Acoustic Guitar with Michael W.

I am a professional guitarist and music educator located in the bay area. I have studied music at the college level both classical guitar during undergrad. and jazz studies as a graduate student at Northern Illinois University. I enjoy my connection to the educational side of music as well as the performance side. As a performer I have played many of the historic venues the bay area has to offer such as, The Great American Music Hall, Fox theater, The Independent, The New Parish, The Chapel, Elbo Room, Slim's Boom Boom Room, Fillmore Jazz festival, The UC Theatre, Sweetwater Music Hall, Ashkenaz and the Rickshaw Stop. I have had the pleasure of opening for such legends as George Clinton, Bernie Worrell and Leo Nocentelli. Last summer I performed and toured with grammy winning artist Jody Watley. In addition to musical freelancing I am a member of 12 piece Oakland based band Strike Iron which features high-energy grooves, hypnotic percussion, and heavy horns wrapped into socially charged dance music. You can also catch me playing with bay area funk powerhouse Kuckaw!. My commitment to musical versatility has allowed for diverse musical opportunities in a variety of styles from gospel music in churches, to funk & jazz at local clubs, summer festivals throughout California, and corporate/wedding gigs throughout the greater bay area. It has been my privilege to teach guitar over the last twenty years to students of all ages in multiple cities. I take great care in getting to know each student's motivations and goals and then together we set sail for the musical journey. I thoroughly enjoy students that are open to the learning process and that are excited and curious about understanding the mysteries of music. I always aim to create an environment that supports both discipline and fun. Some of the topics to be expected in lessons with me are the following: Chord knowledge, learning songs, music theory, chord/scale theory, improvisation, composition, note reading/sight reading studies and fun!