I began taking piano lessons when I was six years old, but switched to guitar lessons at age ten. Ever since then, my passion has been playing guitar and songwriting. I am a music composition honors major at UCSD.
Whether you want to learn to be a guitar virtuoso or you just want to be able to play some songs for your friends and family, I want to provide you with the best information and tools to help you accomplish your goals. I believe in trying to get the most out of the minimum - I want you to get the most benefit out of the time you spend, regardless if you are practicing for thirty minutes or for eight hours.
My background focuses mostly on classical, rock/metal, and jazz, and my specialty is the electric guitar. I can also help you learn classical guitar on a nylon string guitar if you prefer, including some flamenco.

I studied Jazz Guitar with Peter Sprague and then went on to study the classical guitar with Celin Romero. Later on, while I attended UCSD I studied with Pepe Romero in master classes. In 1982 I became interested in classic rock and founded my band, The Mar Dels. We still play all over the world for private and public events. During my time with The Mar Dels I have learned and performed many of the classic rock hits.

Music has always been my passion. From a young age I began developing myself as a musician and guitarist. The early years of my guitar playing were based primarily upon improvisation and playing by ear in bands. It wasn't until college that I began to study classical guitar and receive formal training. I hold my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Composition from the University of California, San Diego. I have been teaching private lessons for 7 years and absolutely love it! There is nothing more satisfying than watching a student progress from knowing little to nothing about music to transforming into a fine musician and performer. I live in Scripps Ranch with my wife and newborn daughter.

I have been teaching in public schools for more than 15 years and have played for award winning bands. With me you will sound great on the guitar in a short period of time even if you are a beginner. You will learn everything from simple chords and strumming to screaming leads.

Francesca has over 20 years of experience polishing her guitar talents. While working towards her BA in Music Education and English, she carried a full teaching roster with over 30 students and still managed a 4.0 GPA from Cal State University at Los Angeles. Francesca's musical dexterity has taken her touring in four continents and has allowed her to perform with some of the most prestigious artists in the industry, including the Donald Briniger Singers, her own pop/rock bands Minor Setback and Franki and the Ntelegents, and even playing the banjo in The Three Penny Opera.

Francesca started teaching music at the early age of 16 with great success. She was on the faculty at California Music Academy, Cornelia Connelly High School, Pasadena Saturday Music Conservatory, and Sawday and Holmes Music and she has taught classrooms of up to 70 choir students. Francesca has high expectations and is skilled in helping her students reach their goals. With a constant effort to maintain...

I grew up in a small town in Northern CA. I started playing guitar at seven and am still just as passionate about it. I also compose music and have been in a few bands. I have been playing guitar for 14 years (teaching for 5) I have a commercial music diploma in performance and education. I started talking lessons young and kept it up all throughout high school. I know proper technique with classical, some flamenco, jazz, rock, blues, country, pop, metal, and experimental type music. Teach everything from basic theory to advanced theory.

I have been teaching and performing in the San Diego area for many years and have used that experience to develop lessons for any level of player. My program emphasizes all around musicianship in addition to technical ability. Being a musician is more than simply learning repertoire. I help my students get the skills needed to be capable, independent performers. While studying at UCSD, I was awarded double honors for my work in Guitar Performance and Composition. In 2010, I was given awards for "Most Outstanding Graduating Senior" and "Outstanding Classical Music Performance". In January of this year, my latest ensemble piece "Bell Music" was given its premiere in Zurich, Switzerland by Ensemble TaG.

Over the course of my musical career I have had the opportunity to learn from many musicians. From University Professors to Street Corner Musicians, I have gathered much knowledge on how to play music. Applying that knowledge to my guitar playing has opened up many doors of opportunity and has made my life very interesting. One of my talents is to take complicated ideas and convey them in easy to understand ideas for my students. I now wish to share all my knowledge and experiences with you to enjoy a life of music.
Students of mine have been able to create their own music to record and perform. Ensembles that I have directed have performed at many local venues. I have also invited students to join me at my performances to help them become more confident in their playing.

I have been teaching guitar professionally since 2001and performing professionally since 1994.