Guitar with Michael S.

Expressing yourself is the ultimate goal of music and my job is to help you get your point across! Like any musician, music is my life. I love to soak it in any way I can! Whether it be listening to records, jamming with my friends or watching all the live concert footage of Stevie Ray Vaughan I can get my hands on. I graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor’s of Art in Music with a concentration on guitar performance. Throughout my undergraduate studies I performed in various ensembles within the college’s curriculum. Currently, my solo project gives me the opportunity to continue to grow through writing and performing my own original pieces. Throughout my career I have had the honor of performing with renowned songwriters Todd Rundgren and Charlie Sexton as well as being mentored by jazz drummer Frank Donaldson of The Ramsey Lewis Quartet. *** Lesson Details *** Studying at the college level taught me a lot about what not to do as a teacher. The material is already difficult enough, so why would I be difficult with you? I strive to be more of a mentor and friend rather than taskmaster. However, I do require structure and commitment to getting better. My curriculum will revolve around you and your needs with added material that I feel will help you succeed. A typical lesson plan includes:  physical technique  chord and scale knowledge,  soloing concepts  and tying all of these ideas together by learning a song in a genre you love! All of these concepts culminate in the discovery of your own personal voice! *** Studio Equipment *** My teaching studio is just steps away from the Belmont Blue Line stop! Our lessons will be held in a private practice space in my home. The large room has multiple amps and guitars, so there is no need to bring an instrument for lessons if you don't want to! (But, you do need an instrument to practice with outside of our lessons!)