Laguna Beach, CA Banjo Lessons

Lean how to play bluegrass banjo including melody and finger picking. Also "Clawhammer" techniques.

I have been playing bluegrass banjo for over 20 years, and have performed for events such as Thanksgiving dinners at hotels, folk clubs, bluegrass festivals, and fundraisers. In addition to playing and teaching banjo, I play and teach guitar and piano, with guitar being my main instrument. I am no Earl Scruggs, but I am a great teacher for beginners and intermediate players. As a teacher, I am patient, intuitive, and always tailor the lessons to fit the interests and learning styles of each individual student.

I teach 5 string banjo, and have students learning contemporary songs as well as traditional styles. Soloing and right hand techniques, scales and a variety of styles covered.

Get a feel for basic banjo style of playing. Learn how to do rolls, comp chords, traditional songs or even great solos.

After the first lesson you will be making music, playing songs and you will be on your way to achieving your musical goals with the banjo. Banjo playing requires a knowledge of chords, melody, picking technique as well as knowing songs all of which we will begin to learn in your first lesson.

I have been teaching banjo since 2007 and can guide a student with folk/ bluegrass/ old timey and pop.

There are many ways to cultivate your musical skill whether it's visual, kinesthetic, or auditory. Let's find out which way works best for you!

Most schools do not offer the flexibility in learning styles necessary for you to find your ideal way of processing new information, whether it be visual, auditorial, kinesthetic, memetic, right brain/left brain, etc.

That's why I'm here! I pride myself on working with each individual student on the subtle ways that they learn and form healthy habits. If you have any questions about my teaching styles or methods please ask!

A little more about me:

I have over 10 years of guitar experience, studying under Jazz heavyweights Corey Christiansen, Oteil Burbridge, and Dan Miller. I pride myself in putting my students needs and wants above all else. I wish to impart a love for music onto my students that can only be cultivated by the bond a teacher and their student share, let us learn and grow together!

Catherine has performed and taught banjo throughout the USA, Australia and New Zealand, studying with renowned banjo players Noam Pikelny, Tony Trischka and Alan Munde. She graduated from the New Zealand School of Music in 2011 with a BMus, majoring in Jazz Performance. She won first place at the 2015 Freshgrass Banjo Contest and currently performs nationally with the band, Mile Twelve. She has taught banjo both privately and in group settings to all ages and levels for the past 10 years.

I have been playing banjo for about four years now as a supplement to my guitar playing. It has a been a real joy learning the different styles and techniques.

I teach a 3 finger style of Banjo playing and how to read, hear, and play music. I teach you how to play the chords, read the tablature and play by ear.