I specialize in beginner to very advanced training in Songwriting and Music Composition.

If you are ready to start taking your music skills SERIOUSLY then stop wasting time and money on teachers who don't fully understand the instrument or subject matter themselves. My name is Russ and I have been playing guitar professionally for 20 years and teaching music and producing records for over 15. I have a Platinum #1 Billboard charting record under my belt, worked with artists such as Mac Miller, Sean Kingston, Red Velvet, Lifehouse and more; and have composed music to 100s of your favorite TV shows! Feel free to browse my official website for a full list of credits. Want to learn to shred guitar? Produce beats? Write your own songs? Dive into theory? Record yourself? This page is the one stop shop. Feel free to reach out with any requests or questions!

In songwriting lessons, we will be going over song form, chord progressions, melody creation, rhythmic basslines, drum programming and much more!

I have written many songs, one of them got an honorable mention at the billboard international song contest, another is the theme song of the movie "Falling Star" (AKA "Goyband") starring (and singing) the magnificent Adam Pascal.

As an award-winning singer/songwriter myself, I am here to help you take your own thoughts and emotions and turn them into works of art. In our lessons, we will focus on learning the different types of song structure, accessing your creative brain, and using both words and melody to fully express the emotion or story you're wanting to convey. We will also learn how to make a polished demo, create lead sheets for musicians to play your songs, and how to envision the production of your song. I am so excited to start this wonderful journey with you!

Learn about rhythm, melody, harmony, and dynamics and how they affect your songwriting. Break down songs that you like to learn about the elements that make you like them and make them compelling to others.

I will teach you the basic concepts of how to compose songs and make those musical ideas of yours a reality. Through music theory techniques, progression theory, lyric concepts and ear training, we'll take that song that's "in your head" and make it into a reality you'll be proud of!

Parking Lots and Poetry, Francesca's award winning album was received in 2010 to rave reviews. “Francesca’s songs have great musicality and the lyrical quality of a real poet. We come across countless artists and Francesca’s music genuinely cuts through.” -Joe Cuello, Vice President of Creative Music Integration for MTV I regularly collaborate with composers of many genres and am on several songwriting teams. One of my most recent credits was featured on America's Got Talent in 2020 and received the Golden Buzzer with Voices of Our City Choir. I lead weekly songwriting sessions with dozens of songwriters collaborating regularly. Few practice or teach the songwriting craft day in and day out as I do.