Private Lessons
I teach at Ted Brown Music (Tacoma Mall location), out of my own home, and in students' homes. I have been teaching guitar and ukulele lessons for 6 years. Contact me directly for rates and scheduling.
Methodology:
My primary goal is to guide students toward developing their relationship with the music they love: lessons are always oriented towards learning the songs and styles that students want to learn. While there are many techniques and best-practices, there is no one 'right answer' to the question of how to play the guitar.
Some things, however, are non-negotiables–students will learn to communicate with other musicians, learn the aural skills necessary to play by ear, and ready themselves for sharing their music with others, all in whatever capacity makes sense for their lives. More importantly, students will cultivate an independent awareness of what they are doing on the instrument–of how to listen to, notice, and (kindly) evaluate one’s own playing, with the end of finding one’s own path through the music.
Classes/Workshops
Outside of my work as a private instructor, I am a Master Teaching Artist at local arts non-profit Tacoma Arts Live. In my five years at TAL, I have led and written curricula for ukulele after-school programs; taught arts and wellness courses for adults, seniors, and servicemembers; and developed music-based social/emotional learning activities for classroom use. I have also researched and implemented strategies for working with students across the autism/ADHD spectrum.
I have taught workshops and led band clinics for learner's ensembles, including at the Panama Jazz Festival (2020) and at senior homes. Contact me directly for rates and scheduling.