About lessons

I believe teaching is a partnership between the teacher and the student. I am a friendly, laid-back person, I’m very patient, and I’m 100% there for my students, so you or your child can enjoy a comfortable, welcoming learning environment. To make great music, all I ask in return is an open attitude and a commitment to appropriate amounts of regular practice. With those things, almost anything is possible!

My teaching philosophy is totally centered around your individual needs. I understand that people approach the study of music at various ages, with different abilities, goals, and desires. I see my role as a teacher as one where I use my knowledge and experience to help you along your path. Once we establish your goals, then I can teach you what you need to know to get there.

No matter what your musical dreams entail, you will need a solid technical foundation to build upon, as well as a musical ear to help you create and collaborate. I specialize in helping students learn and improve upon both of these skills. If you are just starting out, my goal is to get you playing REAL music as soon as possible. You’ll be amazed by what you can play after just a few lessons! For intermediate students, depending on your goals, we might study chords and theory, ear training to hear song structure and chords, fretting technique and scales, different types of right hand sound production, different genres of music, or many other topics.

It’s even more important to me that our study builds your confidence, opens you up to the vast world of music, and teaches you about yourself. This personal growth, attained with consistent time and effort, is the most meaningful aspect of musical study. Helping students like you along that path is my favorite thing about teaching!

*** Specialties ***
I have an uncommonly wide breadth of experience in many genres of music. I studied both classical and jazz music intensively at the conservatory level, and have a lot of rock band experience from various projects in high school and college. I've played just about every other style at some point, from bluegrass to R&B.