Music Lessons in Austin, TX

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My aunt was a gifted piano player before she had to give it up to become a nun (it was a different time, she's over 90 years old now!!). Several of my cousins were punk rockers and new wavers back in the 80s. I remember being highly inspired by the fact they had their own cassette tape of their music.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
There were several defining moments along the way. I took nothing but music classes my senior year of college and I realized my music professor (who was an incredibly helpful and supportive man) was just that: an ordinary man who decided to follow his passion and make a living at it. If he could do it, why not me? I went into music retail and was constantly getting requests for lessons which I turned down because "I'm not a teacher". One day I thought to myself "maybe I am a teacher and maybe I should find out" and the rest is history. Then after a year I realized I was a good teacher with something to offer that could help people do what they love while I also do what I love. That led me to quit music retail and become a full time professional musician!! I've been extremely fortunate and blessed to have been able to help so many people achieve their musical aspirations!!

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
Minor in Music mostly because I realized I wanted to be a musician a little late in the game after I had already completed my actual major. Spent my senior year taking nothing but music classes!!

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Working with Rescue Dogs is my other job and I love being able to take care of dogs that have been abandoned out on the streets.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
This very much depends on what day it is lol! I love so many different styles and genres that it is tough to choose between them. Generally I try to spend a day working on one specific thing I'm interested whether that be country fingerstyle banjo rolls , classical guitar technique, rock guitar licks, blues bending, "shredding", etc!! I like to do it all!!

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Again this depends on the style. A lot of work goes into making sure notes all run smoothly together and position shifts are seamless in all styles however. When I get the time I love nothing better than spending hours improving and refining my technique, knowledge base, and general proficiency on the instrument. This might involve working on particular parts or phrases within the piece, studying educational materials, improvisation, or just noodling around for fun!!

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
Each student gets an individual personalized lesson plan to help them achieve their goals in the minimum amount of time. If students want to use a specific book as well for supplemental materials that is no problem to integrate into the lesson plan.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
This very much depends on the style as bending to pitch and then using vibrato on the bent note is very hard in blues or rock styles but sweep arpeggios are hard as a "shred" player. Playing classical pieces can be quite challenging as well. The great thing about the guitar is you can choose what style and level you want to play on and there is always a new peak or challenge to master!!

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Helping thousands of students over nearly three decades of musical education. I am truly honored to have been able to help so many people achieve their goals and become proficient on the instrument,

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
One of my earliest students went on to study Classical Guitar at university with noted Classical Guitarist Christopher Parkening and is now a music professor at a major American university.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I picked up the Bass guitar due to its similarity to the guitar and because people at the music store wanted me to demo the bass for them or give them bass lessons so I figured I better know what I was doing!!

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