I am a Jazz Guitarist / Composer / Arranger / and Band Leader and teacher who has been working in the greater San Francisco Bay area for the past 10 years. Originally from the East Coast and Chicago I arrived in California in 1992. I hold a Master's Degree in music from San Jose State University where I majored in Jazz guitar performance and composition / arranging. I have been passionately teaching guitar for the past 12 years to students of all ages. My goal is to teach you the music YOU want to learn while expanding your musical awareness. I am a patient and understanding teacher who will attempt to inspire students while pushing them to their playing potential. In addition to teaching I lead by example performing regularly in various Jazz ensembles. I have released a CD of original works entitled “Rivers Converge.”

I've been teaching guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, and songwriting for 20 years, both privately, in music stores, and through various schools and adult education. I also perform and record as a singer/songwriter, am working on my 5th CD, and lead music in churches.

I can teach all styles of music, but specialize in acoustic style folk, bluegrass, Irish, and contemporary Christian. Whether you're a first time beginner, more advanced, 8 years old or 80, I'd love to help you out.

I have a very personalized approach to teaching, developing the curriculum tailored to your own musical tastes, abilities, and amount you want to put into it.

I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully being able to help you live out your musical dreams!

Thanks for checking out my page. I have been playing the guitar for over twenty years, and teaching guitar for the past 16. I began my musical journey began when I picked up one of my grandfather's mandolins at the age of three. Soon after, I discovered that my grandfather had a guitar in his garage. I felt naturally drawn to the guitar; as though my hands were meant to play. I taught myself until the age of twelve, when I inquired about formal lessons with a guitar teacher from my church by the name of James Garcia. I have played with a number of groups throughout the bay area, including legendary saxophonist Bob Mintzer. I hold a degree in music and have studied with teachers such as James Garcia, Rich Hawthorne, Mike McKenna, Doctor Paul Setziol, and Ron Dunn. My goal is to ensure that each student leaves every lesson a better guitar player. Whether you have been playing for a while but simply want to improve, or you are an absolute beginner I am the teacher
for you.

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....

Hello! I am a guitarist & clarinetist originally from Washington, D.C. I graduated from Berklee College of Music (Magna Cum Laude) with a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance, where I was a recipient of Berklee's World Scholarship Tour (WST) and the Berklee Achievement-based Scholarship (BAS). I've toured internationally and played at clubs all over the United States. On guitar, my private teachers have included Mick Goodrick, Richie Hart (www.richiehartjazz.com), John Baboian, and Mike Williams (www.bluetempo.com). I have studied jazz improvisation with Hal Crook (www.halcrook.com) and Ed Tomassi. On clarinet, I studied under Kenneth Lee (kennethleeclarinet.com), who was a student of the Juilliard school under Leon Russianoff. I am currently an active performer and educator in the California bay area.

I started playing guitar at age 9, and recorded 2 singles in the LA area by age 14. I was a music major throughout High School and College. I also learned a lot by educating myself at the Brand Library in the Los Angeles Area, which specializes in the arts. I specialized in advanced music theory and and improvisational techniques.

I have played on tour with several professional bands, playing rock, pop, blues & country. I now perform live in various bands and record original music as often as possible.

I have enjoyed teaching music lessons since 1978.

I custom tailor a lesson plan to fit your individual needs and goals! I can teach you songs you'd like to learn instantly when I hear them on your iPod or CD that you bring in. I can explain musical theory and concepts many different ways to make sure you understand them. I am very friendly and patient. Sometimes I might inject humor into the learnig process to make it an enjoyable learning experience, and to...

I have been playing the guitar for 30 years, and to date have recorded and produced 8 cds of my original instrumental music. I have performed in numerous bands over the years, currently I lead a jazz/rock instrumental trio, and play in a Spanish pop/rock/folk band. I also have over 20 years of experience recording and producing music, and am passionate about recording and audio technology.

I picked up my first guitar about 10 years ago and have been studying and playing ever since. Having a strong interest in composing and writing original music I gigged regularly (3-4 shows a month) performing original material in a rock band in the East Bay until I moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music. At Berklee I received rigorous training in traditional and Jazz music theory, Music technology, and guitar performance. Currently residing in the East Bay, I continue to compose, perform, and teach guitar lessons to all ages.

I have been a musician for over 20 years. I have a BA in Music & Sound Recording, and am equally comfortable in the studio as I am on the stage. I currently lead my own band which plays all original music and I have released two CDs of my own music, in addition to playing and recording with many local acts. I also write, record and produce music for TV and movies. Let's just say I wear a lot of hats.

I love music, and surround myself with it at all times. There are very few styles that I don't like or don't listen to, and I try to stay current as much as I can. I play a number of different instruments besides the ones I teach, including harmonica, piano, organ, drums and percussion. I also have been singing for as long as I can remember.

I believe anyone can be musical, even if you don't play an instrument. Music is everywhere, and we all tune into it, whether we know it or not. I hope that we can learn something about music and each other, then trow it all aside and...

"A man with a message that rings out loud and clear…" (Michael Magoski, Artist/Curator- Violethour Art Studio, Fullerton, CA)

Everything I do, I do for music. It has brought me more joy than words can express and taken me places I could have only reached through its pursuit.

Music is more than a backdrop to our lives. It is a language that describes us in ways words cannot. I also believe that music can be understood by anyone who cares to listen. It is as natural, and complex as our own emotions.

I have been writing, performing and teaching music most of my life. I have always had a strong, natural ear which I can only assume comes from my upbringing with music. Both my parents played guitar and wrote songs. Our house was filled with instruments; guitars, keyboards, dulcimers, percussion, and many others. When I was about five years old I went out to our swing-set in the backyard with a roll of kite string and turned a portion of the monkey bars into a pitched...

Cliff started his musical career as a young boy, taking classical piano lessons from the age of 4 until the age of 12. Discouraged by the strict format of his musical education, he picked up the guitar, and vowed never to take another music lesson. However, upon entering college, Cliff enrolled in drum lessons on a whim, and he has never looked back.

After discovering this new found love for music, Cliff earned not only a degree in English, but also a BA in Music from Santa Clara University, with a concentration in both guitar and drums. While this exposed Cliff to a strong classical background that included piano proficiency, conducting, and sight-singing, he also continued to foster a love for rock, funk, blues, and other popular music. As a result, Cliff has given performances in a variety of contexts -- including jazz, classical, and popular music. Cliff currently plays lead guitar in a San Francisco metal band that is recording an EP to be released later this year....