Thanks for checking out my page. I have been playing the guitar for over twenty years, and teaching guitar for the past 16. I began my musical journey began when I picked up one of my grandfather's mandolins at the age of three. Soon after, I discovered that my grandfather had a guitar in his garage. I felt naturally drawn to the guitar; as though my hands were meant to play. I taught myself until the age of twelve, when I inquired about formal lessons with a guitar teacher from my church by the name of James Garcia. I have played with a number of groups throughout the bay area, including legendary saxophonist Bob Mintzer. I hold a degree in music and have studied with teachers such as James Garcia, Rich Hawthorne, Mike McKenna, Doctor Paul Setziol, and Ron Dunn. My goal is to ensure that each student leaves every lesson a better guitar player. Whether you have been playing for a while but simply want to improve, or you are an absolute beginner I am the teacher
for you.

I've been teaching guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, and songwriting for 20 years, both privately, in music stores, and through various schools and adult education. I also perform and record as a singer/songwriter, am working on my 5th CD, and lead music in churches.

I can teach all styles of music, but specialize in acoustic style folk, bluegrass, Irish, and contemporary Christian. Whether you're a first time beginner, more advanced, 8 years old or 80, I'd love to help you out.

I have a very personalized approach to teaching, developing the curriculum tailored to your own musical tastes, abilities, and amount you want to put into it.

I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully being able to help you live out your musical dreams!

I am a Jazz Guitarist / Composer / Arranger / and Band Leader and teacher who has been working in the greater San Francisco Bay area for the past 10 years. Originally from the East Coast and Chicago I arrived in California in 1992. I hold a Master's Degree in music from San Jose State University where I majored in Jazz guitar performance and composition / arranging. I have been passionately teaching guitar for the past 12 years to students of all ages. My goal is to teach you the music YOU want to learn while expanding your musical awareness. I am a patient and understanding teacher who will attempt to inspire students while pushing them to their playing potential. In addition to teaching I lead by example performing regularly in various Jazz ensembles. I have released a CD of original works entitled “Rivers Converge.”

Branden is a highly successful graduate in music with a concentration in composition and jazz performance, completing his degree in only three years. He is a passionate performer as well as a dedicated teacher. He was awarded Cum laude for his great academic achievement. Branden is an accomplished songwriter, composer, musician, and teacher. Originally born in Chicago, Branden is now based in San Jose area, playing random events throughout the South Bay.

Branden has been hired to play local gigs as well as a contract to tour with a jazz band. His experience in teaching guitar for the last three years has ranged from teaching elementary school classes to private lessons. He has shared the stage with Steve Tavlione and Scott Henderson.

I have been playing with classical ensembles and rock bands since 2001. Even though I started on classical trombone and rock guitar, I have come to expand my repertoire to a variety of instruments and genres. During my time in college I performed with the University choir, orchestra, and band. I also have organized, composed and arranged for, and performed with a variety of bands in my home state of New Mexico, as well as Japan and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Since 2006 I have been an active teacher. This profession has taken me everywhere from working with classical guitar classes in New Mexico high schools to Elementary students in Japan to a variety of private students of various musical instruments and genres everywhere I've been. Since settling in the Bay in 2010, I've had the pleasure of working with lots of great students from kids to adults with a wide range of ambitions.

I received my Bachelor of Music Education with Honors from New Mexico State University in 2008....

Hello! I am a guitarist & clarinetist originally from Washington, D.C. I graduated from Berklee College of Music (Magna Cum Laude) with a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance, where I was a recipient of Berklee's World Scholarship Tour (WST) and the Berklee Achievement-based Scholarship (BAS). I've toured internationally and played at clubs all over the United States. On guitar, my private teachers have included Mick Goodrick, Richie Hart (www.richiehartjazz.com), John Baboian, and Mike Williams (www.bluetempo.com). I have studied jazz improvisation with Hal Crook (www.halcrook.com) and Ed Tomassi. On clarinet, I studied under Kenneth Lee (kennethleeclarinet.com), who was a student of the Juilliard school under Leon Russianoff. I am currently an active performer and educator in the California bay area.