Studying with Jack

Helping others to discover, explore, and fulfill their own musical aspirations is one of my deepest passions in life. The prime focus in the guitar lessons I teach is to help musicians cultivate a foundation of physical and mental ease while playing, in order to facilitate smooth, enjoyable, and consistent progress toward their musical goals.

*The Alexander Technique is a practice of self-awareness which trains students to use their bodies optimally and efficiently. The technique is a part of the curriculum at the Juilliard School of Performing Arts, the Boston Conservatory of Music, and the Royal College of Music in London.  It is also publicly endorsed by many prominent musicians including Paul McCartney and Sting. See more about the benefits of the Alexander Technique below or at the Alexander Technique page.

What is unique about taking lessons with me?

When I began teaching guitar lessons over a decade ago, I began by emulating the teachers who taught me. Through the years, however, I started to notice that students would often have physical and emotional blocks that prevented them from progressing at a rate of their full potential.

I eventually came to realize that my teaching approach needed to evolve to incorporate the psychological and physical aspects of musicianship. Study in both the Alexander Technique and personal counseling has allowed me to develop a method of teaching which includes a focus on these essential components.

I originally came to the Alexander Technique because I developed debilitating chronic wrist pain which forced me to stop playing guitar for a time. As I researched information about the pain I was feeling, I came to realize that a staggering number of long time musicians suffer from chronic pain from playing their instruments.

I came to learn that this was heavily due to these musicians (me included) learning to play without a focus on how to develop healthy physical and mental habits while playing and practicing.

As I began to retrain myself to play utilizing the principles of the Alexander Technique, I discovered that playing in this new way led my chronic wrist pain to disappear, as well as to bring about greater freedom, ease, speed, and an overall much superior musical sound. I also noticed that I began to experience significantly less performance anxiety and to progress toward my musical goals at a much more rapid pace.

Since I began incorporating a strong focus on these principles into my teaching, I have witnessed each of my students making similar connections and progress for themselves.

Credentials

I have been playing guitar for over 20 years and teaching for the past 12. I have played in several bands, performing both in the U.S. and internationally.

I am AmSAT certified as a teacher of the Alexander Technique and hold a masters degree in mental health counseling.

Spirituality has long been a core tenet of my life and I have taught classes in meditation and mindfulness skills to people of all ages.

"Learning with Jack has been an absolutely transformational experience. I've been making more progress with guitar in 2 months than I had in the whole 6 months prior to learning from him -- And the effects are spilling out into the rest of my life. Jack's lessons have changed the way I use my body at work, in the gym, and dealing with daily stress."

-Dante Doig-Acuña

"Jack is a great teacher. His unique approach gets beyond the surface level, addressing the physical and mental blocks that stand in the way of improvement. He'll put you on the right track to both play better guitar and feel good doing it."

-Dane Schneider

To schedule your first lesson or to inquire about more information, please fill out the form below:

"Music is the language of the soul.  It is the voice of our planet in dialogue with the universe."

-Marlo Morgan