Rockin' Raccoon Guitar Lessons
About
I'm a passionate guitarist in Chapel Hill, NC. I have over 12 years of serious playing experience and I have performed everything from Broadway ,classical ,and jazz to bluegrass and traditional South American and Spanish styles. I have a deep love for rock and metal too of course. My goal is to help you get whatever music is in your head out through your hands into the world, regardless of what genre of music you have the most interest in. I look forward to exploring the world of guitar with you!
I have performed, written and arranged music for various productions at Kebab theater Company and Company Carolina, as well as various other NC Triangle-based venues.
I enjoy that guitar exists in all sorts of musical contexts, from the experimental to the traditional and everything in between. It's the diversity and depth of styles around the world that fascinates me, and I am proud to have played in a colorful variety of ensembles ranging from pit orchestras to tango and bluegrass bands, and countless other styles from different cultures and times in history.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I take a relationship-first approach to teaching so each student comes into a space they are comfortable in. In our first few conversations, I aim to find where my student's interest in the instrument came from, like when their "whoa that sounds awesome! " Moments were that made them want to pick up a guitar. For some it was a metal player shredding a lightning-fast solo and for others it was a singer's delicate finger picking. I want to come away from our first meeting with a bit of understanding about why music is special or motivating to that particular student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I studied jazz guitar at UNC and I have been lucky to work closely with faculty there in and outside the classroom. I speak English and Spanish and have done my best to stay connected to musical resources and experts from Spain and South America in my practice and travel.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I budget for a $50 hourly rate. My suggestion for newcomers is a 45 or 30 minute lesson. Once we have an idea of what your goals are, I am glad to offer bundle discounts for those interested in a monthly rate.
How did you get started teaching?
I come from a large international family and music was always my way of connecting with both the generations way older than me and the younger ones. I started offering casual lessons while I was living in a UNC dorm and have kept up with various levels of students since.
What types of students have you worked with?
For the most part my students have been teenagers and young adults- I must admit i don't have much experience with younger children. Most of my students have been interested in rock, pop or metal primarily however I pride myself in fluency for all sorts of styles. The last thing I want is for a student to think "I have to stick to a certain genre because that's what I'm 'supposed' to learn". I want to help you play what YOU enjoy!
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I played bass in a newly composed orchestral suite called SHELTER as a guest with the Raleigh based chamber orchestra Earspace. This music really resonated with me although it was physically exhausting to play. The raw feeling of cutting through the blend of cellos and woodwinds with an electric instrument is unforgettable.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Listening is half of playing your instrument. So when you pop your headphones on or drive around, try and really focus on what the guitar player is doing within the band and how that part relates to the drums and other instruments. Don't treat it like a checklist or anything, just try and be mindful of things like how loud or quiet they choose to play and what seems interesting rhythmically to you. The more you pay attention to this kind of stuff, the more we have to nerd out over when we talk :)