—crosses into a new level of confidence and musicality.

Tristan Marshall is a great example of that journey.

When Tristan came to La Di Da Lessons, he already had something valuable: a genuine love of music and a solid foundation on the ukulele. But what’s been especially impressive is how much he’s grown as a guitar student. Guitar can be a challenging instrument to level up on—clean chord changes, steady rhythm, accurate fretting, right-hand control, and confident playing all take real time to develop. Tristan has put in that time.

Through consistent lessons and focused practice, Tristan has made meaningful progress in the areas that truly matter: smoother transitions, stronger timing, better tone, and a growing ability to play through songs with confidence. Those skills don’t appear overnight—they’re built the right way: clear instruction, steady follow-through at home, and the willingness to keep going even when something feels difficult at first.

And while Tristan’s guitar progress is the centerpiece of his story, we’ve also loved helping refine the musicality he already brought with him as a ukulele player. In lessons, we’ve been able to polish the skills he had—tightening rhythm, improving consistency, expanding his chord vocabulary, and adding performance-ready details that help his playing feel even more confident and expressive.

Behind Tristan is an “amazing family” in the best sense of the phrase—supportive, encouraging, and excited to celebrate the progress. They’ve been generous in sharing photos and videos that capture Tristan doing what students ultimately want to do: play music in real life. Not just in a lesson, not just in practice, but in the moments where music becomes part of everyday life.

Tristan’s story is why we love teaching. It’s proof that when a student shows up, keeps going, and has support at home, the results are real.

If you’re reading this as a current student, we hope this inspires you to stay with your routine—even 10–15 focused minutes a day adds up quickly. And if you’re a former student who’s been meaning to return, we’d love to help you restart with a plan that fits your schedule and goals.

Because here’s the truth: progress comes back fast when consistency returns.

A Note of Encouragement (Especially for Homeschool Families)

One of the most meaningful parts of music education isn’t just learning notes and chords—it’s building confidence.

Tristan’s story is a great example of growth through consistency, and his family’s support has been an important part of that. And we also want to share a quick note from Tristan’s family that we hope encourages other students—especially those in the homeschool community.

Tristan’s younger sister Gemma has recently decided to take a big step: she plans to play with the Central Oregon Youth Orchestra, with rehearsals beginning Monday. Playing alongside other musicians (and in public) can feel like a huge leap, and her family is hopeful this experience will help her gain confidence performing in front of others over time.

They also specifically shared how grateful they are for Jenna Bauer, one of our instructors at La Di Da Lessons, who has been teaching Gemma violin. Jenna has been incredibly helpful in preparing Gemma for this next step—strengthening her technique, musicianship, and readiness to play alongside other young musicians.

Jenna teaches using the Suzuki method, which emphasizes strong fundamentals, steady skill-building, listening, and repetition—an approach that can be especially effective for helping students feel prepared and confident as they grow. She has a gift for meeting students where they are and guiding them forward with a blend of clear instruction, encouragement, and high musical standards.

We’re proud of Gemma for taking this step, grateful to the Marshall family for allowing us to share this encouragement, and thankful to Jenna for the kind of thoughtful teaching that helps students grow in both skill and confidence.