Spencer Foster is a musician from Dallas, TX, currently based in Austin. He has years of performing and teaching experience with over 40 private students of all ages that he has helped take their musicianship to the next level. While at the University of Texas he studied music with professors Jeff Hellmer, Sean Giddings, and Joel Guzman and graduated with a degree in Spanish and Portuguese languages. He has led bands and performed as a sideman at local venues such as The Elephant Room, Monks Jazz Club, Skylark, and Vice Versa Coffee and Records. Before entering college, he earned the piano chair in the TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble II, won 5th place in the Texas State Keyboard Percussion Solo Competition (marimba), and was named a national finalist in the Essentially Ellington competition with his high school big band and travelled to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC. Spencer has shared the stage with nationally recognized musicians such as Tom Brechtlein (drums with Chick Corea), Brad Houser (bass with New Bohemians), and Joe Morales. Outside of his music career, Spencer remains busy in the Austin area by working part-time at a local shelter for refugees and asylum-seekers.

Having learned a variety of instruments at different stages of life (piano starting at age 5, drums and guitar as an adolescent, and button accordion as an adult), Spencer knows first-hand what it takes to learn a new skill at any age. 

“I believe that positivity is the best motivator for excellence. In my lessons, I emphasize that music practice should be a source of joy, not stress. This perspective comes from my ongoing work with refugees and asylum seekers which serves as a constant reminder of how fortunate I am to be able to make music on a daily basis. My goal as a teacher is to build a foundation of instrumental technique to encourage independent growth and to foster a love for the arts and a creative curiosity that will last a lifetime.”