Guitar with David C.

I started playing guitar 29 years ago at 11 years old. After studying classical and jazz throughout high school I attended William Paterson University from 1994 - 1997, majoring in Music Education and then later in 2003 at CCNY majoring in jazz performance. In 1997, I moved to Brooklyn and cut my teeth in the NYC R&B and rock club scene and with various jazz combos at many other clubs including the Blue Note and the Knitting Factory. In 2003 I returned to college at CCNY (city college of New York), majoring in Jazz Performance and studying with Ornette Coleman alum, Kenny Wessel. I also started my long standing weekly Hip Hop event, Freestyle Mondays in the East Village. Freestyle Mondays has attracted some of the best musicians in NYC and the world to sit in or just hang out, including Tarus Mateen, Marcus Miller (Miles Davis bassist), Ari Hoenig, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Tim Motzer, Adam Deitch and countless others. I have recorded with Lauryn Hill and have toured in China and the UK. For last 6 or 7 years, my bread and butter has been theater. It really tests my versatility. I have been a sub guitarist on Broadway for the Tony award (best score, best orchestration 2008) and Pulitzer prize winning musical Next To Normal, The Visit on Broadway, first guitar at the 2010 Williamstown Theater Festival Production of critically acclaimed musical "The Last Goodbye" which features the music of Jeff Buckley (the first project licensed by his estate since his untimely passing in 1997), Be More Chill at Two River Theater as well as many other regional theater productions. Most recently I performed with the Orlando Philharmonic and a veritable who's who of B'way including Kelli O'Hara, Chita Rivera, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Norbert Leo Butz in Orlando at a benefit for the Pulse Nightclub victims' families. My main gig, however, is with The Midtown Men. It features 4 stars from the original cast of Jersey Boys on Broadway. We have played at venues all over north America including the Beacon Theater and NJPAC as well as having a PBS special and performances on the Today Show. *** Lesson Details *** Like my musical abilities, I am an extremely versatile teacher. If you need a strict program, I can "crack the whip", but if you'd rather just learn some tunes you like, without all the theory and technical stuff, we'll find a balanced program that works for your learning style. I have been teaching for 18 years, so whether you're trying to make the high school all state jazz band, learning your new favorite song or anything in between, I can steer you in the right direction. I'll keep you motivated to improve and become the artist you want to be. With simple, clear direction from me and a little practice and hard work from you, we'll have you playing your favorite music in just a couple of months. *** Studio Equipment *** Dedicated to music, many guitars and amps, weighted casio, room for parents to wait *** Travel Equipment *** I can provide a guitar, but if a student is going to practice, I would think they would need to purchase a guitar at some point. I suppose I could bring an amp as well. Students should also have a manuscript book and/or a method book (depending on their level). *** Specialties *** I specialize in jazz guitar, but am experienced and well versed in rock, blues, classical, hip hop, R&B, funk and pretty much anything else.