Meet Your Instructor
About Me
I am a northwest native and the youngest child of two elementary school teachers. Nothing makes me happier than combining my love of music with my inborn passion for teaching! I've been playing, writing, and performing music since I was 10 years old and I strongly believe that music enriches every life it touches.
Philosophy
When I was a kid, I would race home from school every single day, run into my bedroom, close the blinds, shut off the light, power up my lava lamp, switch on the black light, load Jimi Hendrix's "Are Your Experienced" into my CD player, and serenade my whole house, and my whole neighborhood for that matter, with the screeching primitive, distorted, animalistic howls that emanated from my axe.
I say this because having fun is crucial to success. I took piano lessons as a kid, got bored, and quit. I provide every student with the tools they need to succeed while making sure they're having a blast playing the songs they want to play. Lessons have been known to get a little rowdy and it is not uncommon for me to discuss Pete Townsend's windmill technique or Chuck Berry's duck walk....
I believe that it is vital to include the essential fundamentals of music theory, proper technique, ear training, and improvisation with every lesson. Even though I started out as a self-taught rocker, my degree in music taught me invaluable skills that I use every day as a teacher and a performer.
One of my main goals as a teacher is to help my students develop a passion for playing guitar, heck, a genuine love for the instrument. I love music. I love playing guitar. For me, it doesn't get much better than strapping it on, plugging it in, and rattling the foundation with an epic 'A' chord. It's my love for the guitar that keeps me playing everday. Because if you're not having fun, what's the point?
Education
•Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance, Central Washington University, 2006
•Advanced studies in Guitar Pedagogy, Music Theory, Composition, Counterpoint, Analytical Techniques, Music History
Experience
• Over 15 years teaching experience
• Instructor, New York City Guitar School
• Instructor, 4/4 School of Music
• National/International Touring Artist The Fab Four, Beatles for Sale, Space Oddity: David Brighton’s Tribute to David Bowie, Shelby Earl
• Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter for Seattle band, A View of Earth from the Moon.
• Multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/composer