Offers online services
About
Hello! My name is Michael Rawls of Rawls Guitar Instruction. At RGI we offer personalized, in-home, guitar and piano lessons to people of all ages. I have been teaching piano and guitar for nearly 10 years, and I am incredibly passionate about both instruments!
I took piano lessons from a very young age and continued with lessons for 13 years. I also took proper guitar lessons as a child, but much of it was taught to me by my father who was an incredible player. I now perform most weekends at bars, breweries, restaurants, and coffee shops.
I have spent years building a curriculum for both instruments that I am extremely proud of. While I follow the guidelines of classical training for both instruments, I have developed a curriculum that focuses a lot on song-based teaching that tends to motivate students because it makes learning a lot of fun!
Specialties
Musical styles
Rock, Country, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Classical, Recommendations available
Guitar style
Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Ukulele, Banjo, Recommendations available
Has instrument
Student who have a guitar, Student who don't have a guitar, but are planning to purchase one
Years experience
No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience
Able to read music
Students who can read music staff, Students who can read guitar tabs, Students who cannot read music
Lesson length
45 minutes, 60 minutes
Student's age
Under 5 years old, 5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old
Photos and videos
Reviews
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PF
praneet F.
It is with heartfelt enthusiasm that I write this recommendation for Michael Rawls, who has been an extraordinary music teacher for our two boys over the past eight years. Michael’s exceptional talent as a guitarist, pianist, and vocalist, combined with his warm, patient, and inspiring teaching style, has made him an invaluable part of our family’s musical journey.
Michael has guided our boys in both guitar and piano, introducing them to a rich tapestry of music that spans countless genres—from timeless classics that resonate with all ages to his own original compositions, which are every bit as captivating. His ability to blend familiar favorites with fresh, creative material has kept our boys engaged and excited to learn, fostering a deep love for music that will last a lifetime.
What truly sets Michael apart is his adaptability and dedication. He began teaching our boys in person at our home, creating a comfortable and encouraging environment. When he relocated to Chicago, he seamlessly transitioned to weekly online lessons without missing a beat. His commitment to maintaining the same high level of instruction and personal connection, despite the distance, speaks volumes about his professionalism and genuine care for his students.
Michael’s infectious passion for music, coupled with his remarkable skill and unwavering reliability, makes him an outstanding teacher and mentor. We feel incredibly fortunate to have him in our lives and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking a truly exceptional music instructor.
Warmest regards,
Praneet & Pepper Franklin
April 27, 2025
PF
praneet F.
It is with heartfelt enthusiasm that I write this recommendation for Michael Rawls, who has been an extraordinary music teacher for our two boys over the past eight years. Michael’s exceptional talent as a guitarist, pianist, and vocalist, combined with his warm, patient, and inspiring teaching style, has made him an invaluable part of our family’s musical journey.
Michael has guided our boys in both guitar and piano, introducing them to a rich tapestry of music that spans countless genres—from timeless classics that resonate with all ages to his own original compositions, which are every bit as captivating. His ability to blend familiar favorites with fresh, creative material has kept our boys engaged and excited to learn, fostering a deep love for music that will last a lifetime.
What truly sets Michael apart is his adaptability and dedication. He began teaching our boys in person at our home, creating a comfortable and encouraging environment. When he relocated to Chicago, he seamlessly transitioned to weekly online lessons without missing a beat. His commitment to maintaining the same high level of instruction and personal connection, despite the distance, speaks volumes about his professionalism and genuine care for his students.
Michael’s infectious passion for music, coupled with his remarkable skill and unwavering reliability, makes him an outstanding teacher and mentor. We feel incredibly fortunate to have him in our lives and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking a truly exceptional music instructor.
Warmest regards,
Praneet & Pepper Franklin
April 27, 2025
MM
mike M.
As an older student I have really appreciated Michael’s patience with me. He has great attention to detail, and a very calming way about how he teaches.
He is always looking for ways to keep me engaged.
April 23, 2025
SF
Sarah F.
Micheal was my sons piano teacher. He was excellent, teaching in a way that made the lesson fun and kept my sons attention. He was great at learning way to encourage my son. Highly recommend him.
June 05, 2019
PC
Pamela C.
Michael is so patient and creative. He mixes up the activities to keep my daughters attention. I remember being bored with a set piano curriculum as a child. His classes keep her excited and happy to be playing the piano.
May 29, 2019
EA
Elizabeth A.
Mr. Michael teaches my 6 year-old piano lessons each week, and we always look forward to his visit! Not only does he get to know my son on a personal level, but he also caters his lessons to my child’s interests and capabilities. He provides clear instructions of what to practice and is very knowledgeable and understanding about children’s development and behavior - which makes me feel better if my son is feeling extra energetic! We appreciate that he has his own interest in music, as he is a great model for our son in that respect. We are so thankful to have Mr. Michael share his passion for music and teaching kids with our family!
May 21, 2019
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I begin by ensuring the student learns the basic fundamentals and theoretical aspects of their instrument by using songs they are interested in.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
-13 years of classical piano training.
-3 years of blues/jazz guitar lessons
-10 years of teaching experience
-8 years of performing experience
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
45 minutes - $40
1 hour - $50
Lessons weekly. Paid monthly.
How did you get started teaching?
After college I spent time working as a Registered Behavior Tech (1:1 education with children diagnosed with autism). After some time I decided to teach lessons on the side, but fell in love with the work. Being able to put years of learning and practice towards teaching others has been extremely rewarding.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with every type of student you can think of! I have worked with very young children, elderly adults, children with disabilities, father/son pairs, etc.
Each and every student learns differently which is why all of my lesson plans are carefully thought out and personalized.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Recently I played a gig and asked the owner of the business if one of my students could come up and play a song with me. He agreed and my student came up in front of a fairly large crowd and crushed it!
Not only was I proud of how composed he was playing in front of people for the first time, but also I was exceptionally pleased with how hard he has worked in our time together.
Services offered
Guitar
Piano