History
Mike taught his first guitar lessons as a 16 year old in his native Sunnyvale, CA in 1999 to save up money to study music in college. As a music student at Brigham Young University in Utah, Mike was hired by the BYU School of Music to teach private guitar lessons to players preparing to audition into the Guitar program, to students pursuing a Minor in music, and to other university students taking Guitar as an elective class. After graduating in 2007 Mike's teaching business continued to grow and develop alongside his career as a performer and recording artist as professors and department heads from his alma mater began referring him for gigs and sessions. Mike stayed in Utah for 11 years and became known as one of the most sought after guitarists in the Mountain West region. Mike never stopped teaching, and now having recently returned to the Bay Area has begun teaching at the iconic Los Gatos School of Music in beautiful downtown Los Gatos.
Specialties
Mike has a 15+ years of experience helping students at professional, collegiate, high school, and hobbyist levels set and attain their goals with guitar! Mike has a Bachelor's Degree in Media Music, and did Suzuki Teacher Training with the late music education icon Frank Longay. Mike brings his Professional Recording and International Touring experience to his teaching practice, and gives students a big-picture view of what's possible, while making the guitar approachable and fun! Mike's students have: *Earned undergrad and postgraduate degrees from major universities. *Performed nationally in professional bands. *Started successful teaching businesses and recording studios. *Auditioned successfully for High School and Jr. High Jazz Ensembles and combos. *Started their own bands, written, recorded, and performed their own songs. *Learned to practice effectively and push to new plateaus on their instrument while having fun and cultivating a life-long love of music!