Steve Savas - Universal Rock School

Meet Steve Savas

Music has been the driving force in my life for as long as I can remember. I'm the founder of Universal Rock School, where I've spent over 20 years helping students of all ages discover the confidence and joy that comes from learning music.

I spent 12 years touring as the guitarist for Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, performing on stages across the country and sharing bills with nationally recognized artists. Those experiences gave me invaluable real-world knowledge—not just about playing guitar, but about songwriting, rehearsing, recording, performing, and what it takes to grow as a musician. Today, I bring those experiences into every lesson I teach.

Here are a few things that make my teaching approach different:

1. I know how to connect with students.

Whether I'm teaching a five-year-old their first chord or helping an experienced player break through a plateau, I focus on making lessons engaging, encouraging, and fun. When students enjoy learning, they stay motivated—and that's when real progress happens.

2. I teach from real-world experience.

I've spent years performing, recording, rehearsing, writing music, and touring professionally. My lessons go beyond scales and exercises. I teach the skills that actually make you a better musician, whether your goal is to play at home, join a band, write songs, record music, or perform live.

3. Every lesson has a purpose.

I believe in honest, constructive feedback. I'll celebrate your successes while showing you exactly what needs work and, more importantly, how to improve. Every lesson is designed to move you one step closer to your goals.

4. Your goals become the lesson plan.

No two students are the same. Some want to learn their favorite songs, others want to master music theory, improvise, shred, write original music, or prepare for live performances. Together, we'll build a lesson plan that's tailored specifically to what you want to accomplish.

Why I Love Teaching

Founding Universal Rock School allowed me to combine two of my greatest passions: performing and teaching. Over the years, I've had the privilege of watching thousands of students grow—not just as musicians, but as confident individuals. Seeing a student learn their first song, join their first band, step onto a stage, or write their own music is every bit as rewarding as performing myself.