About
I love to help people discover their abilities and see them thrive at the chance to make music and tap into that part of themselves.
I work well with all ages and feel like the it's my job to teach music in a way that makes the student inspired and want to practice while building technique and skills to get better. I customize my lesson plans for every student and do not force anyone into a particular method before I learn about their musical interests and goals. The guitar is played and learned in many ways, so I too must use different methods depending on the student's goals.
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
David W.
Chrystal W.
Beverly W.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Get to know them and their musical preferences. Build a relationship by asking questions and learning what skills they already have and make the student aware of my expectations for them and ask what they expect to get out of the music lessons.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Bachelor in Musical Studies & Guitar, Crane School of Music, NY.
Published BMI Songwriter
20 years experiece as a teacher, session musician and performer.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$45/hr in my home or virtual
$50-55/hr in your home depending on location
30 and 45 min lessons available. $30 & $40 per lesson
Group lessons available.
How did you get started teaching?
My first professional job was overseas teaching in the West Indies, island of St. Lucia, as the director of the guitar department for the St. Lucia School of Music. I held the post for 4 years.
What types of students have you worked with?
All ages, from young children to retired adults who wish to take on new challenges - Beginner level to advanced music theory, rock and roll blazing guitar solos, classical techniques or folk, blues, bluegrass and country.
I live to play guitar and to share that with my students and friends.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I have been co-hosting open mics with another talented musician I play with. I have had the opportunity to invite my students up to play and perform as they prepare for thier first gigs. Seeing that growth and watching the reaction to the music they make has been a very rewarding experience for me.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Take time to talk to the tutor personally, hopefully you'll have a chance to talk about musical tastes and what you like or what made you decide to take up the instrument. That will give you a good feel for their teaching style.
Be open minded, unafraid to feel a little foolish or goofy at times, because it is a new and physical thing we are trying to do with muscles that don't know that yet :)
And allow the teacher you choose a little time to learn about you and what you like.
Don't hold back any questions or feeling you have about the process. The more information I get from a student the better I can help them and the more I can cater my lessons to what makes them tick.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Talk about musical tastes and what you like or what made you decide to take up the instrument.
Consider your long term and short term goals.
Understand the time commitment you need to give outside of the lessons to get the full value of the teachers knowledge and be reasonable with your expectations according to how much you put into it.
ie; I do have some students (these ones are mostly rock orientated) that simply just want me to come over and jam with them to help them clean up the skills they have, teach some tricks and techniques, and are not fully invested in a practice routine. It's ok...it's guitar...we can work with that if we are all on the same page.
But, if you'd like to go to the top of the mountain and learn it conservatory style, or all avenues in between - I'm up for it. Let's find what woprks and get you playing!