About
My lessons take what the students are passionate about and build a curriculum around it. When students are learning things they're interested in, they actually want to practice and put in the work outside of the lesson. My goal is to make learning guitar, ukulele or piano fun and informative, in a low pressure setting. In addition to private lessons, I seek live performance opportunities for my students to gain experience performing and collaborating with other students.
I enjoy watching students exceed their own expectations about learning a new instrument. I think many students are surprised at how quickly they go from learning two chords to learning full songs. I also like getting exposed to new music I wouldn't have heard if a student hadn't brought it into my studio.
Details
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
Sophia D.
Alex M.
Syed H.
Barry a.
Chris L.
Soledad R.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
In the first lesson I like to see what knowledge the student is coming in with about music and the instrument they're learning. In the instance a student wants to learn guitar we'll go over basics like proper form while holding the instrument, how to hold a pick, proper left/right hand placement, parts of the electric or acoustic guitar depending on which style the student is learning. In the first lesson we'll discuss what your goals are and make a plan that's right for you. I typically recommend beginner students take my 100 song challenge first but I am flexible to each students unique interests. The 100 song challenge is a playlist I have curated over the years that takes a step-by-step approach using popular rock, blues, country, pop, r&b and folk songs from the last 50+ years as the curriculum.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been writing, recording, and performing music for 20 years. I have been teaching all ages for 10 years. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Instrumental Performance with a focus on guitar from Columbia College Chicago. I have pedagogical training which has helped me develop fun and effective curriculum. By planning with the bigger goals in mind, it's easy to set small achievable goals that compound over time.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I schedule and bill for lessons on a monthly basis. For example, in the instance that a month spans 5 weeks, I will send an invoice at the start of the month for all 5 weeks. I invoice through Square but can also take payment through Venmo and check. My current lessons rates are:
30 min // $37
45 min // $52
60 min // $70
In-home travel fees range from $10-20 per lesson based on location.
How did you get started teaching?
Music has been a passion of mine long before I ever played an instrument. My parents always had the radio on in the car and classic rock/country playing around the house when I was a kid. After taking guitar lessons for a few years, I started writing songs and performing live. I decided to go to college for guitar performance and pursue a career in music. When I graduated college, my first guitar teacher offered me a job teaching at his music studio where I had taken lessons as a kid. Over the years, I developed a deeper love for teaching and am determined that anyone can be a great musician, we just need to practice it 5 more times!
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with total beginners from preschool age to retirees. I have worked with a lot of different experience levels but most customers of mine are beginner to intermediate players. I've helped students prepare for college auditions, live performances and recording sessions.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Recently I've been preparing my students for a virtual concert due to COVID. One of my elementary aged students has been working on a guitar solo for his song and it's been really rewarding to watch him grow into a student who is able to improvise his own solos within a two-three month time period.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find an experienced instructor who is very patient. Learning a new instrument takes time and it will take longer if you're with an inexperienced instructor who lacks the patience to let you fail a couple times before helping you.