Since beginning his teaching career in 1974 David has taught 7000 people how to play guitar! Some aspiring only to play at home for fun and others to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.



David F. has also taught advanced guitar and music theory to several professional musicians who already play other instruments fluently including Oscar nominee Scott Rogness, who co-wrote and performed the songs featured in the movie That Thing You Do. Scott had this to say about his study with David:



"I studied with David for about 8 months. Although proficient on keyboards, a singer and songwriter; I had never learned the guitar. I knew a lot about the guitar by osmosis, but technically was green. David let me look at the guitar in a whole new way, using infinite variations on basic chords, showed me how to move and follow vocal melodies and challenged me to SEE what I was playing. All at the speed of thought."



Scott Rogness

Hi there! Here's a little bit about me - I have studied music in Missouri and Texas, and have a Master’s degree in Composition from North Texas State. I lived in Los Angeles for awhile - writing and doing session vocals as well as being a part of the LA Jazz Choir. I performed and recorded with Rosemary Clooney, Steve Allen, Bob Hope and Linda Ronstadt and many others.

Since moving to Nashville, I have continued my career as a singer/songwriter/ pianist and Producer, and have been involved in projects coast to coast! I am so happy to be teaching piano and voice both privately and at the W.O. Smith Music School. I have students of all ages and musical genres and it gives me great pleasure to share my musical experience with my students. Music is the rhythm of my life and I have a blast helping others find their inner musician!

Philosophy

Music is a great way to express yourself – a way to let your own personality come through the music – any music. No matter what style you enjoy, the basics of playing the piano are the same. Once those fundamentals are learned, you will find yourself able to explore any genre you desire. The world of music opens up to you!

Experience/ Education

My experience is as diverse as my musical tastes. I began taking lessons as a teenager and also began taking music courses at my local community college. I learned about theory and composition. I worked as a musician, learning to play on stage, learning to play by ear. All through this I continued to study the piano and my musical tastes grew from rock and pop, to blues and jazz and classical.

As a performer I worked throughout the western United States, playing a wide variety of venues: night clubs, concert halls, college campuses, casinos and everywhere in between. I have done live television and radio...

My two greatest passions in life are music and people. This shines in everything that I do, inside and outside of the creative realm, and makes me an excellent candidate to teach students of all ages. I have a personality and a heart that thrive off of working with others and helping them reach their fullest potential. If I am given the precious opportunity of teaching you or your child, I will go out of my way to help you in any way possible. Along with a teacher, you will gain a friend - someone who sincerely cares about you as a student and as a person. I am loving, trustworthy, extremely outgoing, responsible, professional, and thoroughly knowledgeable in my skill set.

As for my education and experience, my life has revolved around music since the age of five when I went to my very first piano lesson. I took privately for twelve years, playing for several churches and bands along the way. (This left me proficient in classical piano as well as chord charts and lead sheets.)...

Hello, my name is Bryan J. I am a graduate of GIT at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. I was privileged to have studied with the best musicians in the world, some well known and some are not, however, you don't have to be world-famous to be a great musician. I have twenty years of playing, touring, recording, and teaching experience and I have seen how life-changing music can be. I simply use my experience in a practical way to work for my students to achieve their goals and get where they want to go without the pressure or stress of trying to please someone else, including me. This is for you. If you are inspired and love to play, practicing is never an issue. Becoming passionate about your studies is key to your success. That's what I am here to help you with.

Hello! I believe that music is something everyone can do: it can be played alone or in pairs (and trios, quartets,etc). Playing music is extremely rewarding. It's about discovering your potential, and having fun doing it! Having played music for 25 years, and teaching for 12, I have experience as a performer, composer, and producer. I grew up playing cello before switching to guitar, and graduated from New England Conservatory of Music with a BA in jazz performance. Most recently, I moved to Nashville where I am currently training to be a Registered Piano Technician.

I am a Seattle native who is excited to be working and learning down in the south! I have enjoyed all aspects of learning to be a professional singer, whether the skill is music theory, knowing my way around a keyboard, or developing strong stage presence. I hope to share my skills and experiences with you so that you can become the musician you want to be.

Erica makes her home in Nashville after years of performing on the road with cruise ships, theme parks, and a Broadway tour. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's of Music in Commercial Voice from Belmont University and is currently an adjunct professor for the university. Privately, she teaches pop, country, musical theatre, jazz, rock, and folk singing. She also choreographs for several highs schools and children's instruction videos.

Hi, my name is Jake G. My main job as a music instructor is to help you as a student reach your goals and ensure you're having a good time. I believe studying music should be fun and rewarding.

We all play music for different reasons: as a hobby, as something to share with friends, a family tradition or a love of performance. I want to help you achieve whatever your personal goals as a musician are and to help you have fun learning.

In the spring of 2011 I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Popular Music Performance Program at The University of Southern California. I studied classical composition before I switched to Pop Music, and Double Bass before switching to Guitar. I love learning and I love teaching; sharing what I've learned is the most rewarding.

Hello! My name is Justin, a Christian musician that recently moved to the Nashville/Brentwood area from Michigan. I'm a pianist, guitarist and bassist that loves performing, teaching, learning, and above all enjoying life. When I'm not working on music, I'm usually found biking or running through the hills of southern Nashville. I love nature and all of the opportunities that it gives us to explore and learn!

I started my formal music education when I was in the third grade, taking classical piano lessons at my parents’ request. I progressed steadily but never felt truly connected to what I was doing. Two years later, I was introduced to pop piano music through the worship band at my church. I learned to play by ear and read chord charts, taking my abilities far beyond the reach of classical piano. By the time that I reached high school, I was playing piano, guitar and bass as well as singing and acting. By my senior year, music had consumed so much of my time that...