Rich has been playing professionally since the age of nine and touring since age 15. Born and raised in Philadelphia area Rich grew up playing with local jazz artists Shirley Scott, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Heath, etc.
While performing with the Joey DeFrancesco trio which included bassist Christian McBride, Rich had the opportunity to perform and tour with Grover Washington Jr., Wynton Marsalis, and Mulgrew Miller.

A scholarship to the University of Miami moved Rich to the talent rich south Florida area where he received a
degree in instrumental performance. While in Miami Rich had the the opportunity to perform and tour with Gloria Estefan, John Secada, Ira Sullivan, Ron Miller Quartet, Bruce Hornsby and Tomasz Stanko Group.

After college Rich settled with his family in Nashville, TN where he created and nurtured a successful playing and teaching career. Some of the artists Rich has toured and or performed with, Lari White, Hank Williams Jr.,
Lila McCann, Pam Tillis, Nitty...

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...

Hello prospective students and parents. My name is Drew and I've been playing guitar for 13 years. I grew up in St. Charles, Illinois which is in the Chicago area. As a young guitarist I took lessons with various local teachers who had formal guitar training. I graduated with a journalism degree from Northern Illinois University, but much of my time in college was spent practicing and learning from as many other guitarists as I could. During college I taught guitar at a family operated teaching studio in South Elgin, Illinois called Music Education Centers of America.
I taught guitar there for five years and had as many as 40 students a week come and take lessons with me. Recently I moved to the Nashville area to play in a band called As Hell Retreats as well as to be a part of a rich community of music. Even though I play metal music and tour the country I have a strong passion for blues, rock and jazz guitar playing. I look forward to giving you the...

My main focus is to show you how to develop your own style of guitar playing. All guitarists have something to say (in playing style). Whether your a beginner or already a player, there is always something new and exciting to learn. I specialize in Blues Rock Lead guitar but would be happy to also teach you acoustic finger picking and Country.

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!

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.

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! 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.

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.

My love of music began early on from the time I was a child. My parents' wide appreciation of different music genres was reflected in all the varied albums which landed on their constantly rotating turntable. It wasn't long before I started taking piano lessons as my first introduction to creating music. By the time I was 15, I realized that I had a greater attraction to the guitar. I then began a journey that has lasted around 22 years to date. Most of my knowledge consists of a combination of self study, college courses and many excellent teachers along the way. I took several courses at San Francisco Community College to become acquainted with music fundamentals, theory and harmony. I was able to study with noted players such as Jim Campilongo (Nora Jones), Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails), Audley Freed (Black Crowes, Dixie Chicks), Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna), Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule, Allman Brothers), Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Levon...

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.