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....

With over 13 years of experience in teaching, performing and recording music for the guitar, Max Rich has traveled through both the United States as well as Europe astonishing audiences with his concerts both as a soloist as well as a studio musician. After completing a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance at California State University Northridge, Max set his sights on a musical conquest of Europe. Well versed in styles ranging from blues, rock, pop, funk, classical, jazz and many more genres, he has established a reputation throughout as a powerful and creative musician. He has earned numerous awards and certificates for his recordings and competition efforts including a Teachers Appreciation Award while on the guitar faculty at the American International School in Vienna, Austria. In 2008 Max was awarded the highest scores in the Cologne Musikhochschule Guitar Competition, Germany. Shortly after recording a very well received album of instrumental music entitled Hesse...

I began playing guitar by ear around age ten. I learned rock songs from records for a few years, and then I began a more serious study of theory in high school. Over the next several years I alternated between pursuing my music degree and playing in bands all over the midwest. In 2004, I transferred from Indiana University to Sonoma State to focus completely on jazz and finish my degree. I have worked with groups and privately, with all ages and skill levels. I am very flexible with the direction of your study and will help you with whatever aspects of your playing you would like to develop.

My Teaching:
I love to teach music to all ages, and have taught hundreds of students in the last 15 years. What you can expect from me is a clear, patient, and understanding teacher who is able to able to meet you where you are on your musical journey, and assist you to expand your knowledge and mastery of the instrument, usually having a lot of fun along the way. I am very comfortable even with teens who know what they want to learn, as well as absolute beginners and kids who need %100 guidance in there practice. I really enjoy students who come to me with some experience and want to learn songs that they love. I enjoy teaching music theory as well as reading, but do not require it.
I am an expert at teaching classic Rock and funk, Jazz Standards, Blues and Pop. From the Chili Peppers, to George Benson, to Taylor Swift etc....

My education and background:

1)Music composition and technology BA. from UC San Diego.

2)Jazz guitar and music theory credential from the...