~ The Gang @ SoundCheck Music Center

STYLES
Acoustic Guitar - Beginning and intermediate all styles specializing in finger style
Electric Guitar/Bass - Beginning and intermediate –Pop, rock, blues, surf, alternative

BIO
I began my musical career at the ripe old age of 6, when I enrolled in the Milton Mann School of accordion. Over the next several decades I have studied the piano/organ, cello, voice, guitar/bass, and finished up my theory studies at Golden West College. I have been in the music business locally for over twenty years, both owning and operating a music store, and teaching. I had been teaching at Encore Music in Auburn for years, and gleefully moved my practice here when Soundcheck Music opened their doors. In addition to teaching, I handle much of the repair work done at Soundcheck.

METHOD
Each student will receive a course geared towards his or her personal goals. Although there is little argument as to the importance of music fundamental instruction—reading music, counting time, circle of fifth’s etc—I am a big proponent of immediate gratification in my approach to teaching. A lot of good music can be made, and a lot of fun can be had without reading a note of music. The theory will come in its due time, if interested.

Contact Sheldon: (530) 265-5241

LEARN HOW TO PLAY GUITAR FROM A PRO

Jay has taught hundreds of people over the past 40 years how to play the guitar. He also has written 12 guitar instruction books that teaches beginners to advanced students of all ages how to play the guitar.

Jay  was teaching guitar lessons  in Las Vegas to over 50 students a week for the past 7 years before he made his move to Grass Valley  in September of 2008. Some of the styles of guitar that he is teaching is Rock, Jazz,
Fingerpicking, Basic Chord Playing, and Country.

These are just a sample of the artists that Jay Lacy has played with and/or recorded with over his career:

I received my musical education at the Conservatoire de Lausanne, in Switzerland and have a teaching degree from that country.

I’ve been a resident of Nevada County with my husband and two sons, since 1984.  I started teaching about 17 years ago.

Besides teaching, I have been playing with the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra since 1990.  I play with the Twin Cities Concert Association, Auburn Symphony.

I am part of the Classic Strings Quartet (which plays for wedding, receptions, etc.) and play chamber music with different groups.

Don Parish has been playing guitar professionally since he was 15 years old. He started playing in bands in the SF Bay Area as a member of various orchestras in the 1970’s and 80’s. He received his undergraduate degree in guitar performance in 1985 from Bethany University and his Masters from San Jose State in 1988.

Don has performed as a member of the Denver Jazz Orchestra, and as a soloist for the Bay Chamber Symphony Orchestra. In addition to the many bands, Don has been the music director for 6 different churches in Bellingham WA., Healdsburg CA., Denver CO., Chicago, and Lambertville NJ.

Don is currently the lead guitarist for the Denny Russell Band (www.drbcountry.com), and is the staff guitarist at Twin Cities Church. Among Don’s other projects is a new band called Don Parish and Pretty Lies. He is available to teach guitar in all styles (rock, country, blues, jazz, and classical), piano, electric bass, and voice.

STYLES
• Guitar & Bass: Pop, Rock, Blues, Surf, Alternative, Folk, Finger-style, etc.
• Voice: Classical, Pop, Jazz, Choral, Worship, etc.
• Piano: Classical, Pop, Worship, etc.

BIO
I began playing guitar and singing at age 15. While attending Colfax High School and Sierra College, I played and sang at weddings and churches. I earned a B.A. in Music Education, Vocal Emphasis at Vanguard University in Orange County. As part of the Concert Choir and a select Band at Vanguard, I toured the U.S. as far as Carnegie Hall in 2002 and 2006. We also made stops in South Korea and China in 2005.

I have been teaching classroom music for Horizon Charter Schools for 3 semesters. I am currently the Music and Worship Arts Pastor at Foothill Church in Grass Valley.

METHOD
Everybody wants to play and sing well – memorization is not enough. Solid skills are necessary for everyone, and since many styles and skills are drawn from classical training and a solid foundation of music theory, these elements are part of my ongoing lessons. Theory is not the goal of learning, but making good music. You will be playing/singing AND learning about music at the same time. Whatever your style is, you will benefit from this approach.

I teach all ages, from Beginning through Intermediate levels. Whether you have set goals in mind, have had lessons before, or just want to start form the basics, I would love to teach you!

Contact Jon – (530) 320-7177 or jonsouza1@gmail.com

STYLES
Rock, Blues, R&B, etc.

BIO
I’ve been writing and performing since around 1970 with some “memorable” stints in Europe & Canada.

METHOD
I teach “How to teach yourself” by illustrating how music works.  Teaching is fun; learning should be fun as well.

I bring 14 years of guitar study to a skills coaching regiment that focuses thoroughly on expanding what you are capable of achieving on the guitar. I believe that the more diverse your playing is, the larger your audience will be. Through technical skill development, music appreciation, and basic music and scale theory you will see your horizons broaden. I have changed directions in my playing many times and often wished that I had spent more time developing playing styles and techniques that at that time seemed out of context. I have had great fun and seen a huge amount of satisfaction in both myself and my students through the services that I offer. Playing your instrument is supposed to be fun and is supposed to be something that brings you and the people around you happiness.

I have students of all ages and happily accept open minded individuals with specific goals in mind as well as first time students that want a very hands on approach to mastering their instrument. Tell me what YOU want to learn, keep an open mind and watch as you surprise yourself with what you can accomplish!