Guitar Lessons in Lake Forest, CA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been involved in music for most of my life; it is simply who I am. From teaching and composing to arranging and producing, all aspects of this art intrigue me and give me great satisfaction to share with others. I graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2015 with a Bachelor of the Arts in Music Composition and a minor in Management. It has been my pleasure to perform all over the city of Chicago, from the House of Blues and the Bottom Lounge, to Chicago Acoustic Underground and Reggies. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I try to adapt my teaching style to however I see the student (or peer) is most effective in learning. Some people are more chart based, and like the bars written out in time so they can follow it in a more technical manner. Some have a hard time reading music, so they go off of feel. This is more of an intuitive approach to learning. Both are fine for me, but depending on how the student is, one may be better than the other. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music

Emily Retsas is a musician who currently based in Los Angeles. Since 2018 Emily has been playing bass for Phoebe Bridgers as well as having played for artists such as Kim Gordon, Boygenius, Better Oblivion Community Center, Shirley Manson(Garbage), Fiona Apple. Emily recorded bass on the four time Grammy nominated album Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers. In her young career Emily has become a regular on the international festival circuit, playing on huge stages including Glastonbury, Coachella Lollapalooza and Primavera as well as appearances for Saturday Night Live, Ellen, Conan OBrien, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Last Call with Carson Daly, KEXP Radio, Tiny Desk NPR, Google and Spotify. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am new to teaching but I have worked as an organizer and choir leader in my high school and college, giving me the experience I need to have an organized curriculum for new students that is interesting and actually impactful. I aim to teach younger beginner guitarists how to best pick up the instrument and learn by playing the songs that they actually like! Breaking them down so they understand the music, but also feel like they're learning the necessary skills to pick up and play any song they want in the future and perform confidently. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums

Depending on the students' improvement, I work performance with harder songs and books. Reading is also a key aspect on my lessons. I also teach advanced double bass drumming for those who are interested. * For hobby drummers: I don't push that hard on technique and reading, but it's there. Minimal technique is important so you can have fun instead of struggling with the sticks and the kit. Also a song based system. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I also look closely at these aspects with more advanced students. With children, I always discuss lesson plans and teaching methods with the parents prior to any lesson. Once these criteria have been assessed, I will then proceed to my aforementioned method of implementing theory and techniques that will directly aid in the student's achievement of their personal goal. My goal is neither to make an individual into a carbon copy of myself as a musician, or even make them into the best, most competent musician. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My private classes are fun, creative, and highly individualized according to the students abilities, goals and dreams. Students will learn many essential techniques of classical guitar, chords and arpeggios, sight readings, fingerpicking, theory of music and many of their favorite pieces. I also teach my students about the various styles of music, music history, introduce them to famous musicians, composers and performers as well as to help them to develop their own unique style of performance. Read More