I have been playing guitar since August 1992. I cut my teeth on the alternative music that was popular at the time (Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Nirvana) but soon began to focus on earlier movements, specifically the playing styles and mindsets of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton. I formed a band in 1996 and began gigging in Austin and throughout Texas. During this time, I immersed myself in jazz and did everything I could to bring the sonic palettes of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis into my playing, even taking up saxophone and piano in order to better understand what they were doing.

I eventually moved back to my home town of Lubbock, where I graduated from Texas Tech University with a BA in English with a minor in Music, having played guitar and saxophone in the Jazz Band in addition to taking several classes in theory. During this time, I was giving private lessons in Lubbock and setting up arts education programs at the Lubbock Boys &...

I'm a certified elementary educator and professional musician with decades of experience and a tremendous passion for music. I moved 2,000 miles from my home in Boise, ID to be part of the thriving music community of Austin TX. Along the way I've played with such legends as the Flatlanders, Charlie Robison, Alejandro Escovedo, Chuck Prophet, Kelly Willis, Jimmy LaFave and many others. I've toured all over the world as a member of major-label acts and as a solo artist. I've produced albums for several recording artists and have had my own songs recorded and released numerous times.

What all this translates to is that I have a lifetime of experience in the music world that I'd love to share with those interested in learning more. My specialties include teaching music theory, working with groups, exploring songwriting, intermediate and advanced guitar study, and working with youngsters. Deeper exploration into music history as it applies to the lessons and the more detailed...

gfire has been teaching music full-time for over 16 years. Based in Austin, Texas, the "Live Music Capital of the World," she offers voice, piano, songwriting and DJ'ing lessons to students from 5-105 and she specializes in sculpting her lessons to the strengths and desires of each individual student. Her students range from beginning to advanced levels, and they sing and play a multitude of musical styles, including classical, pop, rock, r 'n' b, country, folk, singer-songwriter, musical theater, blues and more.

gfire loves to share her talents with her students. She prides herself on instilling a "sense of mastery" to each of her singing and piano students, no matter on which level they are. The students come away with a real sense of knowing their songs and their instruments inside out and with a real sense of confidence in their musicianship. Plus they have a lot of fun as they make musical progress!

gfire is also an award-winning singer-songwriter and...