In Person Lessons
New Location!!!
After 11 years in a mill space, it was time for greener pastures. I think I’ve found it in Vernon, CT just down the road. Located at 500 Talcottville Road, Unit 5, Lower Level (within Big Dawg Home Improvement), there’s plenty of room to do everything we used to do, and more.
This tier is for access to my lesson plans: RENT Guitar 2, Guitar Primer & Guitar Journey Solo
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Private Lessons
From beginner to advanced, each student can count on a personalized approach to their learning style and goals. I’ve taught students of all ages and abilities, in different styles and genres, and helped them achieve more than they expected from themselves.
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Group classes
If you’re new to guitar, ‘Just Beginners’ Guitar Class is the best place to start. Fall, Winter and Spring sessions feature 8 45-min., weekly classes. Class size is limited to 4 participants ensuring plenty of guidance and opportunities to play.
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Performances
Recitals are a great way to share your talents with family and friends. The Strum Session is your monthly jam. The Cabaret is your moment to shine on stage playing in a band! Make Music Day and more!
Through the years…
Highland Guitar Studio 4.0
Highland Guitar Studio 1.0
Highland guitar studio 2.0
Highland Guitar studio 3.0
highland Guitar studio 3.5
I’ve always had a way of going my own way. So when the opportunity to create my own studio came up, I took it. My dear friend, Gus Guastamachio, had space within his drum studio to let, and it began. It was tiny. Most of my students had bigger bedrooms than this. But it was a start. His space in East Hartford was on Highland Street, and is the namesake of my studio. Later, when Gus purchased Dynamic Percussion, he moved the operation to Middle Turnpike in Manchester and I took up residence in the basement there. A bigger space made many things possible for Highland Guitar Studio 2.0: beginner classes, rehearsal space for new ensembles, video shoots, recitals. In 2015, Gus had made the hard decision to move his business back to Highland Street. I got so used to having room for everything that I struck out on my own. I found the perfect fit at the historic Hilliard Mills still in Manchester. This large complex has helped grow and defend America for over 2 centuries. For a while, it was home to just Highland Guitar Studio 3.0. Hardwood floors, high ceilings and bright windows with a view, showcase the potential of repurposing old buildings for small business.
But Covid, the killer of dreams and more, changed business once more. With an uncertain economic climate, how best to draw new clients? Aha! ART GALLERY!!! I already had works by Mark Rich, but with an SBA grant I could build a gallery within the space. As an exercise on how to spend taxpayer dollars, I sourced nearly everything, except maybe fasteners, from US manufacturers. For example, the channel struts that serve as mounts for the artwork are manufactured by Empire Industries just down the street. The result is a synergy amongst artists that provides an arts immersive experience when taking lessons and classes, or Open Studio Sundays at Highland Guitar Studio 3.5
The Saga continues…
Making it in the music biz isn’t easy, especially in the post-Covid economy. So when the lease was up for HGS 3.5, it was time for a change. A new space in Vernon was just what I needed. There’s enough room for all the different lessons, classes and events; costs are lower; and the visibility of Rt. 83 will get the studio noticed. Here’s to new adventures in the new space!