Hard to believe that a year ago I was still in Austin, Texas looking for a space to open a music school in Atlanta. Finding the right space was paramount to making Guitar Shed a reality. There were plenty of obstacles along the way: sound issues, neighborhood, square footage, rising cost of in-town real estate, design, parking, tenant mix and not to mention trying to make this all work across state lines.

After much investigation, I finally stumbled upon a landlord who was supportive of the arts and embraced my vision. It wasn’t until I moved in that I realized I also stumbled upon a neighborhood and community that supported my vision. A few months later, my wife and I purchased a home down the street from Guitar Shed in that same community. Kirkwood has welcomed us with open arms.

When we opened in mid-August, I started with one room and four students (most of them are still taking lessons now). I was teaching guitar, piano, ukulele and bass. Before I knew it we had a piano teacher. I can teach beginner piano, but it was a relief to have a true expert on board! After a couple of months, we had outgrown the one room and it was time to allow for simultaneous lessons. Next, another guitar teacher and voice teacher.

You all have probably noticed the new rooms at the Shed and we are expanding once again. For those of you who have been with us since the beginning, thank you! And for those of you that are just joining us we are happy to have you at the Shed. Learning is a two-way street and our students have inspired us in ways that make us want to be better teachers, musicians and students.

Fast forward to almost a year later and we’re getting ready for our second recital with a full night of music. Looking at the roster, I can’t help but notice the diverse mix of children and adults across multiple instruments and genres.

Looking forward to the next year at Guitar Shed and I can’t wait to see what is in store.

BEFORE…

…AFTER

As many of my students know, I have a very “song focused” approach to learning. Songs give us context to work on new techniques and skills and allow us to put theory into practice. They are also the vehicles for creative expression and an avenue to connect with the writer/artist.

One of the things I love most about teaching is that my students are constantly exposing me to new music. It’s been a while since I’ve posted what we are currently working on so here is a small sample of what we’re learning at the Shed….

  • 4 Non Blondeswordcloud-2
  • Adele
  • Albert King
  • Alessia Cara
  • Allman Brothers Band
  • Antonio Carlos Jobim
  • B.B. King
  • Beethoven
  • Bill Withers
  • Bob Dylan
  • Charlie Puth
  • Craig David
  • Dawes
  • Dire Straits
  • Elizabeth Cotten
  • Eric Clapton
  • Freddie King
  • George Harrison
  • Grateful Dead
  • Harold Arlen
  • Hayes Carll
  • Hiatus Kaiyote
  • Incubus
  • Janis Joplin
  • Jerry Garcia
  • Jewel
  • Joe Henderson
  • John Mayer
  • John Prine
  • John Williams
  • Johnny Cash
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Leon Bridges
  • Meghan Trainor
  • Muddy Waters
  • My Morning Jacket
  • Oasis
  • Otis Redding
  • Paul Simon
  • Pearl Jam
  • Pete Seeger
  • Peter Frampton
  • Pink Floyd
  • Portugal, the Man
  • Prince
  • Rage Against the Machine
  • REM
  • Rod Stewart
  • Ryan Adams
  • Steely Dan
  • Supertramp
  • The Beetles
  • The Buggles
  • The Flaming Lips
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Traffic