Guitar Instructor with over 40 years of teaching and performing e

Elijah G.

I graduated Temple University's "Esther Boyer's College of Music" with a BA in "Jazz Performance for Guitar." But I began teaching guitar to my friends in high school. This subsequently lead to my getting a job as a guitar instructor at Krills Music in Upper Darby Pa., while I was still in high school. It was also at this time that I began to performing and recording with various musical acts in the Philadelphia area.

Upon graduating high school, I began touring as a sideman. For the next 10 years I toured nationally and internationally with various musical acts. Upon returning to Philadelphia, I enrolled in Temple University. While in college several students were referred to me by the college staff. These were students who wanted to learn to play the guitar, but weren't attempting to obtain a degree. I was also performing in local clubs with various acts in the Philadelphia area.

In the early 2000's, I began teaching at S.C.I. Camp Hill. While there I taught 100's of students with varying degrees of musical experience. From the absolute beginner, to the highly advanced player, and everything in between. It was here that I began to refine my approach of combining "real world playing experience with musical instruction." After being there a few months, the students performed at their first recital. That recital lead to more interest in the music program from those in attendance. We signed up 32 more students that day! And those students already involved in the music program continued to flourish. For the next few years, I saw so many students become proficient.

Now more that 20 years later, I'm still using and refining this "real world playing experience meets the art of teaching" approach to create an environment of expectation and excitement, that fosters learning.