I started taking music very seriously in middle school when I began guitar lessons at a local music shop. I was inspired at the time to learn all of my favorite Beatles songs as well as the punk music I was totally obsessed with. At the time I was fortunate enough to have been learning from a college educated musician Dr. Mark Cook, director of Composition and Music Theory at Shepherd University and Gerry Kunkel, Guitar chair at Maryland University. My passion for music grew exponentially from this point on and I spent the next years playing in as many ensembles as possible in school as well as my own bands with friends, a chance for me to work on my own compositions. As my drive for music increased I began taking lessons for other instruments including piano, trombone, and voice. This constant practice and dedication to the study of theory eventually resulted in my acceptance to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia to study jazz guitar performance.
At UArts my exposure...

I have been teaching music for 16 years. I grew up on the 2nd floor of my father's music store in Central PA and have been around music my whole life. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of the Arts where I studied jazz guitar with Pat Martino, Jimmy Bruno, Steve Giordano, and Tom Giacabetti. I was one of the original teachers during the formative years at the Paul Green School of Rock Music where I later went on to be the Music Director of the Philadelphia and Downingtown Schools. During that time, I helped many students prepare and get accepted to music schools, ran and developed music summer camps, and organized concerts where the students performed the music of Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, and many more of rock's finest band at every major venue in Philadelphia.

I have been active in the local music scene recording and playing sold-out shows at the Khyber, TLA, Trocadero, Johnny Brenda's and World Café Live with such acts as 722, Bebek,...

Andrew is an active musician and professional educator. In 2009, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Pittsburgh. Since then, Andrew has taught guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, drum, and rock/pop ensembles in both school and private settings. In addition, he is passionate about writing, playing, and recording original music. He is the primary songwriter, producer, and co-manager of an original band that regularly performs in venues such as World Cafe Live, Grape Room, Trocadero, etc.

I am 35 years old, and have been a musician for over 25 years. I began, like many, playing in my middle school band. I attended a Performing Arts School throughout my high school years, where I studied Classical and Jazz Guitar, Music Theory, Ear Training, and many other facets of music. I also studied privately with various guitar instructors, most notable Kyle Hildenbrand, a Berklee grad and film scorer for Universal Studios. In college I also took education and psychology classes which have proven very helpful in my approach to teaching.
I have performed in many ensembles and bands, playing both cover songs and writing original music. Blues, country, hard-rock, and even a jazz quartet. Currently I write for and perform in a folk - rock trio.
Playing in so many different circumstances, has been very beneficial working as a teacher. My students are all very different, not only in the way that they learn but also in the style of music they wish to play. I take pride in being...

A professional musician and music instructor for over 30 years, Mike has established himself as not only a world class player but also an excellent teacher of all ages and skill levels. He teaches for several area conservatories and hosts master classes on composition, performance, guitar and bass improvisation. Mike now offers lessons in his professional home studio.