Sones De Mexico Ensemble

I developed a curriculum that includes te following components:

(a) becoming familar with the instrument, how to hold it, how to tune it, how to maintain it, etc.

(b) music theory basics (rules that apply to music in all styles and situations),

(c) left hand skills (except for lefties, this is where you learn to play chords and scales),

(d) right hand skills (this is where you learn to strum and pick),

(e) history and culture (essential stories about the roots and significance of the music we play) and

(f) repertoire (this is what we are here for: to learn to play songs, the more the merrier)

I have a bachelors degree with a double major in Music and Anthropology from Earlham College. I also have a Masters degree in Ethnomusicology from Indiana University. I have been a professional musician and guitar teacher since 1989 and played in bands specializing in Jazz, Blues, Rock, Folk, Reggae, Children's Music and Mexican Folk Music. I worked as a director of outreach programs at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago for 13 years. I have been a full-time musician and Executive Director of Sones de Mexico Ensemble for 24 years. I have recorded six albums with them and been a guest in other commercial recordings. I also have two Grammy Nominations and several other awards. 

30 min lesson $25

60 min lesson $50

weekly group lessons = $175 (12 weeks/60 min each)

Teaching guitar was my first job out of college. I worked hard to get a degree in Anthrolopogy, which I considerd my main career. I also got a second major in music, just because I loved it. Interestingly, while I loved and have applied many things I learned in Anthropology, it was music that ended up putting food on my table. As a musician, I have explored many styles of music and many techniques of guitar playing from around the world. I am versed in several styles and traditions, but currently, I make a living from playing several styles of Mexican folk music on a large collection of folk guitars and basses.

I have worked with children and adults in English and Spanish. I have worked with very talented, self-motivated students who are looking to figure out a few things to take them to the next level. I have also worked with children with ADHD, emotional problems, unconventional learning styles, and other developmental challenges who find that music helps them channel their talents. 

In 2014 my band Sones de Mexico Ensemble celebrated its 20th Annivesary with a free concert at the Pritzker Pavilion in Milennium Park, Chicago.We spent months planning the show, featuring a reunion of present and past members of the band, and guest musicians and dancers who had collaborated with us during our 20 year history. Altogether, we had about 70 artists on stage. The weather was perfect. The word got around through radio, TV and social media, and 10,000 showed up to see the show. It was one of the best concerts I've performed in my life! 

Find joy in playing guitar. It has to be fun, otherwise you should find something else to do. 

What is your dream? What makes you want to play guitar? What would you like be able to play on the guitar that would make your dreams come true?