I’ve been playing guitar for over 45 years, starting with my father’s church music group as a teenager. As a music performance major in college, I studied theory, composition, and performance—and played in both my high school and college jazz bands.

Since then, I’ve performed with accomplished musicians like Martin Fierro (Quicksilver Messenger Service), played in Grateful Dead tribute bands across Southern California, performed in blues clubs in Bangkok, and played everything from church services to fundraiser concerts for community causes like the Cooks Corner benefit.

I’m currently active in two bands—Fez (jazz/funk/jam) and Sonic Space (funk rock)—because I believe the best teachers are those who are still out there playing and learning.

That background gives me something most guitar teachers don’t have: I understand both how to play and how to teach music in a way that actually makes sense.

I genuinely care about each student’s progress. My goal isn’t to churn through lessons—it’s to help you become the guitarist you want to be, whether that means playing campfire songs with friends or soloing over complex chord progressions.

Continuous Learning from the Best

I’ve studied with world-class guitarists including:

• Allen Hinds – Musicians Institute instructor, session legend (Natalie Cole, The Crusaders)
• Jeff Richman – Berklee-trained fusion master with decades of jazz-fusion recordings
• Mike Miller – Chick Corea’s Elektric Band, genre-bending virtuoso
• Jon Herington – Steely Dan’s guitarist since 1999

During COVID, I participated in monthly masterclasses where Jon Herington and Allen Hinds personally critiqued my playing. That’s the level of knowledge I bring to your lessons.

• Electric and acoustic guitar
• Lead and rhythm styles
• Music theory (optional, but it’s a game-changer)
• Song interpretation and building your personal repertoire