Background
I have more than four decades of experience as an instructor of plucked strings, both in the US and abroad. Currently on the faculties of the Portland (Maine) Conservatory of Music and Colby College, from 1990 to 1996 I was lute instructor at the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp, Belgium.
For additional details on my teaching and performing experience, click HERE.
Lute and theorbo
My particular affinity in lute and theorbo literature is from 1600 to the end of the Baroque period, including: English Renaissance works of Dowland and contemporaries; Italian repertoire from Melii to the works of Zamboni; French works from Ballard to Robert de Visée; German repertoire from the Reusners through the late works of Silvius Leopold Weiss.
Classical guitar
My initial focus when starting to play classical guitar in 1980 was modern repertoire, from accompanying singers in the songs of Britten to the solo works of Villa-Lobos, William Walton, Manuel Ponce, and mid-Western composer James McGuire. I also played a great deal of Renaissance and Baroque repertoire on the instrument until I began playing the lute and shifted those works to the original instrument.
More recently, I have expanded my guitar repertoire to include the Spanish school of composers from 1850-1950, including Arcas and contemporaries and through the works of Tárrega students Miguel Llobet and Emilio Pujol.
Ukulele and mandolin
In addition to lute and guitar, I teach both ukulele and mandolin. We cover basic and advanced techniques and repertoire from the traditional to classical to pop. In the course of lessons, we also explore duet repertoire, much of it in my own arrangements.
Lessons
Lessons in the Greater Portland area are delivered through the Portland Conservatory of Music (registration required–click for more information). NOTE: I no longer teach in my home studio.
Lessons are also available on the Colby College campus in Waterville for private students for whom Colby is a more convenient location than Portland. For logistical reasons, lessons for private students on the Colby campus last 90 minutes, at a per-lesson cost of $125.
Remote students only: I am available for lessons via FaceTime. Please contact me for availability and rates.