
Stephen O.

Teaching Locations:



Teaching Locations:



Levels taught:
Beginner, Intermediate, AdvancedAbout Stephen O.
Hi there! My name is Steve and I have my Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance for guitar. I've been playing the guitar for over 15 years now and have been teaching for over 5 years. I can play Jazz, Bluegrass, Rock, Pop, Fusion, Funk, Jam and Singer/Songwriter. Any of these genres I'm able to teach and give insight about playing and performing. I've worked with students who are absolute beginners to professional musicians who want to further their knowledge, all ages too. I've been gigging for over 6 years as well and I utilize my experiences to give my students the best music education in a holistic way that they can understand. I am motivated, flexible and eager to teach!
Reviews
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Steve is a great teacher! He is positive, patient, and professional. So glad we found him!

Steven is incredibly experienced and so attentive. I’m really enjoying our lessons together and have learned so much in a short period of time. I absolutely recommend Steven to anyone wanting to learn guitar (in any level you might be in - he’s an expert).

Steve is a great instructor for my 6 year old daughter. She says, “he’s the best guitar teacher in the whole wide world because he understands what I want to do and he makes it fun for me.”

Steve, made me feel at ease during my first lesson. Giving me encouragement often.

Steve is a patient and encouraging teacher to my seven year old daughter. She enjoys the lessons very much.

I've had four lessons so far with Steve, and I am so pleased with how it is going! Steve is very skilled, patient, kind, punctual and professional. He responds to all my questions, and is very encouraging. He comes to my office in Pasadena to give me my lesson.
I find that the biggest challenge in learning something new, is keeping my own internal critic under control as I struggle with note reading, and learn how to play the guitar. The fact that Steve is so patient and never critical helps to offset my internal critic. I have felt self doubting in the first two lessons, but by lesson 3, I am confident that if I keep practicing and working with Steve, eventually I will get it.
Steve also shared info re his Taylor Mini guitar which is much smaller than the typical guitar, easier for me to play because the frets are smaller for smaller hands. I just bought my own Taylor Mini, a beautiful instrument which also inspires me to keep at it! Steve is also introducing some popular songs starting in lesson 3, which also makes it more enjoyable.
This is one of the best decisions I have made for myself, and I am very happy that I was lucky to find Steve. He's great!

Stephen is awesome. I do the lessons online which is super easy and fun as well. I am literally just a beginner so this is very exciting and Stephen is kind and patient!

Steve is a pretty awesome guitar instructor. He can adapt his teaching to what the student wants to learn and adjust instruction as needed. He is really good at explaining things and helping the student work through things.

Our 10y.o. son has been taking lessons from Steve and really likes learning the guitar. He has improved much in a short period and is very enthused to keep learning. We highly recommend Steve for the guitar. He is a patient tutor and proficient in teaching.

I've had three lessons with Steve and I'm really impressed with his knowledge and patience. Steve and I are working on keeping me focused and having me learn how to read music. I do know how to play the guitar already I just lack certain foundational things that I believe will help my playing. I feel like I have a great guide to teach me not only how to play more efficiently but also the why behind it i.e. Music Theory.

Awesome teacher! Patient and knowledgeable. Highly recommended

Steve has been a really great teacher! He's formally trained, very attentive, and really into what he's doing as a musician and teacher. It's just a great experience. He can teach from material or teach by ear and in just the few weeks we've been meeting we've covered music theory, scale modes, blues, jazz, pop and rock styles, general guitar technique, and now we're even getting into learning and analyzing solos by David Gilmour from Pink Floyd (an all-time favorite of mine). I'd recommend him to anyone looking to dive deeper into guitar and music in general. Thanks, Steve!

This tutoring session was probably the best I have ever had. I am taking a Music 101 course in which I am finding myself having trouble with. I took up tutoring with Stephen and he really broke down the steps. Sometimes, I do not understand things the first time when they are explained to me; and reading music happens to be one of them. However, I am very lucky to have Stephen as my tutor who is very patient in explaining the lesson to me. If you want a tutor who is patient and willing to invest time in helping you understand music, I highly recommend that you take Stephen.

Getting so much better at guitar thanks to Stephen!

Stephen is knowledgeable, hilarious, and easy to work with. He makes learning a fun and creative process and works with my schedule to make guitar an important part of my life. Thanks to him I am cruising along and finding that anybody can learn well with the right teacher.

I had some minor experience before meeting with Steve, and he did a really great job of building on my previous experience while really giving me a much better understanding of music and music theory. Highly recommended!

I have been playing guitar for more than 10 years. Decided to go back to lesson again. He is a guy who listen to your concern and apply his knowledge to help you improve. Coming up with his own lesson.. going over the material in a pace where I can follow through.

I would like to take a second and suggest Steve as a great guitar instructor.... I have been working with him fir a couple months now... my busy schedule does not always allow me enough time to practice like I should. But Steve has the patience needed to work through it with me. I am happy to learn from him, and I would recommend him to anyone looking for an instructor.

First of all - he is an amazing guitarist! Very talented for his age. He is really open to my ideas and goals as a musician. He helped me with my music theory and improvisation as well as rudiments. He was patient with my learning process and was able to adapt himself to the my learning style. Would recommend him to anyone! Also, a very funny and kind soul.
Photos & Videos
4 Photos & VideosExperience
Guitar Teacher
Jul 2018 - PresentErnesta Music School
Provide private lessons for students ranging from beginner to advanced • Tailor lesson plans to fit students specific needs and goals • Commute to student’s wanted location for lessons
Guitar Teacher
Oct 2017 - PresentHenderson Academy of Music
Provide private lessons for students ranging from beginner to advanced • Tailor lesson plans to fit students specific needs and goals • Commute to student’s wanted location for lessons
Guitar Teacher
Sep 2013 - PresentSelf-Employed
I taught guitar lessons to UMass students while in college, I also taught lessons to students in Brattleboro, VT while I lived there and currently teaching lessons in the LA area since November 2016.
Guitar Teacher
Oct 2017 - Jun 2018Guitar Center
Provide trial lessons to new students to determine if we’re a good fit Provide private lessons for students ranging from beginner to advanced Tailor lesson plans to fit students specific needs while working out of Guitar Center’s method book Help and converse with potential costumers on stores floor
Guitar Teacher
Jan 2017 - Jan 2018Aurora Entertainment, LLC
I provide lessons to students of all ages and ability levels. I also provide trial lessons for interested students who aren't 100% sure and I have performed for video content on their websites.
Substitute Guitar Teacher
May 2011 - Aug 2013Main Street Music
I was a substitute teacher, so I would cover lessons for teachers who took time off.
Education
Bachelor of Music in Music
Sep 2010 - May 2014UMass Amherst
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Awards
3rd Place Jazz Combo Competition
Mar 2014Villanova University Jazz Festival
1rst Place Jazz Big Band Competition
Mar 2014Villanova University Jazz Festival
Outstanding Performance
Mar 2009UMass Amherst
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