Tracie Whitelaw

Tracie Whitelaw, MMus, BMus, BA spent twenty years as a US military musician, entertaining audiences all over North America, Europe and the Middle East. One highlight was touring the American west coast with the US Army Field Band where they recorded Soundtrack of the American Soldier at Skywalker Sound which won the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album. Another highlight was teaching the bassoon at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia, working with all incoming bassoonists for the Navy, Marines, and Army.

A passionate chamber musician, Tracie has participated in many festivals, coordinated benefit recitals, debuted new works by living composers and received a National Endowment for the Arts Rural Residency grant, the Army Musical Performance Team of the Year award for woodwinds, 1st prize at the Carmel International Chamber Music Festival and performed at the National Arts Center of Canada in an artist debut recital.

While serving in the Army, Tracie was asked to play the bass guitar during a deployment to Iraq. She immediately fell in love and decided to make learning bass a priority. She completed the Berklee Professional Certificate in Electric Bass, attended several of Jim Stinnett’s Bass Workouts, and the Gerald Veasley Bass Boot Camp.

Her learning really kicked into high gear when she discovered Ariane Cap’s Music Theory for the Bass Player online course in 2019. She has completed the course twice and is currently coaching her third cohort. She has also completed three 10-week Pattern System Masterclasses, several other masterclass series focusing on jazz and rhythm, and the ear confidence course. She is a founding member of the live practice membership where she participates weekly. Because of Ariane’s incredible guidance and mentorship, Tracie now plays bass in several groups including a blues band, a jazz combo and a community big band. She also teaches private lessons.

Says Tracie: "Ari has built an incredible community of people who are serious about learning bass and support each other on the journey. It is a collaborative environment where people feel safe and seen. Her teaching focuses on the whole person and is really a philosophy for how to lead your best life. I am forever grateful to be included in this community!"

We are thrilled that Tracie has agreed to teach several classes in our membership. See our schedule to study with her!