About me...
I am a local West Auckland guitar teacher, teaching from my home studio in Henderson. I offer lessons in acoustic, electric and classical guitar to students of all ages and abilities. I've been teaching privately for 4 years, and in a typical week I have about 20 students. I have also taught in primary schools, and I am currently a tutor for the community education programme at Rutherford College.
I have been playing guitar for over 30 years. I didn't take up the instrument until I was at university, so I like to encourage my more mature students that late blooming is very possible!
I like pretty much the whole range of musical styles, from classical guitar music to the classic sounds of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. And having a son who is a talented teenage drummer and Guitar Hero virtuoso helps me keep up to date with the best of modern music!
This influences my teaching. Many guitar skills are common to all guitarists, no matter what kind of music they choose to play. A good classical guitar finger picking technique can help with some heavy metal Metallica music. So I try to draw on a wide range of music resources. My goal is not to teach songs, but to teach the guitar; to equip each of my students with the skills they need to play the music they most enjoy, whatever that may be.
I also enjoy song writing. I have been a member of a West Auckland song writing group. I read science fiction books by the dozen, and I play social squash. I am a member of my local church's worship team, and love to explore creative expressions of spirituality. For example, I have been part of an EasterArt event where church members were invited to express the meaning of Easter in a shoebox. It was stunning to see the church turned into an art gallery for a weekend, with so many moving and creative images contributed.