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San Mateo
Guitar Center
San Mateo
53 W. Hillsdale Blvd.
Suite A
San Mateo, CA 94403-3424
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Lesson Hours
Monday 11:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 11:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 11:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 11:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 11:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 11:00am - 7:00pm
Store Services
  • Lessons
    Lessons
    From guitar and bass to drums, DJ, piano and more, our expert instructors can get you playing. We work to understand your passions and tailor one-on-one lessons to your schedule, goals and skill level.
  • Repairs
    Repairs
    From routine care and setups to custom mods and aesthetic upgrades, our skilled Guitar Repairs technicians can help you get the absolute most out of your gear—taking it from well-loved or factory-new to made just for you.
  • Rentals
    Rentals
    Need gear for a gig or tour? Guitar Center offers affordable rentals on a full range of equipment. Head to our Rentals department to grab quality speakers, DJ equipment, lighting, backline gear and more
  • Platinum Room
    Platinum Room
    Our Platinum Collection features the greatest selection of the finest guitars, basses and amps. Come in-store to fully experience the superior craftsmanship and tone of these top-of-the-line and custom shop models.
Store Services
  • Platinum Room
    Platinum Room
    Our Platinum Collection features the greatest selection of the finest guitars, basses and amps. Come in-store to fully experience the superior craftsmanship and tone of these top-of-the-line and custom shop models.
Store Specialties
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Guitar Center San Mateo Music Lessons

Music Lessons at Guitar Center San Mateo

Learning an instrument provides many benefits aside from gaining a new skill. It relieves stress, builds confidence and cultivates creativity. There is no better place to develop and hone your musical skills than music lessons at Guitar Center San Mateo

Whether you’ve never picked up an instrument before, or you’ve been playing for years and are looking to perfect your talent, Guitar Center offers the best music lessons near you for all skill levels. Our talented and experienced instructors come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds and are able to offer lessons for many different instruments. Some of our most popular music lessons in San Mateo include guitar, bass , drums, piano and vocal lessons.

Instructors at Guitar Center San Mateo
Nicolo Lodola
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Born and raised in Northern Italy, I discovered my passion for music as a teenager. At 14, I started learning classical guitar with my first teacher, Dario Tinivella, who introduced me to the fundamentals. As my love for guitar grew, I studied Blues and Jazz/Fusion at Lizard Music Academy with Fabio Casali, and later continued my training with Lorenzo Tipa at C.P.M. Milan before moving to the Bay Area. I consider myself a Rock and Heavy Metal guitarist, but I love incorporating the harmonic ideas I learned from Casali into my playing and compositions. My goal as an instructor is to help students find their own musical voice while building a strong foundation in technique and theory always in a fun and encouraging environment! I speak English, Italian, and Spanish.
Ron Keith
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Hailing from Philadelphia, Ron Keith’s musical journey began with singing in church and performing with the Philadelphia Boys Choir. As a teenager, he picked up the guitar and bass, eventually deciding to major in music at the University of the Arts. During his college years, he discovered a passion for piano, further expanding his musical horizons. Ron enjoys a wide variety of musical styles, including metal, jazz, rock, blues, and just about anything that resonates as “good music.” Influenced by teachers who emphasized the importance of keeping an open mind and ear, Ron has embraced this philosophy as both a performer and an instructor. Whether it’s Metallica or Motown, Miles Davis or Vince Gill, he believes in exploring great music and inspiring others to follow their passion.
Rodney Dudum
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Michael Owens
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Mike Owens has been playing guitar since the age of ten and brings over 30 years of teaching experience to his students. A graduate of Lewis & Clark College, he studied classical guitar under Scott Kritzer and honed his jazz guitar skills with Dan Balmer. Mike’s diverse musical background includes performing in rock, metal, jazz, fusion, and classical ensembles. While he primarily teaches rock, Mike specializes in fingerstyle guitar, a skill showcased in his 2006 fingerstyle guitar album. Over the years, he has performed extensively as a solo fingerstyle guitarist and as part of jazz duos with vocalists.
Samantha Conlon
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Robert Rodriguez
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Robert is our Online only Instructor born and raised in the SF Bay Area. Started playing guitar at 13 years old and it became my first true passion. After high school, attended Ohlone College in Fremont, CA studying music performance before moving to Cal State East Bay to pursue a BA in music composition. Has composed music for a feature film and many short films for filmmakers in the Bay Area, as well as performing in various rock bands, jazz combos, and even a hip-hop group.
Joshua Ray
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
My passion for drumming began in high school, where I built a strong foundation under the guidance of a championship-level DCI percussion staff in the marching band. After college, I expanded my skills to the drum set and started playing with my band, Circular Vision. With over 10 years of drumming experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with the Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps, further deepening my expertise and love for percussion.
Zachary Losel
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
David Jackson
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
David Jackson began his musical journey playing in church and has since accumulated 21 years of professional experience in Gospel, R&B, and Pop music. His career took off as a keyboardist for the Grammy Award-winning gospel duo Mary Mary. Over the years, he has earned production credits and collaborated with a diverse range of acclaimed artists, including Judith McAllister, Jonathan McReynolds, Lalah Hathaway, Tye Tribbett, Lena Byrd-Miles, Goapele, Rickey Minor, and Jennifer Hudson.
Kristen Cardiasmenos
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Kristen is a fresh, dynamic, and soulful guitarist with a versatile skill set spanning Funk, Rock, Blues, Latin, Jazz, and more. She honed her craft under the guidance of renowned musicians like Garth Webber (Miles Davis) and Stevie Gurr (Dr. John). Picking up the guitar at age 10, Kristen found early inspiration in the psychedelic blues sounds of Jimi Hendrix, whose music ignited her passion for creative expression. With years of experience and a deep love for diverse musical styles, Kristen brings energy and expertise to every performance and lesson.
Reddy Advincula
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Meet our talented musician Ra who brings our program more than 10 years of teaching experience and 20+ years of performing. Ra's extensive experience has earned them the chance to work alongside a variety of entertainers, including Audrey Mika, Dee Dee & Mix Co., Dream Wav Echoes, Gizmo Bros, Harmony in Sound, KWCI Band, Lamar Green, and Zhiyon Malay. DJing at clubs in Northern California such as San Francisco and San Jose and Southern California in Long Beach and Los Angeles, they have also participated in fashion shows hosted by Nordstrom, providing audio engineering and lighting production services. Beyond their current accomplishments, our musician aspires to collect and master 1000+ instruments. Ra has taught music theory and instruments in different churches around the Bay Area, with their ultimate goal being to build their own musical instruments in the future.
James Perez
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
With 15 years of drumming experience, Jimmy Perez brings energy and precision to every performance. He is a core member of Mondo Drag and Bolero and also plays in a Jimi Hendrix tribute band. Jimmy’s passion lies in Rock, Progressive Rock, and Classic Rock, with a particular love for the psychedelic sounds of the 1970s. His versatile style and dedication make him a standout in any musical setting.
Lorcan Krecek
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Lorcan Krecek (they/them) is a composer, improviser, and pianist based in San Carlos, CA. A recent graduate of Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, with a B.Mus in Contemporary Improvisation and a B.A. in Russian Studies, Lorcan’s creative and academic research paths include the convergences of movement, music, and mythologies. Their composition “dwellings + belongings” was performed at the New Music Gathering in Portland, OR last summer, and they have attended the Yarn/Wire International Institute and Longy School of Music’s Divergent Studio as a pianist. Lorcan is also one third of the Wisconsin-based experimental improv group Elm Trio. In addition to their work as a contemporary classical pianist and composer, Lorcan is active in the Bay Area musical theater scene, having mostly recently played keys for BAD Musical Theatre’s inaugural production of American Psycho.
Jessie Hong
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Jessie Hong has over six years of experience teaching music and other subjects, backed by more than 20 years in music with formal classical training in piano. Specializing in music arrangement and ethnomusicology, Jessie’s work spans across genres, although they most often perform in classical and pop settings. Jessie’s performance credentials include roles as a performer and arranger for the Queer Chorus of San Francisco, along with prior experience as a church musician, playing keys, guitar, and bass guitar. Their diverse background reflects a deep commitment to music as both an art and a field of study.
Daniel Loor
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Daniel is a multi-instrumentalist who has been performing for over 20 years. After studying guitar, he began learning bass, drums, piano, and vocals. Daniel has played for audiences from Seattle, Washington to Mexico City and currently performs in venues across the Bay Area. Most recently, Daniel has performed with the bands Chokecherry and Fauxes. Daniel specializes in Pop and Rock styles and techniques. He is knowledgeable about a variety of music subjects, ranging from Musicianship to Pop Rock Performance, and he has enjoyed teaching his fellow musicians in the community. In addition to having an excellent grasp of music concepts, he also has a patient and easygoing teaching style, making him an accessible educator for all ages and backgrounds. Daniel encourages students to excel and have fun throughout their musical journey.
Cesar Marquez
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Hi, I’m César Marquez! I’ve been playing guitar for 15 years and have spent the last two years focusing on music production. My passion lies in Rock, Metal, Progressive, and Pop, and I love helping students develop their skills and confidence on the guitar. As both a solo artist and a session guitarist for many Latin artists, I bring real-world experience into my lessons, giving students the tools they need to play with creativity and precision. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your technique, I’m here to make learning fun, engaging, and tailored to your musical goals. ¡Hablo español y estoy emocionado de ayudarte en tu viaje musical!
Brenna Bostwick
Distance: mi
Guitar Center San Mateo 53 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite A San Mateo, CA
Brenna Bostwick is a passionate music instructor specializing in piano and voice. She also loves to perform, especially in musical theatre and opera. She has starred in musicals such as The Little Mermaid as Ariel, and The Phantom of the Opera as Carlotta Giudicelli. She also has competed, winning multiple awards for her singing at talent competitions, such as BravO! Dance & Talent Competition, including First Place Overall, First Place in Category, and the coveted Velvet Voice award. With a degree in Music from Foothill College, and experience in teaching beginner students, she focuses on building skill, confidence, and a lifelong love of music in every lesson.
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Pickup & Play

At Guitar Center, we offer not only the best guitar lessons near you, but we also have music lessons in bass guitar, drums, piano, vocals, music producing and more. Whatever sound you are looking for, our professional instructors are ready to help you discover your groove. Take a look below at some of our favorite instruments and most popular lessons available at Guitar Center San Mateo.

Guitar Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Guitar Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Build finger strength and coordination, master chords, understand strum patterns and learn to find your unique sound with our guitar lessons. You’ll set the tone and define the attitude of the music.
Bass Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Bass Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Learn to play the bass guitar from our expert instructors. The bass is the heart and soul of music - hone the craft and essence of what it takes to be a bass player with professional bass lessons at Guitar Center San Mateo.
Drums Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Drums Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Drummers control the groove and energy of every song and performance. Discover the beat within you and learn what it takes to lead a band with our drum lessons.
Piano Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Piano Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Explore melodies and chords to help you build emotional power. You’ll have more range at your fingertips than with any other instrument.
Vocals Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Vocals Lessons in San Mateo, CA
Learn proper techniques and build self-confidence to be center stage. As a singer, you'll be a storyteller, and the bridge between the band and the audience.
DJ Lessons And More  in San Mateo, CA
DJ Lessons And More in San Mateo, CA
We also offer lessons on DJing, brass & woodwind instruments, music production and songwriting. Call 866-761-0244 for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each instructor customizes lessons to ensure you are learning what you like and having fun. Your instructor will start you slowly, introducing new concepts each week, plus give you exercises or easy songs to play to keep you learning at home.
Learning an instrument is an enriching and rewarding experience that creates lifelong benefits, including increased self-esteem and the boosting of memory. Additionally, benefits for school-age individuals can include improved coordination, the expanding of social skills, and higher scores in math, reading and language.
30-minute lessons allow young or beginner students to learn the basics of the instrument and start playing songs. 60-minute lessons are ideal for more advanced students looking to progress faster and focus on the finer points of technique.
This varies by age and the type of goals the student has set out to achieve. However, most new students usually spend 15–30 min. practicing daily, while advanced students can practice for an hour or more each day in between lessons.
Our flexible curriculum allows students of all skill levels to experience growth. We help create a foundational understanding of music theory through the style of music you want to play. Our instructors will work to understand your goals and passions, and make sure you are on the path to learning what you want at your own speed.
Our Lessons staff will work with you to determine your current skill level, stylistic interest and ambitions. We'll then help you choose an instructor who best suits your style and goals. If at any point, you'd like to change instructors, let us know. Our weekly monitoring of progress and wide-ranging curriculum means you can switch to any of our qualified instructors, or another instrument, without missing a beat.

Other Locations Nearby

  • 1645 Van Ness Ave.
    San Francisco, CA 94109-3608
    • Lessons
      Lessons
      From guitar and bass to drums, DJ, piano and more, our expert instructors can get you playing. We work to understand your passions and tailor one-on-one lessons to your schedule, goals and skill level.
    • Repairs
      Repairs
      From routine care and setups to custom mods and aesthetic upgrades, our skilled Guitar Repairs technicians can help you get the absolute most out of your gear—taking it from well-loved or factory-new to made just for you.
    • Rentals
      Rentals
      Need gear for a gig or tour? Guitar Center offers affordable rentals on a full range of equipment. Head to our Rentals department to grab quality speakers, DJ equipment, lighting, backline gear and more
    • GC Pro
      GC Pro
      Guitar Center Professional is a network of account managers and engineers with direct access to top manufacturers. From personal studios to concert venues, we design and install custom audiovisual systems sure to exceed your expectations.
    • Platinum Room
      Platinum Room
      Our Platinum Collection features the greatest selection of the finest guitars, basses and amps. Come in-store to fully experience the superior craftsmanship and tone of these top-of-the-line and custom shop models.
    • Vintage
      Vintage
      From rare finds to coveted classics, you never know what you’ll find in our vintage collection. Find that perfect instrument that was made decades ago and summon all the tone and vibe from that special moment in time.
    • Destination Drum Shop
      Destination Drum Shop
      Destination Drum Shop locations are staffed with drum specialists and have more professional kits, cymbals, snares, hardware and other drum essentials in stock—all on display and ready to play.
    • Pedal Station
      Pedal Station
      Whether you’re looking for that missing sound in your arsenal or building out an entire signal chain, this fully interactive station is a pedal paradise where you can mix and match iconic stomps from legendary brands with the most modern effects from boutique builders.
  • 5925 Shellmound St.
    Emeryville, CA 94608-1904
    • Lessons
      Lessons
      From guitar and bass to drums, DJ, piano and more, our expert instructors can get you playing. We work to understand your passions and tailor one-on-one lessons to your schedule, goals and skill level.
    • Repairs
      Repairs
      From routine care and setups to custom mods and aesthetic upgrades, our skilled Guitar Repairs technicians can help you get the absolute most out of your gear—taking it from well-loved or factory-new to made just for you.
    • Rentals
      Rentals
      Need gear for a gig or tour? Guitar Center offers affordable rentals on a full range of equipment. Head to our Rentals department to grab quality speakers, DJ equipment, lighting, backline gear and more
    • Platinum Room
      Platinum Room
      Our Platinum Collection features the greatest selection of the finest guitars, basses and amps. Come in-store to fully experience the superior craftsmanship and tone of these top-of-the-line and custom shop models.
    • Yamaha Experience Stores
      Yamaha Experience Stores
      Yamaha has been a transformative force in music for well over a century, crafting an unrivaled variety of innovative instruments. Check out an enhanced inventory of Yamaha gear, including exclusive and special-edition models you can’t play anywhere else.
    • Recording Room
      Recording Room
      Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your own home or project studio, or you need to compare the fine nuances between pro-grade mics, monitors and more, this location is specially outfitted with everything you need, including an immersive Dolby Atmos setup.
  • 3677 Stevens Creek Blvd
    Santa Clara, CA 95051-7355
    • Lessons
      Lessons
      From guitar and bass to drums, DJ, piano and more, our expert instructors can get you playing. We work to understand your passions and tailor one-on-one lessons to your schedule, goals and skill level.
    • Repairs
      Repairs
      From routine care and setups to custom mods and aesthetic upgrades, our skilled Guitar Repairs technicians can help you get the absolute most out of your gear—taking it from well-loved or factory-new to made just for you.
    • Rentals
      Rentals
      Need gear for a gig or tour? Guitar Center offers affordable rentals on a full range of equipment. Head to our Rentals department to grab quality speakers, DJ equipment, lighting, backline gear and more
    • Platinum Room
      Platinum Room
      Our Platinum Collection features the greatest selection of the finest guitars, basses and amps. Come in-store to fully experience the superior craftsmanship and tone of these top-of-the-line and custom shop models.
    • Pedal Station
      Pedal Station
      Whether you’re looking for that missing sound in your arsenal or building out an entire signal chain, this fully interactive station is a pedal paradise where you can mix and match iconic stomps from legendary brands with the most modern effects from boutique builders.
    • Taylor Experience Stores
      Taylor Experience Stores
      With innovative manufacturing and a masterful attention to detail, Taylor acoustics are widely considered among the best sounding and easiest playing guitars in the world. Check out an enhanced inventory, including exclusive and special-edition models you can’t play anywhere else.
    • The Roland Store
      The Roland Store
      The Roland Store at Guitar Center is a custom-designed space staffed with a dedicated specialist, handpicked for their expertise in Roland products. Contact us to schedule a private demo with any product from BOSS, V-MODA or Roland.
  • 2880 Dublin Blvd.
    Dublin, CA 94568-4589
    • Lessons
      Lessons
      From guitar and bass to drums, DJ, piano and more, our expert instructors can get you playing. We work to understand your passions and tailor one-on-one lessons to your schedule, goals and skill level.
    • Repairs
      Repairs
      From routine care and setups to custom mods and aesthetic upgrades, our skilled Guitar Repairs technicians can help you get the absolute most out of your gear—taking it from well-loved or factory-new to made just for you.
    • Rentals
      Rentals
      Need gear for a gig or tour? Guitar Center offers affordable rentals on a full range of equipment. Head to our Rentals department to grab quality speakers, DJ equipment, lighting, backline gear and more
    • Platinum Room
      Platinum Room
      Our Platinum Collection features the greatest selection of the finest guitars, basses and amps. Come in-store to fully experience the superior craftsmanship and tone of these top-of-the-line and custom shop models.