My Story:

As a guitarist in my early years I spent much time reworking my technique and gaining insight in how guitar playing really works. My early struggles gave way to a solid knowledge of the guitar and music.

This was gained through no small part through my High School music teacher, through master classes of Manuel Lopez Ramos and Abel Carlevaro and others.

These master classes helped me in a big way to develop teaching systems and principles that can help anyone to learn guitar easier and more effectively.

You will gain from the knowledge of these world class guitarists and teachers which will help you to play better and more musical.

And from my musical background-of playing hundreds of songs and compositions of many styles and understanding of musical structure.

Teaching philosophy

I will give you simple technical training to help the hands work...

I have seven years teaching experience. Of those seven, five of them have been in music stores wherein I taught students of all ages, musical interests and skill levels. My students have gone on to form rock bands of their own, compete in singer/songwriter contests and pick up other musical instruments all because of the musical interest/passion I have helped develop.

I am currently very involved in the local music scene. I am co-writing and co-producing a singer songwriter's debut album in Milwaukee and am producing my band's debut album. I have a modest, but very high quality studio setup and a lot of versatile gear to help me get the job done.

I taught at Richardson's Music Center for one year in 2004-2005. I then, taught at Music and Arts Center for four years after that in Tucson, Arizona. I began solely teaching privately to select students since 2009. I am now looking to expand my lesson roster with a more musical diverse student base.

Music can be as simple or as intricate as you want to make it. I will to teach you how to make the most of whatever knowledge and skill you have and to have fun while you do it. My tastes are all across the board, rock and roll, country, metal, opera, I love it all. So, let me know what you are into and we can go from there.
I started playing guitar about 20 years ago and have fronted several bands that have played all over Chicago and beyond. Although I have studied ethnomusicology, theory, and composition in college, I owe my greatest debt to the Chicago musicians who inspired and later taught me. I began my private studies in flamenco guitar with Tomas de Utrera, Kelan Phil Cohran voice and theory, Hamid Drake instructed me on hand drumming, and from Rockin' Johnny Burgin I learned about the soul of blues guitar. Music is my first love, and continues to be an endless fascination for me.

I’ve been teaching professionally to all ages and levels for over 10 years throughout the Chicagoland area. I have been playing for about 19 years. Music is my passion. I even own and run an all ages music venue. Teaching is my biggest love and I love seeing students learn! There isn’t a style I will not teach. All music to me is fascinating:)

Early Guitar Studies & Pit Orchestra Performances (1995-2002)

I began taking guitar lessons at the age of 11 with blues/jazz guitarist Tom Castonzo, a frequent performer, bandleader and teacher in and around the Chicago area. My studies with Tom lasted for many years and covered various musical and technical aspects of many different styles ranging from jazz to classical and everything in between. In 2002, I began performing in pit orchestras for various musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserable, The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors, and Seussical the Musical.

Original Music Projects (2003-Present)

From 2003-2008, I wrote and performed music for 2 different progressive rock bands: Dream Haven and The Unit Theory. Dream Haven released the EP entitled “Nostalgia is Five Frame” and The Unit Theory released a full-length album entitled “Seed.” Both bands performed all over the greater Chicago-land area and helped me hone my skills as an electric...

I have been teaching music for the past 20 years, I offer guitar, bass, piano and voice lessons. I am a professional musician who performs live on a regular basis under the stage name of Pistol Pete. I have toured in Japan, Poland and Italy. Music is more than a hobby. For me, it is my passion. I have had three students that continued their studies at Berklee College after taking lessons from me. Whether you are a beginning musician or in an advanced stage of learning, I can customize a lesson plan that will meet your needs. Music should always be a joyful experience, whether you are listening to it or learning to play it. I have won many guitar competitions including a Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Competition sponsored by the Jimi Hendrix Foundation, Chicago Guitar Slinger competition, and an International Blues competition. I am blessed to be able to do what I love, every day.