2004 - Finalist in Capital University's Conservatory of Music Performance Scholarship Competition.
2005 - Finalist in Capital University's Conservatory of Music Performance Scholarship Competition.
2013 - Nominated for best Alternative Act by the Chicago Independent Music Awards.
Overview:
I'm a veteran guitar instructor and performer who loves sharing my knowledge with my students. I have been teaching and playing professionally for the past 16 years. In 2006, I graduated from Capital University's Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance. I currently teach private guitar lessons from my home studio, sing and play guitar in the Chicago rock band Dead Parade, and also play classical guitar at restaurants, weddings and other special events. I can honestly say that I love teaching just as much if not more than performing.
EXPERIENCE
I began playing the guitar at age 11. I was fortunate enough to learn from one of the best guitar instructors in the state from a very early age. That extremely positive and influential experience was a key factor in my decision to make a living as a teacher. My professional performing and teaching career began at the age of 16. I taught lessons at a few local retail shops in the Dayton, Ohio area for about 3 years before I began working on my degree in guitar performance. After college, I worked as a guitar instructor and lecturer for Capital University's Community Music School under the direction of renowned music educator Dr. Rebbeca Johnson. I also worked for 8 years as a guitar teacher, transcriber, music education consultant, and free-lance writer for a popular subscription guitar website. During this time, I've operated my own private guitar instruction studio while also performing and recording. I love nothing more than seeing my students succeed! Sometimes, they even go on to their own professional music careers!
METHODS USED
Lesson materials are customized based on each student's individual goals. I use a combination of tried and true books along with materials that I have created over my 16 years of teaching. Here is a quick list of some of the books I use: General Guitar Skills - Progressive Guitar Method, A Modern Method for Guitar, Melodic Rhythms for Guitar Jazz Guitar - Jazz Harmony on the Guitar, Approaching the Guitar, Jazz Conception for Guitar, The Brazilian Guitar Book Classical Guitar - Pumping Nylon, 100 Graded Classical Guitar Studies, The Library of Guitar Classics, The Solo Lute Works of J.S. Bach
LESSON STYLE
I tailor each lesson to help each student reach his/her own unique goals. I teach all genres, but tend to focus on fundamental musicianship skills. That way, each student develops a solid foundation that can be applied to any musical situation. Right from the start, the primary goal of lessons is play music and have a good time doing it! I structure my lessons as such; lesson plans are customized for each students so that he/she is able to reach his/her goals in the most fun and efficient manner possible. I prefer not to bombard students with boring drills or technical exercises. Instead, technical practice and other subjects that are often boring are taught within a fun and practical context such as a song or piece. That way, essential skills and knowledge such as technique and music theory are learned in a fun and inspiring way.
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