Guitar with Andrew S.

I am a guitarist, educator and composer based in New York City. I recently graduated from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, completing a BFA with Honors in December 2018. Since moving to New York, I have been able to study with some of the world’s finest musicians, including many I grew up listening to such as Lage Lund, Aaron Parks and Peter Bernstein. These experiences have given me an insight into music that I could not have gained otherwise, as well as opened me up to different varieties of jazz and styles of music. You can find me playing in jazz venues around the city such as ShapeShifter Lab. Music has always been a part of my life, beginning to play my first instrument, the piano, at two years of age. Then, at the age of nine, I started learning the guitar. Like most young musicians at that age, I began this part of my musical journey, focusing on rock, winning the Shredding Contest in the under 19 category at the Vancouver Guitar show when I was fourteen. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I became a dedicated jazz musician, discovering a true passion for this genre. During my high school years, I was featured in many honour ensembles and won numerous awards, the most notable being Most Outstanding Guitarist at MusicFest Canada, a national level high school music festival, in both 2013 and 2014. In the summer of 2016, I was selected to play in the Ottawa Youth Jazz Summit, an ensemble put together to feature Canada's top jazz musicians under the age of 25. I was honoured to have my musicianship recognized by winning the Stingray Rising Stars Award. I am an experienced educator, having worked as a private instructor since the age of thirteen. Performing in numerous bands playing music from jazz to rock and funk has given me a wide variety of skills to offer to any student, regardless of style. My technical knowledge of the instrument can keep more advanced players entertained, while my patience, teaching experience and practical advice can help any beginner get started on the right path. I knows that each student is different and has a different relationship with music. I like to tailors my lessons to fit the students specific needs. Having experience in many different styles, I'm able to explore what the student wants to learn, while still teaching them the fundamentals of the guitar and music theory.