Music

Guitar

Phil C.

Overview About Reviews Experience Education Certifications Awards Affiliations Languages Gallery

Background check

Teaches online

Teaches all skill levels

Age: 16-90

Speaks English

Teaching since 1993

Interdisciplinary Arts

One Key to Your Creative Freedom is Being a Creative Entrepreneur

I will begin by looking over what a student is already doing or not doing, from a business standpoint, to benefit their creative work. We will then work out a plan that works for your specific needs and immediately execute it. As an established independent musician and owner of an indie label that's breaking new ground in the way business is done in music, and someone who's handled every twist and turn with success and never compromised his creative voice, I'm well suited to put you on the road that will not only lead you somewhere lucrative, but will be something you're comfortable with as an artist. You never need to compromise your art, no matter what any business person may tell you. As an entrepreneur, you're endeavoring to be creative in your use of money, ideas, and the communication of your art. So, as a creative individual, you're better suited for this than you can imagine. Let's get started.

Instructor details

Subject

Location:

Teacher's Studio

SEE MAP

Westwood Blvd Studio

Student's Home

Teaches Online

Teaching Hours

Tuesday

1 PM-8 PM

Wednesday

1:30 PM-4:30 PM

6 PM-8 PM

Thursday

11 AM-8 PM

Saturday

1 PM-5 PM

Sunday

4:30 PM-6 PM

Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Pricing

60 minutes

$79

About Phil C.

5.0

(27)

My award-winning school has been in Los Angeles since August, 2022. We're located in Westwood, right near UCLA. I'm fully vaccinated and will adhere to whatever safety guidelines you prefer. I also provide state-of-the-art setups for online lessons. I've taught both privately and in the classroom (in schools from Pre-K to college, and through workshops), and have been a working musician and teacher for 30 years. I have a degree in music from Columbia College Chicago (Summa Cum Laude). My students have included everyone from absolute beginners to working professionals like myself. Many of my students have also gone on to careers in music. My approach in private instruction involves tailoring the lessons to the specific needs of each student, while making sure that he/she has the knowledge and technique to succeed in their creative endeavors. Whether it's a hobby or a potential career, I leave nothing out. You will learn the entire instrument. In cases where a student works in more than one subject, one session can typically be applied to all/both of them. I strive to help every student find their own creative voice, while building the skill sets required to work in any style of music. As a writer, I've written for everything from music publications to LinkedIn, and have an award-winning nonfiction book that chronicles my journey as an independent musician. As an entrepreneur, I've had several non-music businesses on the side over the years, and have weathered every twist and turn of the music industry for more than 30 years. My indie record label, founded in 1994, is breaking new ground by empowering artists to have a hand in their own business success while never compromising their art. As a public speaker, I started speaking in church at age 9. I have spoken to audiences large and small about everything from music education and the music business, to dealing with addiction, to the teachings of engaged Buddhism. Please feel free to contact me with the button on my profile here. This can include questions about my method, or regarding days and times for lessons. What you see in my availability here is based on my schedule away from TakeLessons. I have students elsewhere and perform shows regularly. I may have additional times available and tend to have some flexibility. I teach worldwide online. Just ask. As soon as you're ready to book lessons, you can use the booking button next to your area of study, day and time. I will receive a notification that you've signed up. I will then confirm with you and send a questionnaire regarding your lesson needs within 48 hours. Thanks for your interest. I look forward to working with you!

ReviewsWrite a review

100%

5.0

27 Reviews

Norman

Teacher's studio

very helpful

Posted Mar 16, 2021

Norm

Teacher's studio

Very helpful, knowledgeable, and a good teacher.

Posted Mar 9, 2021

Student's home

Very knowledgeable and put me at ease right from the beginning.

Posted Jan 9, 2020

11 22 33...99 Next >Next >

Experience

Music Coach / Writing / Speaking / Entrepreneurship

Feb, 1994 - Present

Phil C. Music and Guilt By Association Records

I'm proud to say that I've been Rated among the Top 12 Music Schools and Lesson Facilities in Chicago for 3 years in a row (2019-21) by Expertise.com. Since my first teaching jobs and release of my first self-produced recordings in 1994, I've been an advocate of doing it yourself. I fell into teaching quite naturally and this work has led me to work with students to develop their careers in music, and in many cases I've coached them outside of the arts. Every subject you see in this profile is something I cover at my school, Phil C. Music in The Flat Iron Arts Building in Chicago's historic Wicker Park. Please feel free to inquire further by using the contact button on this page. You'll hear back from me within 48 hours.

Music Instructor

Sep, 2016 - Sep, 2019

Flatts and Sharpe Music

I began teaching here immediately after my return to Chicago and ended my contract after establishing my new studio. This is where I take younger students, since they have a lobby for parents and do 30 minute lessons. When I'm not here, I'm in my private studio. I am fully vetted by Flatts and Sharpe, as well as TakeLessons. In addition to teaching privately one day a week at each of their two locations, I coach some of the student bands for the quarterly "Flatts and Sharpe Rock Show" at a major Chicago venue.

Music Instructor

Sep, 2010 - Sep, 2013

Eau Claire Music School

I was a private instructor in guitar, bass, ukulele, and voice. I also conducted a couple of workshops in songwriting. My roster included about 20 thirty minute lessons a week, at its peak.

Music Instructor

Mar, 1997 - May, 2005

Quinlan and Fabish Music

As a private instructor in guitar, bass and voice, I also started a summer program for student bands. Two other teachers and I would combine students of various instruments, teach them a short set of music, and put on a show, all in one to two weeks with daily rehearsals. My roster at Quinlan and Fabish included 55 thirty minute lessons a week, at its peak.

Music Production Assistant

Jun, 1994 - Jun, 1995

Columbia College Chicago / Chicago Jazz Ensemble

While attending Columbia College Chicago, I was the production assistant for The Chicago Jazz Ensemble and personal assistant to their conductor William Russo. Russo was also a ground breaking composer and the founder/artistic director of the Contemporary American Music Program at Columbia. This experience allowed me a great deal of insight into the real world of music, not to mention the mentoring I received from Russo and many of his contemporaries regarding the craft of music. Through this job I met and spoke with many legendary figures in jazz and blues. Naturally, I benefited from the knowledge they shared.

Music Tutor and Teacher's Aide

Jun, 1994 - Jun, 1995

Columbia College Chicago

Beginning in my second semester as a student at Columbia College, I was asked to be a private tutor and to work in the classroom as a teacher's aide for the music program. I was able to hone my approach to private teaching through tutoring. As a teacher's aide, I watched an experienced classroom teacher in action and gained insight into ways to engage a larger group. Both of these part time jobs also allowed me to tighten my understanding of music theory to the benefit of my own work at the time, as a student and teacher.

Music Teacher

Sep, 1993 - Jun, 1999

Fran Center (Catholic Schools)

I was a classroom teacher of General Music for several Chicago Catholic Schools, as placed by Fran Center, and educational provider for parochial schools. I taught from Pre-K through 8th Grade. I also occasionally subbed for other subjects, directed the choirs, and put together classroom shows with the students. At my busiest, I taught from 8:30am to 2:30pm Monday through Friday.

Writer and Author

Apr, 1992 - Present

Freelance

Before I made the conscious choice to go into music, I wanted to be a writer. As a result, I've kept this alive through the years in my songwriting and by writing for pure enjoyment or for hire. I'm a regular contributor on Medium. While at Columbia College Chicago for my music degree, I did all of my electives in the Fiction Writing Department, even choosing one of their professors as an advisor. I took every class in their mainstream course offerings up to the graduate level. I have contributed to various publications with articles appearing in business, science and arts publications. In the world of theater, I've scripted comedic plays and written a TV pilot. In 2016, I published an award-winning book that chronicles my 30+ years as an independent musician. It's called "The Outback Musician's Survival Guide" and is available in print, e-book and audiobook everywhere books are sold online.

Singer Songwriter Guitarist / Producer

Mar, 1986 - Present

Guilt By Association Records

I've been a working singer, songwriter, guitarist for 30+ years. I've released multiple albums that received critical acclaim, and I've toured nationally. I perform regularly both in the Chicago area and regionally. My performances vary from solo acoustic to 3-piece to a full electric band. I have appeared on local and national radio shows, and often return to many of them, even co-hosting on occasion. I regularly receive media attention for my various work. I also produce extensively. I have sync licensing deals with several outlets. Sync licensing is when your work is placed in TV and movies.

Education

Music Composition and Performance

Feb, 1994 - Jun, 1997

Columbia College Chicago

Interdisciplinary Arts

Sep, 1998 - Jun, 1999

Columbia College Chicago

Certifications

Summa Cum Laude (Honors Graduate)

Jun, 1997

Columbia College Chicago

I graduated in the top of my class at Columbia College Chicago. My diploma was presented with honors.

Top Music Schools in Chicago

Jan, 2022

Expertise.com

For a 4th Consecutive Year! After a survey of nearly 600 Chicago area music schools and lesson facilities, using several criteria, Expertise awarded Phil C.Music among their Top Music Schools certification.

Creativity & Entrepreneurship at Berklee X

Apr, 2021

Berklee College Of Music

Working through the intersection of creativity and being an entrepreneur, this four part course from Berklee X, created by SonicBids founder Panos Panay, was completed by Phil C.with 100% credit received.

Top Music Schools in Chicago

Feb, 2021

Expertise.com

For a Third Consecutive Year! After a survey of nearly 600 Chicago area music schools and lesson facilities, using several criteria, Expertise awarded Phil C. Music among their Top Music Schools certification.

Top Music Schools in Chicago

Mar, 2020

Expertise.com

For a second consecutive year: After a survey of nearly 600 Chicago area music schools and lesson facilities, using several criteria, Expertise awarded Phil C. Music their Top Music Schools certification.

Top Music Schools in Chicago

Jul, 2019

Expertise.com

After looking over 574 Chicago area music schools and lesson facilities, using several criteria, Expertise awarded Phil C. Music their Top Music Schools certification.

Awards

Presidential Scholarship

Sep, 1994

Columbia College Chicago

Top Music Schools in Los Angeles 2023

Jan, 2023

Experise

Top Music Schools in Los Angeles 2022

Sep, 2022

Expertise.com

Top Music Schools in Chicago 2022

Jan, 2022

Expertise.com

Top Music Schools in Chicago 2021

Jan, 2021

Expertise.com

Top Singles of 2020

Dec, 2020

NBT Music Radio

Top Music Schools in Chicago 2020

Feb, 2020

Expertise.com

Top Albums of 2019

Dec, 2019

NBT Music Radio

Best of Chicago 2019

Dec, 2019

Chicago Music Guide

Top Music Schools in Chicago 2019

Jul, 2019

Expertise.com

Book Award / Nonfiction / Entertainment

Jun, 2018

2018 Readers' Favorite Book Awards

Top 300 Singles

Dec, 2017

NBT Music Radio

Best Of 2017

Apr, 2017

Lessons

Best Actor In A Dramatic Role Nomination

May, 2008

Chicago Actors Studio

Affiliations

BMI

May, 2009

Broadcast Music Inc. was founded in 1939 by forward-thinkers who wanted to represent songwriters in emerging genres, like jazz, blues and country, and protect the public performances of their music. Operating on a non-profit-making basis, BMI is now the largest music rights organization in the U.S. and is still nurturing new talent and new music.