Miami, FL Mandolin Lessons

All styles - strumming, single note playing
Improvisation soloing
Proper technique
Repertoire
Music analysis

My mission, is to create a private and educational environment to students of all ages. One that enriches their senses to music, through reading, writing, ear training, performance and technique.

I started playing acoustic guitar when I was seven years old (off and on). I then started traveling more and found the mandolin to be so much easier to carry around and so much fun, it was hard to stop playing it. I have been playing and teaching mostly bluegrass, old time, Irish, blues, and swing jazz styles for many years. I have taught both privately and have also done various workshops at festivals. I have taught multiple years for instance at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival in PA, The Traditions week at Common Ground on the Hill Festival in MD, etc
My students learn to have fun with music. Students can work on rhythms, melodies, improvisation, song writing, arranging tunes, music theory, getting into and/or hanging on in a jam session, etc.

I've taught from ages 4 to 74 on mandolin in my teaching studio, which has been kicking since 2001, after earning my degree in music performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Students describe me as patient, fun, and encouraging! As your teacher, you can expect me to work with you from where you are, and with subjects and curriculum that match what you are interested in learning. **NEW STUDENT SPECIAL!** I have just shifted my studio to online only, I have limited studio times available (**PLEASE CHECK MY AVAILABILITY BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR LESSONS, AS MY TIMES ARE QUITE LIMITED NOW**), and I am excited to meet new students! From now through October 2017, I am offering a new online student special, where students can purchase lessons at a reduced rate! Students may purchase as many lessons at this rate as they like, but in November, rates will return to regular tuition. ($28 per 30-min session). I look forward to meeting you! Call Take Lessons today to sign up!

I have taught music for 10 years and believe students should get to play what they want to play! Students are asked to come up with a list of songs and/or artists they would love to play. Through teaching chords, note reading and theory, the song possibilities are endless! I also can help the aspiring singer/mandolin player to be able to both play and sing simultaneously.

I grew up in North Carolina, around bluegrass and Old Time music. I started playing mandolin as a teen and studied Irish mandolin in College for 4 years. I play bluegrass/Old Time and Irish mandolin and am comfortable teaching both. I also play pop style mandolin. I teach basic music theory with mandolin lessons, also fingering techniques, tunings, chords, and styles. I love to teach mandolin students tunes, so they can understand how mandolin works when played alone or with others. I love folk music, and I would love to share that love with students.

I've been teaching private lessons for nearly a decade, and it would be my pleasure to help you reach your musical goals and get you to the next level in your playing ability. Together in our lessons, we'll focus on establishing good technique, expanding repertoire, studying music theory, and exploring improvisation.

Learn to read and and easy hand positioning to aquire playing the notes.

A two-time Acoustic Music Seminar participant and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, mandolinist Jake plays and writes music that is galvanized by roots music from around the globe. Music has taken him all over the country, yet he was introduced to acoustic music in his hometown, the greatest bluegrass city of all time: Akron, Ohio. Jake joined his uncle’s bluegrass band (The Blue Ribbon Bluegrass Band) playing mandolin and spent the next two years refining his craft. In his years with Blue Ribbon Bluegrass Band, Jake recorded two CDs and played countless gigs all over the northeastern United States. After being urged by his friends and family, Jake applied to the Berklee College of Music, where he graduated in 2017 with a degree in Mandolin performance and American Roots Music, mentored by greats such as Joe Walsh, Maeve Gilchrist, David Wallace, and Matt Glaser. He now tours nationally with the band The Page Turners.

I love to teach and hope to make you a more conscious

Most view mandolin as an instrument used exclusively for country and classical music. I disagree. I am a blues and jazz mandolinist with years of onstage professional experience and a library of knowledge on contemporary styles and theory. My approach to mandolin starts with basic theory and ear training. I find this helps students understand structure and form more easily. From there we learn what you want anf the lessons are structured around your needs and goals. Whether you want to play an Irish jig or rock out like Hendrix I have something for one and all.