MY GENERAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
Firstly, I believe there is no “one size fits all” method for teaching music or guitar - everyone is different
and everyone’s goals are different. So I start by trying to understand each student; what kind of
learner are you - visual, kinesthetic or auditory? What are you looking to get from your musical journey
- do you want to be able to play some tunes for fun, do you want to play in a group or write your own music or
be a professional musician some day? Whatever your reasons for wanting to learn music are, they are valid -
music is good for us! As your teacher, understanding how you learn and what you want to learn is the basis for
how I will structure your lessons so I can best help you reach your goals in an effective and timely manner.
A NOTE FOR INTERMEDIARY STUDENTS:
When we begin studying any subject our learning curve starts out very steep because there is so much
to learn, also because beginning concepts tend to be accessible to most people and because we can study
using the same old patterns that we’re used to and get good results. In other words, most people will put
in some time and effort and get good returns for their time - no real need to think outside the box at this
stage. As we progress and get more advanced, our studying or practicing yields diminishing returns and it
can be challenging to experience a new break-through; it can take longer to break new ground and, when
we do, we take smaller steps than we did at the beginning. This is common in all areas of study and it’s
no different with music or guitar - we tend to fight much harder to get closer to the top than we did to
make it halfway up the mountain. If you’re finding yourself in that halfway point and are having a difficult
time getting out of a plateau it might be time to work smarter not necessarily harder. Finding ways to get
out of your old thinking patterns become important here, I’ve done that for myself, successfully, and I can
help you do that for yourself too. So, first, let’s take some time and figure out how you learn, what your
old patterns are and what your musical goals are, once we know all of that I can tailor a plan that will best
fit you. This will include a practice schedule for each week, some short, mid and longer term goals that
will organize your time and energy, and some exercises and approaches that push you to think differently
than you normally do. I also hold office hours throughout the week, during which you can reach out to me
with any questions you might have.
WHY STUDY WITH ME?
What I bring to the table is:
*an extensive experience as a professional musician “on the field:” I’ve done world tours with major
artists for over 10 years, I’ve played TV and radio shows in the US and abroad, I’ve been featured on
major Hollywood films, I’ve been a studio musician for over 10 years, I’ve been nominated for a grammy
as a producer. For more details please see my About and Discography pages.
*an extensive experience as a teacher: I started teaching guitar when I was in High-School, I’ve had
private students consistently since then (for almost 30 years now), I’ve held regular teaching positions at
reputable schools teaching classes, ensembles and private lessons, I’ve taught masterclasses at the
university level in the US and abroad, I’ve been teaching remotely for many years as well and I’m
comfortable in that environment. For more detailed teaching experience, see below.
*Studying with me here, through my site, you’ll have a direct link to your teacher. You only have to pay me,
no one else is involved in this exchange (no institutions, staff, no infra-structure that I can’t handle myself). So
you’ll get a high-level, targeted education for less money than you would spend elsewhere.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Guitarist, Arranger at Tomplay, Av. C. -F. Ramuz 80 1009 Pully, Switzerland - 2020-2022
Created audio and video content for this educational app featuring transcriptions and improvisations
of popular music. Also created simplified versions of this material and presented it in gradually
increasing levels of difficulty - from beginner to advanced - so as to cater to a wide range of students.
Jazz Instructor at Shepherd University - permanently closed, Los Angeles, CA 2008-2010
Primarily worked as an ensemble director for a few different Jazz combos at the University.
He also developed and taught classes on the music of Stevie Wonder and a class on Brazilian
music (both with about 10-15 students), as well as taught private guitar lessons.
Guitar Instructor at South Pasadena Music Center, permanently closed, South Pasadena, CA — 2004-2008
Worked as a private guitar teacher for this conservatory, there were a few opportunities to
teach ensembles and small classes as well.
French-American Lyceum Kennedy, 225 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017 - 2003-2004
Worked as a general music and music appreciation teacher for their 2nd-grade classes. Taught
classes of about 15-20 students.
Substitute and masterclass experience - 2001-present
Has worked as a substitute teacher and done masterclass presentations at many notable
institutions including UCLA, USC, CSUN, UNM, PCC, LACHSA.
EDUCATION
-University of California, Los Angeles, BA in Ethnomusicology, Los Angeles, CA 1995-1999
*Studied under legendary Jazz musicians Kenny Burrell, Billy Higgins, Harold Land,
Gerald and Anthony Wilson, Tom Ranier
-Lynbrook High School, San Jose, CA, 1993-1995
-Colégio Santa Clara, São Paulo, Brazil, 1989-1993
-Colégio Rio Branco, São Paulo, Brazil, 1983-1989