Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with
our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference
checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's
employment with us.
Background Check Complete
Criminal Background Check
In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough
criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace,
multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.
Levels: Beginner to Advanced
In-Home Lessons: No
In-Studio Lessons: Yes
Ages: 5 & up
Subjects Taught
Guitar
Education
Berklee College of Music - Composition - 1982
Jon Miller School for the Recording Arts & Sciences - Record Production, Sound Re-enforcement - 1981-1982 (Degree received)
Northampton County Area Community College - Liberal Arts, Music Emphasis - 1983-1985; 1990 (Associate degree received)
Specialties
Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method
Lesson Details
Lessons utilize Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method, the world's premier guitar course of instruction. After three months, you should have a good understanding of this basic material necessary to play contemporary guitar, and within six months, elementary harmonies are studied and elaborated upon. As you progress, you will be taken through scale and technical exercises in a careful and challenging manner, yet in a comfortable atmosphere with plenty of encouragement.
Don't be embarrassed of
...
making mistakes; I will celebrate your accomplishments with you as you persevere. I have plenty of patience and supplemental materials to aid you in your progress.
Weekly exercise and song assignments are given to help you develop strong technique and understand essential music theory. The commitment to daily practice and the importance of adequate preparation cannot be exaggerated. At the same time, the freedom of creativity fosters a passion for the guitar and prevents the boredom of solely playing by rote. There is a short path from boredom to quitting. With the guitar being such a powerful art form, you can be assured that with plenty of practice and persistence, you will enjoy a lifetime of musical blessedness!
The guitar has the capacity to energize or to sooth. My desire is to help you encounter and master it's power!
PHILOSOPHY
I enjoy helping my students maximize their potential as musicians. Whether their longing is to simply enjoy guitar as a recreational pastime, or they desire (or have) a career in performance, I endeavor to help my students achieve their personal musical goals. You are encouraged to strive to do your part to the best of your ability: that is, consistent and regular
...
practice. Discipline is vital to progress, and without it, the experience would be shallow and unsatisfying. But with skilled, caring instruction and self-motivation, you will encounter the might of the guitar and the beauty of it! I will be cheering you on and supporting you every step of the way!
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Although I've always been a fan of British invasion, my childhood guitar teacher told me he wasn't going to teach me "any of that rock 'n' roll garbage." He was going to teach me "the right way," and he did. Through traditional drills and repetitions, I didn't learn to play just "songs," but learned to play music. The solid foundational instruction I received enabled me to recognize the difference, and you will too, regardless of your preference in style or genre.
In 1981, I completed the Certificate Program: Record Production, Sound Re-enforcement from Jon Miller School for the Recording Arts & Sciences. In 1982, I studied Musical Composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I gained a wealth of knowledge. In 1990, I earned an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts, Music Emphasis from Northampton County Area Community College in PA. Since 1999, I've been serving as Director of REZ Music Ministry. Additionally, since 2009, I've been serving as Pastor of Worship Arts at The Gospel Chapel. Related strengths include singing, songwriting, recording and producing.
