My Story

With over 20,000 hours of teaching experience, more than 30 years of guitar playing, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Chicago Music College of Roosevelt University, I bring a wealth of expertise to my students.

I teach a wide range of instruments, including acoustic (6 & 12 string), electric, classical, flamenco, and jazz guitar, as well as ukulele, 5-string bass, and tenor banjo (Irish tuning).

My lessons are tailored specifically to each student’s goals and skills, ensuring they can confidently perform any genre of music in front of any audience.

Throughout my teaching career, I have covered a vast array of musical genres and techniques, both modern and traditional. I believe in embracing all forms of music and encourage students to select songs they enjoy, making lessons more rewarding and engaging.

To build strong musicianship, I provide exercises that enhance core skills, helping students learn new songs more quickly and with greater ease. I am confident that my teaching approach delivers immediate results—students will see progress not only in their first lesson but consistently moving forward.

Music has always played a central role in my life, from singing along to the radio as a child to dancing to records in my room. 

Early on, I realized how deeply music impacted me, and I knew I wanted to share that passion through teaching guitar.

For over 20 years, I have had the privilege of helping students discover their own hidden talents. Watching them grow from beginners to performers playing live shows with professional proficiency is the most rewarding part of my work.

I am committed to teaching students of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs.

I prioritize encouragement, patience, knowledge, and a personal connection with my students. In addition to these qualities, my teaching covers the following concepts:

• Warm-up exercises
• Fundamentals
• Mindfulness techniques
• Note reading, tab reading, and sight reading
• Left-hand and right-hand techniques
• Burst practicing (to prevent burnout)
• Micro movements and economy of motion
• Proper posture (sitting and standing)
• Stage performance skills
• Embellishments and improvisation
• Unorthodox techniques
• Scales, keys, and music theory
• Fretboard mastery
• Chords (all types)
• Songwriting and transcription
• Memorization and self-sufficiency

I strive to create a well-rounded learning experience that empowers each student to achieve their full musical potential.