Rodgers, Dale K

First, listen to what the student wants to learn. Some want "hum & strum" music, while others want a more serious approach toward finger-style jazz or classical guitar or piano. I start with assessing the level of the student, then work from that point forward.

I've been involved with music for my entire life. Piano for 10 years, brass throughout elementary and high school. Acquired a guitar at age five and found what would eventually become a career. I taught guitar and played professionally while in high school and college, then spent 25 years in business to support my family. But each evening I still found time to escape into my music. Nearly thirty years ago, after our last one left home, I quit the business world to pursue my love of music full time.

$30/ half hour - $50/ hour lesson, one or two lessons per week.

A business client of mine was a small music shop owner in Chardon, Ohio. His classical guitar instructor quit to take a university teaching job out of state. What started as 4 students became 8, then 20, then a new career.

Every kind of student imaginable. From 8 to 80 year olds. Kindergarteners to surgeons, grandmothers to mechanics.

A friend of mine is pursuing an advanced degree in violin performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He asked me to compose a violin - guitar duet for his required recitals. The end result was a ten minute long composition called "Eclipse" consisting of six miniatures describing an entire day of a total eclipse. The performance this past January was a complete joy for me, and was well received by the audience.

Find someone who loves music, and loves to pass that along.