Buellton, CA Ukulele Lessons

40 students per week. I decided to move forward and take my musical experience with me to San Diego, where I currently teach, write, record, and perform my music with others who have similar goals and aspirations. I love playing in as many bands as possible. The main one I play in is called Quel Bordel. Some of the bands I've played in have given me the opportunity to perform with local and big named artists such as D.J. Artistic, Gary Wilson of Stones Throw Records, The Aristocrats, Terry Bozzio, Alan Holdsworth, and Tony Levin. As a full time musician and performer, I'm typically out gigging anywhere from 2-5 a week. As a teacher, I'm here to help you with where you want to be with guitar. Whether it's rock, pop, funk, hip hop, reggae, jazz, blues, indie, folk, and country, I can help you with the technical and theoretical side of things.

*** Lesson Details ***
My goal- To get you to become better than me. I find myself as an easy going teacher, and can provide that push when I see students getting more engaged in their lessons. I typically teach out of two main books, and it's optional for students to have their own copy of my recommended method books. I emphasize heavy chord vocabulary and steady rhythm. I believe that in order to be a good lead player, you would have to be a great rhythm player. As we develop technique, you can expect me to incorporate theory as to maintain an even share of the HOW's and WHY's. Moreover, expect to DO something with our lessons. Repetition is the mother of learning, and sometimes it comes down to the idea of 'monkey see, monkey do' before we can have in depth conversations about the application of your lessons in real situations. To me, music is very creative. So I'm a big believer on improvisation with both chords and scales. I believe in practical application when learning the songs you want to learn. So every student will have a unique way of learning the fundamentals only necessary to their personal goals.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Two small practice amps, cables, method books (personal copies), extra picks, extra guitar, music stand, blank sheet music/tabs for notes, extra strings, music stand, metronome, tuner

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music stand, extra guitar (if needed), blank staff/tab paper, tuner, metronome, battery powered amp, cables, extra strings (if needed), picks

*** Specialties ***
I primarily use Hal Leonard method books for beginners when it comes to reading and basic technique. For those who want to learn at the intermediate/advance level, I use the book called Jazz and Pop Guitar (chords and progressions) and Scales and Modes in the Beginning which can cover all aspects of chord theory and improvisation. I model my curriculum off of my prior lesson plans from my teachers ( based off of Berklee and GIT) My genres specialize in rock, funk, jazz, indie rock, folk, country, blues, pop

Dominic Castillo, a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, who was a student of Jerry's as well. After studying under these talented musicians, I went on to pursue my education in music and received my BA in Music from San Jose State University in 2004. I started teaching music privately during my time with Jerry and Dominic and continued to teach during college up until the present, and have taught hundreds of students since. I now live in San Diego where I teach, work as a freelance musician, and play in local funk/jazz/rock group Science Fiction Jazz and gypsy/kickstomp outfit Quel Bordel!

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a very easy going, friendly individual who believes that learning music is built upon a strong relationship between teacher and student. This relationship involves good communication, honesty, open mindedness, and most importantly the desire to LEARN and have FUN. I approach teaching music by knowing and understanding the student's musical goals, and teaching fundamentals, theory, and technique through the style(s) of music that the student wants to learn. For beginners, I tend to teach basic techniques and chords through simple songs to get the student playing music as quickly as possible.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: couches, table and TV, music stand, student can borrow instrument for first lesson, parents can sit in on lesson

*** Specialties ***
My main musical styles that I perform and teach are rock, blues, jazz, funk, R&B, and reggae. I studied jazz in college so I also have extensive knowledge of jazz theory.

e "computer chip" in my head and put it in yours, we would do that. Study with me and you will get the next best thing!
4.If I say something that isn't clear, or isn't useful to you, I will ALWAYS re-explain, or say it a different way, until it is useful to you and something you know how to use for your benefit on your instrument.
5. If you have a practice schedule set up with me, and for any reason you do not have time to practice or get an assignment done, I GOT IT! You can always tell me, because I've been there and I know. Music Lessons are NOT school, and I will never act like they are.

OK, now for the credentials:

MY EDUCATION

I learned how to read music at 4 years old, before I had even learned to read English. If I can do that, anyone can do that given the right set of elements.
1. I started singing at three, piano lessons at nine, began teaching myself guitar at twelve and I have never stopped playing and learning since then.
2. I earned a B.A in Music from Towson University and graduated Magna cum Laude with a Major in Jazz/Commercial Piano Performance and a Minor in Opera.
3. I made my stage performing debut in a solo role at six, and I have never stopped performing since then. I wrote my first song, all by myself, at eleven and have composed over 1000 pieces since then.
4. I have studied brain science and practical neurology for fifteen years as part of my continuing education.

MY EXPERIENCE

In addition to my extensive study of the piano, I have had many other valuable experiences as a musician and teacher, including but not limited to the following:

1. I have been a choral singer for twenty three years, and during that time toured Italy, sang at St. Martin of Tours Church in Los Angeles for fifteen of those years, and worked on mastering just about every form of sacred choral and gospel music.

2. As a soloist, began performing professionally in 1988 and have done numerous performances of my own compositions around Southern California. I also have had songs of mine pitched to major artists in Nashville and currently compose both contemporary music and feature songs for film and television.

3. I developed a method of curing tone deafness, and authored a course that teaches this to anyone whether they are a trained singer or beginner. I also authored a second course specifically for karaoke singers to learn stage presence and better performance skills.

4. I have been teaching for twenty years, working with students from 3 to 78 years old at every level of musical experience. I have taught not only music performing and instrumental technique, but song-writing, arranging, and the tricky task of singing while playing an instrument to accompany one's self. Believe me, this is a skill that DOES take a separate set of lessons to master, but every student who studies it with me does!

In short, if it's music, or even music-related, I've done it and I can teach it and I can figure out the best method to have your brain master it!

My Specialties:
Working with kids and young people in a SAFE environment to learn their instrument
Rhythm, and understanding why it is your ticket to musical mastery
How to use your own brain to be your own best teacher (when I'm not there in a lesson with you!)
Pop, Classical, Gospel, Rock, Musical Theater,

Education
B. A. Music

Subjects Taught
piano, voice, guitar, music theory, song writing/composition, arranging

*** Lesson Details ***
Your BRAIN is your greatest musical asset, and I have spent the past twenty-five years learning how to make the musical brain easy for everyone.

I've been a musician since I was in the cradle, and I
learned to read music before I could read English! Over the past twenty years of teaching piano, voice and guitar I have learned how to use your brain, and the basic musical skills you ALREADY have to help you turn yourself into a great musician and performer.

If you can tap your foot along with a song, and you can recognize Mary Had a Little Lamb, you've got what it takes. My specialty is taking these simple skills you already have and using them to teach you EVERYTHING you want to know how to do on your instrument. I also teach combined
lessons so that you can learn more than one instrument in your course of study if that is what you choose.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Student provides piano in their home for piano lessons. Voice students provide a recording device to record their lesson for their practice. Guitar students provide their guitar, any amps, cables, anything else they need for their rig. All students provide any CD's or mp3's they are working with during study. They pay for all books needed.

*** Specialties ***
Beginner level through advanced in kid songs, pop, rock, gospel, contemporary Christian, Broadway and classical. Emphasis on rhythm and technique. Lessons specialize in using knowledge of brain neuroscience practical applications in hearing, learning, reading, practicing and performing music.

Etc., Note Reading, the Music Biz, and learning about all the cool new Music Technologies of the day. Rick also loves to transcribe any and all music the student wants to learn but for which they cannot find the sheet music or internet tab. Rick prefers to teach what the student wants to learn, but if they're not sure what that is, he helps them figure that out.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Wifi, Computer, and iPhone. I make good use of technology during lessons. Much used apps include Guitarbots, Slow Down Music Trainer, TabPro, and the Guitar Toolkit (metronome, tuner, etc.)

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music Stand (if needed), and iPhone tech.

*** Specialties ***
Music Theory and Songwriting.

m sheet music addictions to be able to have fun and confidence out at jams. I also can give a good foundation in music theory as it applies to one's actual playing and have it be fun and make sense.

niversity as an academic coach. In this role, I helped students process concerns and create goals regarding developing time management skills, coping strategies for anxiety, study skills, information processing and motivation. These experiences have helped me gain a continually growing understanding of facilitating the learning process with individuals and with groups.

I teach student development classes (critical thinking, motivation theory, study strategies, time management, stress management, etc.) at a local community college, I teach an upper-level learning and development course (views of learning, motivation, the memory process, memory strategies, critical issues in education, etc.) at a local university, and I work as an academic coach at another local university.

As the information above may suggest, I hold education to such a high, passionate regard. It is what promotes a healthy, well-informed society. As an auto-didactic learner, I believe that everyone has the ability to learn anything one desires. It is a matter of how one approaches it. Therefore, my approach is one that is peculiar to each of the individuals I work with.

I present concepts with the idea that the combination of experience, discourse, and meaning-making is the key to learning. This aside from my teaching tools based on the views of learning. With an aversion towards cookie-cutter approaches, I maintain an open mind to my invariably evolving approach of sharing knowledge and insight with others. This comes with my continual seeking of growth in the art of teaching with consideration of the process of learning. Further, I strive to create a warm, positive atmosphere that allows one to feel comfortable with making mistakes, with making progress and with being themselves. Fundamentally, this is my approach to working with people.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COACHING: Using my insight gained as a counseling student, I am happy to offer my personal development coaching service. In this role, I help individuals develop their path of change, making sure motivation and focus is well-maintained. I provide a judgment-free and understanding atmosphere for one to reflect and process concerns as well as work towards making personal changes (e.g. self-actualization, career, anxiety management, lifestyle, life changes) from an existential perspective. I believe that such a space should be available for everyone, so I am especially happy to provide it.

My approach to personal development coaching is based on my therapeutic orientation called Gestalt Therapy (GT). The underlying idea of GT is that awareness is the key initiator of change. Awareness allows one to discern where such things as anxiety, unhappiness, ambivalence, etc. stem from. I believe that it is important for every human being to go through such a process so that peace and awareness within brings peace and awareness to the outer world. I am inspired by and influenced by the ideas of Carl Jung (Analytical Psychology- particularly the Psychological Types) and Carl Rogers (Client-Centered Therapy). I help facilitate the process in a genuinely humane, empathic and professional manner. If interested, please, see the details I have provided under Life Coaching. I work with grade school students and adults. I am absolutely loyal to the idea of confidentiality; therefore, I ensure that information of anybody I work with is not at risk of being shared with a third party.

ACADEMIC COACHING/STUDY SKILLS: Using my passion for education and my insight gained in my few years (so far) immersed in the world of education, I help students (grade school and college) develop areas of their academic life needing improvement. As suggested above, I help students develop time management, learning strategies, coping strategies for anxiety, and motivation (i.e. help them to see the value of learning). Though it is a valuable tool, it is presently not a service that is offered at most schools in the area.

WRITING: As a lover of reading and writing, I understand the value of expressing thoughts, feelings and ideas. As a writer, my focus is on creative writing (mostly short stories presently) and essays. Given my undergraduate and postgraduate experiences, I have written many academic papers, in APA format and in MLA format. I edit and revise papers as well as help individuals develop their writing voice, develop their ideas, develop an approach to structuring writing, maintain consistency with writing and provide genuine feedback. Beyond that, my help with writing is limited to the goals of the the individual.

TWO IMPORTANT THINGS: I strive to maintain a positive collaboration with those I work with. I believe this is one of the most important parts of the process. Also, I promote the idea of Soul. To me, Soul is any sincere display of passion. With Soul, we perform in a most genuine and graceful way. I personally believe that whether one is playing the piano, writing a story, living life, singing, giving a speech or anything (necessarily peaceful), one should do it with Soul.

LASTLY, I am open to: Going beyond my travel radius, at an agreed-upon adjusted rate; working with multiple students, at an agreed-upon adjusted rate; meeting at a public place that is convenient, if it is preferred; and meeting at a student's location, depending on the preferred time and the distance.

I mentioned everything that is above so that it may be known and understood. Feel free to send me a message if you have questions about any of the services I provide, my approach or anything!

PEACE BE WITHIN YOU

Guitar Institute of Technology) in Hollywood where he gleaned 30+ yrs. of information from world renowned guitarists and musicians. Scott went on to graduate from Belmont University with honors in Composition and Arranging. Playing in Rock, R&B, Country, Classical and Jazz original and cover bands has enhanced his skills and made him a well rounded musician. He has the ability to teach these styles and make a living playing them.

Scott teaches all levels of students from beginner to advanced as well as the "signed artist" who have recording deals and need a little extra coaching. He has taught well known musician's family members and many of Scott's former students have gone on to make a career of their own in music as teachers, performers or composers.

"I enjoy music so much that it has always been a pleasure to pass on the knowledge of playing music."