Chicago Guitar Teacher
I’ve heard it all before.
“I’m going to start practicing this week.”
“My teacher told me to work on these songs, but I just don’t connect with them.”
“I was doing great with my scales for a few days… then life got busy.”
“I know I’m not where I want to be musically, but I have no idea how to get there.”
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Almost every musician reaches a point where progress slows down and practicing starts to feel like something you shoulddo instead of something you’re excited to do.
I’ve been there myself many times. In fact, much of my career has been dedicated to understanding why musicians get stuck and how to help them break through those plateaus.
If you’re here, chances are something in you wants to make music at a deeper level. Creative people feel a responsibility to create. When we ignore that impulse, something feels unfinished.
My work as a music coach and guitar teacher in Chicago is about helping musicians close the gap between where they are and where they know they could be.
My approach to teaching is built on years of studying music at the highest levels of both performance and academic research.
I previously studied at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music, one of the most respected institutions for contemporary music performance, composition, and jazz studies.
Today I continue my academic work at Northwestern University, where I study music and research topics related to learning, creativity, and artistic development.
Throughout my studies I’ve explored areas including:
• advanced improvisation and jazz harmony
• modern and contemporary composition
• spectral and atonal theory
• music cognition and skill acquisition
• biomechanics of the hands and voice
• creativity and artistic psychology
But the real question behind all of this work has always been simple:
How do we help musicians unlock their full creative potential?
Education & Musical Background
Over the years I’ve worked with hundreds of students ranging from beginners to professional musicians.
Many of my students have gone on to:
• tour professionally
• release original recordings
• build careers as performers and songwriters
• pursue degrees at institutions such as Northwestern, Juilliard, Eastman, USC, UCLA, Princeton, NYU, and the University of Illinois.
However, the reason most musicians come to me isn’t because they want to learn obscure theory or extremely niche musical concepts.
They come because they’ve hit a creative wall.
Maybe their playing feels stagnant.
Maybe their practice routine stopped working.
Maybe they’ve taken lessons for years but still feel disconnected from their musical voice.
My role is to help you move past that.
Teaching Experience
My Approach to Music Lessons
I don’t believe in generic lesson plans.
Every musician is different: your goals, influences, strengths, and creative instincts all matter.
Instead of working through standardized workbooks, we build custom systems for practice, creativity, and musical growth.
Lessons often focus on areas like:
• building an effective and sustainable practice routine
• developing improvisation and musical language
• strengthening technique and physical efficiency
• improving songwriting and composition skills
• building confidence and creative identity as an artist
My goal isn’t just to teach songs.
My goal is to help you become the musician you’re capable of becoming.
Why I’m Selective With Students
I’m very intentional about the students I work with.
There are plenty of teachers who can show you a few classic rock songs for half the price, and I’m happy to make some fantastic recommendations if that’s what you’re looking for.
But the musicians who come to me are usually trying to solve deeper problems.
They want to grow as artists.
They want to understand their instrument more deeply.
They want to develop a real creative voice.
Those are the musicians I care most about helping.
Because when the right student meets the right guidance, the results can be extraordinary.
Work With Me
If you’re looking for guitar lessons in Chicago, advanced music coaching, or guidance to help you break through a musical plateau, I’d love to hear from you.
Reach out and tell me about where you are in your musical journey. Come take a free trial and let’s check in.
We have work to do.
