Philadelphia Guitar Lessons

About Me

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,...

About Me

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...

About Me

Learning music, especially at a young age, can have a positive impact in life. From simply playing music in the home to performing music for large audiences, the basic goal is the same: the enjoyment of being a proficient musician. I have written a bit about my experience and how I can use this to help you to become a great musician.
I began studying music when I was 8 years old. My early lessons taught me not only about music but about music teaching. As a result of these experiences, I vowed to teach students music that is meaningful to them.
Moving along, in high school I played in rock bands with my friends. I can never stress how important it is to play with other people. I always encourage my students to form bands, join music groups in school, or just find a friend to jam with. Not only does this raise the level of musicality, it is a great motivational tool.
After high school, I studied music at...

About Me

Ian's vast and diverse experience on the Northeast music scene has given him the background that rivals the best of many professional musicians working today. From band tours of the US, Canada, and Hong Kong and a handful of recordings under various acts, Ian remains busy in his home city of Philadelphia. Ian has performed with such acts as Jazz great Grover Washington Jr. to the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra.

Teaching Experience

Ian has taught private lessons in Bass both electric and acoustic, piano, and guitar for the last eight years in which he has also lent his talents to the esteemed Paul Green School of Rock and DayJams Summer Rock School. He is also involved with a number of after-school programs in the Philadelphia area where he teaches private lessons, music theory, and rock ensemble.

Musical Education

Ian's musical training began with piano at 7, saxophone at 9, self-taught guitar at 11, and finally electric and acoustic bass in high...

About Me

I received a Bachelor’s of Music with a concentration in Jazz Guitar Performance from Temple University in 2008. Although my focus was on Jazz, I also play and teach many other styles of music including Rock, Blues, Folk, Classical and Funk. Aside from teaching lessons and performing with various projects along the east coast, I also compose music for films and produce/record other musicians and bands.

Because of my background as a performer, composer, producer and educator, I feel that I have unique qualifications to give the student a well-rounded understanding of not just the guitar, but of music as a whole. By including a balanced mix of technique, performance, composition and theory, I hope to help students reach their full creative potential and to see music as not only a performance art, but as a mode of individual expression.

About Me

My name is Mike W. I'd love to be your guitar or bass teacher! I have been in a successful indie band for almost 10 years. Having made 4 studio albums on Tooth and Nail Records and extensively toured the U.S. and Europe headlining and playing concerts with bands like Weezer, Brand New, Coheed and Cambria, Thursday, Sparta, Dr. Dog, Manchester Orchestra, Say Anything and Blonde Redhead, I have developed my craft. Now, I would like to share what I've learned about playing the guitar and bass through teaching motivated students of all skill levels. Because I have composed recorded and performed music for so long now, and have a bachelors degree in Secondary Education from Temple University, I have a lot to offer you as your teacher.