Music Lessons and Teachers
GUITAR, BASS, FOLK STRINGS
Damon Barnaby
Guitar, music theory, improvisation
Damon has been teaching guitar for twenty five years. He also regularly performs around town in a variety of settings and has been recording and writing professionally since the late 80’s. Damon studied at the University of Idaho and welcomes students of all ages.
Robert Klasky
Guitar, bass, and ukulele
Robert Klasky studied guitar theory, composition and arranging at the Royal conservatory. He has a vast performance experience including touring the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe. He has been teacher over 30 years, and believes that one of the most important aspects of learning to play an instrument is FUN.
Rich Brennion
Acoustic & electric guitar, pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, banjo, mandolin
Rich is a professional musician with over 30 years of playing experience in a myriad number of musical styles. Eight years ago Rich began accepting students in order to pass along the extensive knowledge he gained throughout his career, with a focus of shortening the learning curve for aspiring musicians. With an emphasis on the physical aspects of playing being the fastest way to learn, students from eight to eighty have come to appreciate his caring and patient teaching style.
Ryan David Green
Guitar
Ryan has toured and performed with Jason Mraz, Matt Nathanson, Train, Lifehouse, and many others. He has a degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has worked as a visiting artist teaching guitar to children in the OMA (Opening Minds Through The Arts) program. He teaches guitar to students of all ages and skill levels. Note: This teacher does not participate in our Two Free Lesson program.
Bill Ganz
guitar, bass, piano, voice, banjo
As singer/guitarist and leader of the Bill Ganz Western Band, Bill has been performing throughout the Southwest for many years. In addition to four CD’s and numerous independent projects as a studio musician, Bill has worked with Jeff Haskell from the University of Arizona and performed with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra on multiple occasions. Early years included study at the University of Nebraska (BA Ed) and University of Wisconsin (MST). Bill has been teaching locally for some thirty years and is recognized as one of Tucson’s finest active musician teacher/performers.
Toby Slade
Guitar, Bass
Guitar, Bass
Toby began teaching in 2007 has been playing guitar and bass for 17 years. In addition to private lessons Toby runs an afterschool program for guitar players. Students of all ages and abilities are welcome.
J.P. Thom-Gronachan
Guitar
J.P believes the primary benefit of private lessons is that you get just what you need at the pace that is best for you. He has more than 25 years of experience at breaking down music practicum and music theory into bite-size pieces for any student, whether that student is 8 years old or 80. Although J.P earned a B.A. in music from Arizona State University, his focus and background is in the non-conventional or ethno musicological fields such as folk strings and free reed areas.
Jeff Sanders
Guitar & Banjo
For more than twenty years Jeff has been showing students that they can successfully learn to play guitar. Both in individual settings and through his popular Pima Community College classes, Jeff encourages students to have fun while learning. Jeff is equipped for group and private instruction in his studio at Chicago Store, focusing on goal setting, the student’s desire to learn and tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Note: This teacher does not participate in our Two Free Lesson program.
Ryan Dustan
Electric Bass
Ryan hails from Washington State and has been playing bass for 23 years and studied under renowned Northwest jazz musician, Jay Mabin. He has been teaching since 2008 with a focus on technique, theory, and genre diversity. Ryan has played and recorded with numerous musicians and bands in the greater Seattle/Tacoma area as well as Tucson since relocating in 2012. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
VIOLIN
Bridget Keating
Violin, viola, voice, guitar
Bridget is a classically trained musician having studied at the Boston Conservatory. She holds an M. Ed degree from the University of Phoenix. In addition to being a singer/songwriter, Bridget has performed in a variety of musical styles: classical, pop and mariachi to name a few. She has shared a stage with Linda Ronstadt, Mariachi Vargas, and Rainer. She is also a member of the Tucson Professional Music Teachers Association. Bridget’s teaching style is relaxed, fun and tailored to you and/or your child’s favorite music.
Mariah McCammond
Violin
Mariah McCammond picked up her first instrument, the violin, at the age of 9. Coming from a strong classical background, with private instruction from some of Tucson’s best, including Anna Gendler of the Moscow Conservatory of Music; she now pursues her passions for both American and European folk music. Performing regularly in a wide variety of groups and settings. Her teaching style focuses on old world classical foundations with heavy emphasis on music theory and ear training. “I believe that every student has a different path to success and it is a great joy for me to nurture each individual’s gifts in order to help them discover that path.” Mariah has been teaching violin since 2010.
PIANO
Bev Phelps
Piano
Bev has a combined forty years of teaching and playing experience. She is Vice President of The Tucson Professional Music Teachers Association. Professional affiliations include National Federation of Music Clubs and Arizona Federation of Music Clubs. Her curriculum focuses on note reading, theory, ear training and piano performance. Welcoming students of all ages, beginning to early advanced.
BRASS AND WOODWINDS
Ben Tucker
All brasswind instruments
Ben Tucker has been teaching private students since 1986 and playing trumpet professionally since 1983. A former French horn and baritone player as well, he has taught all brass instruments at all levels from beginning through college and focuses on the unique needs and abilities of each student, no matter what the skill level. With degrees from The University of Arizona, Indiana University, and The University of Toledo, “Dr. Ben” has taught at Pima Community College, The University of Arizona, and Western New Mexico University, where he was Associate Professor and Director of Brass and Jazz Studies.
Brian Hicks
Saxophone
Saxophonist Brian Hicks plays regularly in the Tucson music scene and has performed with many notable acts including The Temptations, Linda Ronstadt, and Tito Puente Jr. In 2010 Brian won the University of Arizona’s annual President’s Concerto Competition performing Richard Rodney Bennett’s “Concerto for Stan Getz.” In 2011-2012, he toured with the show In the Mood: A 1940’s Musical Revue, traveling throughout the US and Australia. Brian also traveled to China twice with the University of Arizona Big Band. While attending the U of A, Mr. Hicks studied with Dr. Kelland Thomas and Professor Jeff Haskell. Brian currently plays lead alto for Big Band Express and performs regularly with Lonely Street Productions, The LoBros, and Duo Vibrato.