Kent Coleman, dedicated Bothell violin teacher, dies at 51

Kent Coleman, one of the state's most highly regarded violin teachers, was teaching one of his young students when he collapsed Monday. Mr. Coleman, of Bothell, died of pneumonia early Tuesday at Overlake Hospital Medical Center. He was 51.

Awarded Washington state's "Outstanding Studio Teacher of the Year" in 2000 by the American String Teachers Association, Mr. Coleman was widely beloved by his peers and his students.

The students' success speaks to Mr. Coleman's success as a teacher: They regularly won solo competitions at national, regional, state and local levels; appeared as concertmasters and principal players of youth symphonies and honors orchestras; and went on to major summer music festivals and top colleges and conservatories.

"There are some fine violin teachers in this region," said Dee Wells of the Academy of Music Northwest, where Mr. Coleman was string-department chair, "but none who have Kent's superb background, including chamber music performance, and who have elected to totally dedicate themselves to studio work teaching mostly pre-college violinists and violists."

Wells' comments via e-mail continued: "His students have consistently won most of the major competitions in this region, and some have won nationally and internationally — all the while being healthy and caring young people who also took top honors in academic studies. His high standards along with a warm, encouraging, supportive teaching style produced amazing results in very young performers."

Mr. Coleman also was chairman of strings and chamber music for the Washington State Music Teachers Association, as well as a member of the music advisory panel for the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival.

Mr. Coleman had earned a bachelor of arts degree from Rice University's Shepherd School of Music.

Upon hearing of his death, other musicians accorded Mr. Coleman their deep respect. Simon James, second assistant concertmaster in the Seattle Symphony, said many Symphony colleagues chose Mr. Coleman to teach their children.

"He was a caring human being and an inspired pedagogue whose passing is a blow to the entire musical community," James said. "We have lost one of the good guys in the business."

Karen Iglitzin, a nationally renowned Seattle teacher of chamber music and strings, called Mr. Coleman a "beloved teacher," and his death "a huge loss."

Mr. Coleman is survived by his wife, Jan, also a violin teacher, and by twin sons Christopher and Matthew, who will be seniors in high school in the fall.

Bellevue's Academy of Music Northwest is establishing a Kent Coleman Violin Scholarship Fund in his honor. Details of a benefit concert will be announced at a later date. Services will be Sunday in Bellevue, with details to be announced.

Melinda Bargreen: mbargreen@seattletimes.com