Why I became a Musician/Instructor

My music biography - in a nutshell.

I grew up in Racine, Wisconsin. I started my first guitar lesson when I was 13 years old in 1976. I began my lessons at a music store three blocks away from my parents house. My teacher was Tony Collova. I took lessons with Tony for about two and half years. By the time I was 15 years old, I was playing in bands with my friends. When I got into high school, I started playing the bass guitar in the school jazz band, under the direction of Al Clausen. For the next three years of high school, we played several shows and concerts all over Racine. The experience I gained from playing in front of audiences, became the motivation to become a practicing musician.

After I finished high school, I went on to join several bands around Racine. In 1988, I moved to Orlando, Florida. I worked at Orlando International Airport for many years until I left the airline industry in 1996 to begin teaching guitar lessons full-time at the (then) Thoroughbred Music Store on Lee road in Orlando. I also began teaching in-home lessons to students who could not or did not want to take lessons at the music store. Thoroughbred was bought out by Sam Ash Music a couple of years later. I continued teaching at the music store until 2000-2001. I moved my classes to a rented room at a local church a few miles away. I continued teaching at the homes of my students.

In 2004, I began teaching lessons at a school facility near Sam Ash music on Lee road, called All About Music. A second facility was opened a few doors down from the Sam Ash on East Colonial drive, and I became the primary guitar lessons director for that facility until the summer of 2005. I discontinued working at music facilities and began scheduling all of my lessons in the home of my students. For me, this was a much more appealing way of doing lessons.

In the 26+ years I have been a guitar teacher, I have instructed well over a thousand students all over Orlando and Central Florida. I have always enjoyed meeting eager, new students who want to learn how to become better practicing instrumentalists. Teaching lessons in the holes of my students, helps put any anxieties the student might have about doing lessons at ease. My students love that they can have me come out to their house and teach them how to play the guitar in the comfort and privacy of their own home.

I have been a musician/instructor for most of my life. I have played in countless bands, music and studio projects all over Southeastern Wisconsin, Central and Northern Florida as well as South Beach in Miami, and Colorado and Los Angeles. I have been a well-versed musician/instrumentalist for 46 years, and I take all of that experience and know-how to each and every one of my lessons.

My styles of music include but are not limited to: Rock, Pop, Blues, Country and Jazz. I do not instruct Classical or Metal Guitar lessons. Lessons will also include learning how to sing with your guitar. Every guitar player must learn how to sing. I make it easy and enjoyable. I want your lessons to be fun and interesting. Maybe you are interested in learning how to play your favorite songs, or perhaps you want to learn how to write your own songs. I show you how these things can be accomplished with practice and motivation.

Call or Text me today (407) 252-8460 and let's get you started on your lessons!