Your Personal Guitar Trainer
About
Customized workouts to increase your ability to play the guitar. Students address technical, musical and emotional content as well as reading and improvisation.
30 years of experience with The National Guitar Workshop, Colorado School of Music, Performing Arts Lab of Mission Viejo, and Lifetime Music Academy. Lessons and clinics at Jim’s Music Center (CA), Griggs Music (IA), Prosound (CO), and Danny Ray’s Music (TX)
BA in Music Performance (Contemporary Guitar & Voice)
USC Thornton Graduate Candidate (suspended studies)
I love when a student plays a piece of music that he/she previously thought was impossible!
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Students usually have a goal in mind when they begin playing/singing. My job is to see that they attain that goal in the most fun and enjoyable way possible. Along the way, the student will learn valuable information that pertains to any musical situation. I will introduce a tool, the student will practice the tool, then we will apply the tool in a way that moves the student closer to their goal. Melodic material, harmonic material, rhythmic material, reading music, improvising, writing, transcribing music are all areas that tools will come from to help the student become the musician they want to become.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Currently certifying as a music teacher in the state of Texas for work in public schools.
Taught as an IMIP (Individual Music Instruction Program) teacher from 2014.
Round Rock ISD music specialist substitute teacher from 2014
Was a faculty member with the National Guitar Workshop from 1992-1995.
Taught and wrote the curriculum for guitar classes and ensembles at The Performing Arts Lab in Mission Viejo, CA from 1997-2000
Taught and wrote curriculum for guitar (lessons,classes), Ensembles, percussion, and style studies (Jazz, Blues, Rock and Latin) at Lifetime Music Academy in Aliso Viejo, CA from 2002-05
Masters candidate at USC's Thornton School of Music for studio guitar. 1996
Private and class guitar instructor at Colorado School of Music (now Denver Guitar Institute) 1992-95
BA degree in music performance (voice, contemporary guitar) Quincy University 1992
Studied pedegogy with Jody Fisher @ THe National Guitar Workshop 1990-95
Private guitar and voice instructor since 1988.
Davenport IA, Quincy IL. Denver CO, Orange County/LA CA, Austin/Round Rock/Pflugerville TX
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Market rates fluctuate depending on the state, but here in TX everyone seems to be at $25/half0hour lesson. $40/hour. If travel to the student is involved, $30 and $45.
How did you get started teaching?
I got started teaching as a sophomore in college. My contemporary guitar instructor decided to move to LA to "make it" as a rock star! Hey, it was 1988...we all dreamed of doing this!
He told me that he was leaving, and that I was his best student and so all of his students (30+) would now be mine!!!