About
Jonathan is a guitarist and pianist based in San Francisco originally hailing from the East Coast. He has a Master’s Degree in Guitar Studies from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he studied with Dr. David Tanenbaum. Along the way, he has taken part in lessons and Master Classes with notable performers and composers such as Sergio Assad, Thomas Viloteau, and Jason Vieaux.
Jonathan has been teaching guitar for over 5 years and his goal is to cultivate his students’ love for the arts and for life. Jonathan uses observations of what inspires his students to develop lesson plans that encourage enthusiasm for their art form, discipline in their study, and confident freedom of expression in their performance.
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
Marcell
Saulo Q.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I ask the student some questions about what they are interested in, get an idea of their current ability level, and form an individualized lesson plan to help them get where they want to go!
With a student just starting their journey with the guitar I usually start with an introduction to the anatomy of the guitar, then work on proper posture, move to how to hold it, and then begin with right hand technique before adding the left.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I took lessons in Jazz Guitar for 8 years with Belleville, NJ based teacher, Sandy Renda.
I have a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania where I dual-tracked in Music Education and Guitar Performance where I studied with Dr. Matthew Slotkin focusing on Classical Guitar.
I am currently finishing a Master's in Guitar Studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and am set to graduate this May. My studio professor here is Maestro David Tanenbaum. I have studied a wide array of genres and techniques here, acquiring a repertoire that encompasses music across the 500 year history of the music for the instrument.
Along the way I have participated in auxiliary lessons and masterclasses with other notable performers and composers such as Sergio Assad, Thomas Viloteau, and Jason Vieaux.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
30-minute Trial Lesson: Free
Once Weekly 60-minute Lessons: $250/month
Once Weekly 30-minute Lessons: $140/month
Individual 60-minute Lesson: $70
Individual 30-minute Lesson: $35
How did you get started teaching?
I have been playing guitar most of my life and have wanted to teach from a very young age. My career is the realization of a childhood dream. I originally started teaching during my undergraduate in music education. Friends and friends of friends became students. Since then my credentials have grown with my student base. I started teaching seriously in 2018 so I have been teaching professionally for about 5 years now.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with children as early as 4 years old and adults around 70 years of age. My students come from a wide array of age, ethnicities, gender, and income levels.
I have had many students come to me with interest in a wide variety of genres as well.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I focused a lot on technique and reading with a student for a while, they have been expressing interest in music involving jazz chords and techniques for a bit so recently I switched the focus of our lessons to involve Jazz Standards and Improvisation to great effect. The student seems very interested and involved and it's been fun.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
First: See if they're a good player. See if you can find any videos online of them playing.
Second: Check their credentials.
Third: Have a lesson to see if you work well with their teaching style. Ask questions and make sure they are able to get you where you want to go.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Am I willing to practice? Practice is essential toward growth with the instrument. Teachers are guides, but you have to do the work!
What do you want out of my guitar lessons? Are you playing just for yourself? Do you want to perform in coffee shops or a bar? What kind of music are you interested in playing?
The clearer a vision you have of what you want to do the better I will be able to assist you in getting to it.