Guitar Lessons in Surprise, AZ

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

At a very young age I was fascinated with hearing guitar solo's and listening to guitar parts by all the legends. Eventually after working with a classical guitar that my sister had, I purchased a Harmony guitar from a friend of my dad's (John "Hollywood" Bridgewater). Whenever I would meet musicians in school that played we would get together and trade licks. That eventually turned into me teaching all my guitar playing friends licks. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

With young students, I allow myself to be a bit more comprehensive in that I can start from the very basics from the beginning and even come up with simple games with rhythm, basic ear training and reading notation. The big challenge with young players is the actual act of physically playing the guitar and I encourage parents to invest in a quality instrument that is easy to play. I try and get my older children and teenagers to try and play as early as possible to develop a passion for the instrument, but not before building an understanding of the basics. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Synthesizer Ukulele Recorder Euphonium Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

A child will not learn to play an instrument overnight or in one week, the commitment to practice and keeping track of that practice is essential. Nothing helps us learn better than encouragement, even when it sounds bad. Any teacher can tell if a student hasn't practiced or put forth a good effort. Sometimes, you do have to let them know you know, but you try to do so gently. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Mallet Percussion Music Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I'm a passionate and curious musician. I'm self-taught in the styles of classical and jazz from when I picked up the clarinet I found at a Salvation Army at the age of 10. I taught myself until I started college and studied with Kelly Lake, Stephanie Gardner, Jeff Quamo and Cris Inguanti at NAU. While working toward receiving my Masters in Clarinet performance at NAU, I taught music theory and aural perception at the undergraduate level. In addition to teaching I've had two pieces written and recorded for me along with a couple tracks on a comedian's recent albums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Conga Latin Percussion

I write all my own lesson materials focusing on what the student needs to know to play, understand, and enjoy music to achieve their goals. I have used several method books in the past but find them all limited or focused on styles or technique that is not what the student wants or needs to learn. I can teach from any established method if that is preferred, but instead enjoy challenging the student to understand what music is and how music is played on their chosen instrument, not just to read. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Cello Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Double Bass Music Keyboard Djembe

Teaching is a huge responsibilty that I do not take light heartedly. If we as teachers do a suburd job, it will have a huge effect on a students over all life. Musical education teaches us about the mind and body and balance between the two. It teaches us logic, problem solving, and creative thinking in balance with eachother. It teaches us posture, breath, how to think. It teaches us to listen, and to communicate, to engage with others, it teaches us work ethic and how to colloborate with anyone. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin

I began teaching lessons while workibg on my Master's degree. While tutoring a classmate on guitar, I realized that I really enjoyed teaching and decided to pursue more students. My music therapy training gives me a unique approach to education enabling me to tailor all of my students lessons to their personal goals and needs. I enjoy teaching a variety of styles, from classical to contemporary, as well as giving my students performance opportunities to really be able to challenge themselves. Read More