Banjo Lessons & Classes in Brighton

tronic keyboard, in the lessons.
Bass Guitar: I teach rock, pop, funk, and country music on bass.
Banjo: I teach bluegrass, country, and some blues and rock music. I also play and teach old-timey frailing/clawhammer style.
Ukulele: I play and teach all styles of ukulele.
English and Reading: I am highly qualified to tutor/teach English (spoken, written, and reading comprehension) to both native English speakers and to those learning it as a second language.
*** I am particularly good at working with children who have a.d.h.d. and other learning disabilities!

A typical lesson begins with a warm up and review of last weeks' lesson, and then moves to a new concept or technique. Once this new idea is understood, we give it a practical application by using it a song the student is familiar with. We finish up by setting some homework and answering any questions the student my have.

My lessons are structured and goal orientated (I want my students playing songs they love as soon as possible to keep the inspiration and excitement going!) but I adapt each lesson plan to suit the student, accommodating different musical tastes and learning styles. Most important I keep the lessons fun and engaging - it's the best way to learn!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Fulling equipped, professional teaching studio.
Guitars, drums, amps, PAs, Pianos, Mandolins and much more!

*** Specialties ***
Very versatile both in preferred styles and my ability to adapt to students requests. Can cover anything from jazz to metal, or pop to blues, on guitar, bass or drums.

y to play percussion in the school symphony while at the same time developed an intense interest in the instrument that would become my true love, the guitar.

During 1996-98 I studied jazz guitar at the New World School of the Arts music program under the direction of J.B. Dyas and Dr. Roby George. Upon graduation, I was immediately accepted to the University of Miami jazz guitar program under the direction of Randall Dollahan. It was during this time that I also refined my skills as a classical guitarist and as a composer/arranger. In addition, I began passing my knowledge onto friends and eventually began working as a teacher.

My ability to play almost any genre of music is the fruit of past experience playing with an impressive variety of music groups, including jazz combos, symphony orchestras, Andean world music ensembles, and several rock and pop groups as well. As a studio guitarist I have recorded for various artists including Jaci Velasquez, Carlos Ponce, Alexandre Pires, and Noelia.

*** Lesson Details ***
Now also available to teach online video chat lessons through Skype.

Every one of you is unique and there are many possible paths to reach your goals in music.

With my background and music industry experience, I am able to customize my lessons for you so that you can reach your desired goals. We will take some time to find out where your passion lies in music and I will use my experience and knowledge to create a customized lesson-plan that will allow us to focus on reaching your desired goals and at the same time maintain a well rounded music education.

I find this to be key in making the lessons and your practice sessions very enjoyable, fun and laid back - knowing that everything we practice, play and talk about is in line with your goals as a student.

I will also be playing along with you and demonstrating everything that we're working on - music is meant to be shared and played with others and it is important to have that experience of interaction from early on in your lessons.

So whether it's learning to accompany yourself or others, write songs, read music, understand harmony, solo, or just jam out to your favorite songs, you will be well on your way to reaching your goals within 6 months of my lessons.

Look forward to making music with you!

Want to learn a quick exercise for mastering the fretboard on your guitar? Check out my article on the TakeLessons blog here: http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-fretboard-chart

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room w/ grand piano and seating for parents.
Room/studio with professional recording equipment - Logic Pro X recording software, Mackie HR824 Studio Monitors, Miktech C4 Tube Microphone, UA6176 Preamp/compressor, Apogee Duet D/A converter.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide my instrument and teaching materials.
Students provide their instrument, music folders.

*** Specialties ***
All styles - pop, rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, ethnic, latin, soul

lessons are taught in the music room in the home which includes an 88 key weighted keyboard, 5 guitars, 3 amps

*** Travel Equipment ***
If I go to their house, I expect them to have their own instruments that they practice on during the week, a metronome, a tuner and the music books they are working on.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in jazz, rock and classical music. I usually allow the students or their parents to choose their method books based on their interests and goals.

es, from beginners to advanced; from young children to adults.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music studio, f/w keyboard, and all other instruments he teachers, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
Student should provide instrument, stand. I will provide my own instrument (except piano).

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki for violin (I'm comfortable with other methods, too)

vading the American music scene. I grew up in New Jersey, performing in rock bands until becoming interested in classical guitar. With New York City only a short bus ride away, I spent as much time as possible in the city, studying guitar with Russian born Classical Guitarist, Dr. Alexander Bellow, and Jazz Legend "Bucky" Pizzarelli. During this time, I attended recitals of such notables as Andre Segovia, Julian Bream and John Williams. Being immersed in this musical scene inspired me to make music my life.

Earned a degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, where I studied under the direction of guitar pedagogue, Richard Provost. While at Hartt and shortly after, I performed in numerous Master Classes for internationally acclaimed artists such as Manuel Barrueco, Christopher Parkening, Oscar Ghiglia, Michael Lorimer, and Carlos Barbosa-Lima.

I have taught guitar at the college level for over twenty years teaching on the music faculties of University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Stetson University, Bethune Cookman College, Florida Southern College, and St. Leo College. I taught private guitar lessons, class guitar, and guitar ensemble

I have appeared hundreds times at Disney and Sea World as well as other venues around Central Florida. My experience includes performing solo and in small groups. I have also performed with rock groups, stage bands, folk groups, classical ensembles, jazz combos, Broadway shows, operas, as well as solo recitals, and concerto appearances.

Throughout the years I have had many unique experiences while performing. One of my favorites being the opportunity to play the MASH theme song for Alan Alda as well as other stars in attendance at a cast party for the TV show, Win, Lose or Draw at EPCOT Center.

Although I enjoy performing, I considers teaching music to be highly gratifying. The importance of giving students a good foundation with the proper technique and performance skills cannot be underestimated. When a student can play a song from beginning to end with style and confidence you know you've given them a gift that will offer them enjoyment for the rest of their lives.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Ipad apps, music stand, instrument stands, tuner, metronome, amp, chairs,

*** Specialties ***

Fingerstyle- Classical, Fingerstyle Jazz, Folk, Celtic.

Pickstyle- Rock, Blues, Jazz.

sity of Illinois, specializing in Ethnomusicology (the study of music of different cultures). This education gave him a strong background in music theory and history in the Western tradition, but also opened him up to a vast experience of a diverse cross section of music from around the world. His insatiable love for learning new instruments started here, where he studied music from West Africa to Bali.

Currently Ryan is a co-lead singer, songwriter and stringed instrument player for the local band Distant Brothers, a folk rock band based out of Chicago. They play venues throughout the Midwest, with some of the notable venues being House of Blues, Metro and Cubby Bear in Chicago. Another highlight of his time with the band has been a collaboration with Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra, where he not only was able to play in collaboration with the orchestra, but joined in the arranging and conceptualization of some of the pieces played.