My music education began at age 8 when, after a year of pestering my parents, I got my first guitar. My self-taught forays began casually at first, until I was introduced to the likes of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton (the Cream years) and then later, Frank Marino, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, and Allan Holdsworth. By age 15, it was "all about the guitar: eat-sleep-school-guitar," with many countless hours burning the midnight oil, deciphering the solos of my heroes. I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area after high school and began studying guitar under the mentor-ship of virtuoso Marc Bonilla (who has worked with such luminaries as Ronnie Montrose, Derek Sherinian, Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple). Bonilla has since moved to L.A. to pursue an impressive career as a film and T.V. composer, while I stayed on in the Bay Area as full time working guitarist/studio musician/composer/teacher.

My love and passion for teaching guitar is matched...

Rob (aka R.J.): Born in Detroit, Michigan, RJ studied r&b and jazz from Motown drummers and Funk Brothers Benny Benjamin and Uriel Jones. From the age of fifteen he played in rhythm & blues and jazz combos around Detroit. He then studied privately with Berklee School of Music drum maestro, Gene Stuart,studied with mallet studies with Mark Johnson and earned a Bachelors Degree from Michigan State University, moved to San Francisco and studied North Indian percussion and tabla with Zakir Hussain, trap set with jazz recording artists George Marsh. He is a consummate producer, performer, recording artist and teacher. He plays and teaches all styles of rhythm including jazz, funk, blues, rock, latin, and world fusion. He teaches drumset, congas, djembe, tabla, cajon and hand percussion. In addition to teaching privately, RJ has directed special week-long drum and percussion focused ensemble productions at Drake High School and Marin Academy and was Music Director at Cascade Canyon...

I’ve played keyboards and sang professionally for the last 25 years. During that time my home has been in the San Francisco Bay Area but I have performed all over the country and have toured several times in Germany, Switzerland, and Japan. I’m a two time winner of the West Coast Songwriters “Song Of The Year Award” and I write music and lyrics as well as record and produce songs for myself and others.

Over those years I’ve developed a wealth of knowledge and experience that I’m very excited to share with my students. I want you to tell me what your musical dreams are and we will develop a plan to reach them and I will be honored to guide you there.

I have been playing guitar and performing for over 30 years. I have played in many bands playing rock, pop, country and blues. I was on the road for many years and opened for Elvin Bishop, Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane) and Canned Heat. I have a Certificate of Completion from the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA, and am a Certified Operator of Pro Tools. I want to share my knowledge and experience of the guitar and performing with my students in a way that they not only learn to play the guitar well but also develop the passion for music that will last them a lifetime. So whether you just want to play in your living room or play on a professional level and perform, I would love to help you get there.

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...

I love to teach- over 14 years of teaching piano and voice students, I know that music is one of the most fulfilling and joyful activities human beings engage in. I have helped many students, of all ages and abilities, to experience greater satisfaction from their practice and/or performance, and to experience an excited intellectual curiosity to learn more.

I was originally a classical pianist, but in 1997 I began study of jazz arranging and piano. Following this, I spent 8 years as a touring musician in various bands, traveling mostly around the eastern half of the country. With the dream of writing orchestral music, I then returned to school at Jacobs School of Music (Indiana University) to study classical music composition. I got the opportunity to write for large ensembles there, and then became so interested in experimental music that I decided to come to Mills College, where I am currently teaching as a T.A. and continuing composition study.

Part of my professional...

I have been a professional performing musician and teacher for going on a decade. I've studied jazz guitar and film scoring at Berklee as well as bass and composition at Lewis and Clark. I've toured across the country several times over, playing everything from jazz to funk, metal to pop. More importantly, I've been teaching privately since high school when I'd bike to students houses around my neighborhood. Since then I've taught at the local branches of School of Rock in Portland, OR, Boston, and New York, teaching privately, coaching ensembles, directing student concerts, and teaching theory workshops. I also have been working to integrate cutting edge digital technology into my teaching practices should students wish to explore contemporary practices. Music has long been my life's love, and my highest hopes lie in in sharing its rewards.

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.

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...

Hi!
My name is Brett F. I have been playing guitar for 35 years and teaching for 15 years.
I am an award winning songwriter and I have been playing professionally for 25 years.
I teach all styles, including Blues, Jazz, Folk, Rock and Country. My approach to lessons is to keep it fun while progressing at a steady pace. I am dedicated to developing your proficiency in scales,chords and improvisation. I like to introduce theory and the rudiments of music in the context of popular songs. That way you can learn what YOU want to learn and I can fulfill my obligation as a teacher.My home studio is light and comfortable or I can travel to your home.

Devin is a composer/pianist and music instructor based out of San Francisco. He holds a Bachelors degree in Music Composition from the University of the Pacific and a Masters degree in Music Composition from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and has had works commissioned and performed internationally. He is also an active performer and songwriter, playing piano and guitar in a wide variety of musical ensembles, from jazz trios to indie rock bands.

Devin has over a decade experience in private music instruction in piano, guitar, and composition/theory/songwriting. He has established and maintained a well respected studio of students spanning all ages, musical background, and goals. He has a versatile musical background, and can accordingly offer lessons that are based on the individual students' goals. His genuine passion for the art of music ensures that his students get the most out of the experience.

I have been playing guitar, bass and keyboards for 15 years. I have played in numerous bands including the Pyronauts, a Sacramento area based instrumental surf band. From 2001-2004, I attended Chico State University where I received my B.A. in Music/Recording Arts and have also worked as an engineer on a variety of recording projects, including albums, demo projects and jingles. I want to pass on to my students the love of music and recording that I have.