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Jonathan Cabral
Distance: mi
(4) 30 Min:
$116
(4) 60 Min:
$210
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Guitar Center Merrillville 2108 E. 80th Ave. Merrillville, IN
Meet Jon, an instructor who brings over 20 years of musician experience and a philosophy of iron-clad discipline to his lessons. He is a high-level specialist in Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Scream Vocals, and Music Production. Jon's expertise is vast, spanning metal, rock, and funk, with specialties in songwriting, arranging, slap bass, and speed technique. Though he can cater to hobbyists, he is uniquely suited for intermediate to advanced students looking to refine their skills. His musical journey began with classical piano, and that early training forms the precise, foundational approach that underpins all his teaching today. Jon holds a degree from Valparaiso University and has served as a lead vocalist and guitarist in multiple bands, drawing influence from legends like Randy Rhodes, Lamb of God, and Jamiroquai. Jon’s teaching philosophy revolves around empowerment: he wants to replace "I can't" with "I don't know how yet" for every student. He encourages deep exploration and musical expression, focusing on unlocking true potential. This drive for personal growth is mirrored in his life outside the studio, where he works as a personal trainer and has competed nationally in Strongman. This discipline guarantees that every lesson is focused and results-driven. If you seek an instructor with the knowledge, discipline, and passion to guide you from beginner concepts to advanced performance techniques, Jon is prepared to lead your musical transformation.
Jerry Jacinto
Distance: mi
(4) 30 Min:
$116
(4) 60 Min:
$210
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Guitar Center Merrillville 2108 E. 80th Ave. Merrillville, IN
Jerry is a dynamic instructor specializing in Guitar and Voice, delivering almost 20 years of musician experience and a deep commitment to performance versatility. His expertise spans rock, funk, jazz, and blues, underpinned by a degree in Music Business and Performance from South Suburban College. During his studies, Jerry sharpened his skills in collegiate jazz orchestra, choir, and an a cappella group, ensuring a well-rounded foundation. Professionally, he is a highly versatile musician, playing guitar and singing in three successful cover acts that require mastery across funk, pop, rock, and Top 40s hits, alongside his role as the frontman for his original project. In the classroom, Jerry’s philosophy is built on replacing doubt with confidence, viewing "mistakes as a stepping stone" to success. He helps students unlock their potential through deep analysis of their favorite musicians (including influences like St. Vincent, Frank Zappa, and Cory Wong). His lessons focus on instilling a comprehensive understanding of improvisation, music theory, and technique building. By embracing musical expression and creativity, Jerry empowers every student to confidently explore their instrument and evolve from where they are to where they want to be.
Jared Kingery
Distance: mi
(4) 30 Min:
$116
(4) 60 Min:
$210
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Guitar Center Merrillville 2108 E. 80th Ave. Merrillville, IN
Jared is a dedicated Guitar instructor with over 10 years of musician experience who is passionate about both the mechanics and the emotional impact of music. Jared holds a degree in Audio Engineering from Ball State University and is currently furthering his education by pursuing a degree in Music Therapy from Valparaiso University, a pursuit that deepens his already deep appreciation for tone, technique, and musical exploration. He specializes in a diverse range of styles, from metal, rock, and blues to jazz, making him highly equipped to coach players from beginner to advanced levels. As the current vocalist for an active metalcore band in Indianapolis, Jared’s teaching is informed by real-world performance demands. His philosophy is centered on building a well-rounded player. Lessons emphasize the mechanics of playing—drilling technique and tone—while also pushing students to explore new genres and musicality, even in styles that don't traditionally center around the guitar. By studying his diverse influences (like Trivium and Killswitch Engage alongside blues theory), Jared ensures his students not only master their instrument but develop the adaptability and curiosity needed for lifelong musical growth.
Christian Paris
Distance: mi
(4) 30 Min:
$116
(4) 60 Min:
$210
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Guitar Center Merrillville 2108 E. 80th Ave. Merrillville, IN
Christian is an energetic and dedicated Drum instructor with over 10 years of musician experience and a passion for heavy, groove-focused music. His performance expertise spans a powerful range of styles, including psychedelic rock, blues, metal, classic rock, and grunge. Having played in bands since a young age, Christian is currently the drummer for an active hardcore band, ensuring his teaching is always informed by real-world precision and stage presence. His diverse influences—from the foundational rock of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix, to the heavy, hard-hitting power of Slipknot and Soundgarden—showcase a commitment to both history and modern intensity. Christian's teaching philosophy centers on translating a student’s passion into a practical, repeatable skill set. Lessons emphasize in-depth song learning, helping every student achieve proficiency in their favorite material as a foundation. From there, the curriculum shifts to applying those learned techniques to help students discover their own rhythmic voice and grow their personal drum vocabulary. Christian’s ultimate goal is to empower students to apply learned skills to their own original playing, fostering the confidence and technique needed for lifelong musical expression.
Jamie Cruz
Distance: mi
(4) 30 Min:
$
(4) 60 Min:
$
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Guitar Center Merrillville 2108 E. 80th Ave. Merrillville, IN
Jamie is a highly accomplished instructor specializing in Voice and Piano. She brings over 10 years of singing experience and 5 years of piano study to her lessons, complementing her current studies in Music Business and Audio Engineering at Elmhurst University. Jamie offers a diverse musical education: her piano expertise is rooted in Classical technique, while her vocal mastery spans Pop, R&B, Gospel, Classical, Jazz, and Latin Jazz. Her skills are further enhanced by her fluency in Spanish, French, and Italian, allowing her to coach students in specialized foreign language repertoire. Drawing inspiration from modern artists like Lauryn Hill, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish, Jamie is equipped to guide students through both technical rigor and contemporary vocal nuance. Jamie’s teaching philosophy focuses on empowering students to become confident and expressive performers. Her methodology begins with building a strong physical foundation through essential breathing techniques and mastering the ability to find pitches confidently. Lessons incorporate in-depth analysis of songs to help students understand the musical structure and emotional narrative of their pieces. By blending technical exercises with analytical exploration, Jamie helps every student effectively unlock their unique voice and develop their authentic, lifelong artistry.
Gabriella Winchell
Distance: mi
(4) 30 Min:
$
(4) 60 Min:
$
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Guitar Center Merrillville 2108 E. 80th Ave. Merrillville, IN
Gabriella is a dynamic vocal instructor bringing over 15 years of performance experience to her students. She built her strong foundation through extensive participation in choirs throughout her schooling, followed by musical studies at Columbia College. Her versatile expertise covers a vibrant spectrum of contemporary genres, including Pop, R&B, Alternative, Rock, Soul, and Jazz. Gabriella remains deeply connected to the current music scene, actively leading her own solo project (where she sings and occasionally plays piano) and freelancing with various local bands. Her broad performance style is influenced by icons across eras, such as Ariana Grande, Michael Jackson, Florence + the Machine, The Weeknd, Taylor Swift, Parcels, and Paramore. Gabriella's teaching philosophy centers entirely on fostering confident, expressive, and vocally healthy artists. The core of her lessons involves dedicated work on maintaining vocal health, developing unique tone and timbre, and improving vocal agility for nuanced performances. She places significant emphasis on mastering style and inflection to bring authenticity to any genre, and helping students comfortably discover their full vocal range. Most importantly, Gabriella creates a supportive environment that encourages experimentation, stressing that the key to growth is not being afraid to make mistakes or try something new.
Ben Haavig
Distance: mi
(4) 30 Min:
$
(4) 60 Min:
$
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Guitar Center Merrillville 2108 E. 80th Ave. Merrillville, IN
Ben is an experienced instructor teaching both Guitar and Bass, bringing over 10 years of musician experience and deep technical knowledge to his lessons. As the current frontman and guitarist for an active melodic metal band, Ben’s expertise is rooted in performance and theory across metal, hard rock, classic rock, and progressive rock. He specializes in advanced techniques, including intricate picking mechanics and playing extended range instruments (7 and 8-string guitars). His influences, which span from Trivium and Megadeth to Between the Buried and Me, reflect his commitment to complex, dynamic musicianship. Ben’s teaching philosophy centers on fearless musical exploration. He encourages students not to be afraid to explore other genres and techniques to become truly well-rounded players. Beyond mastering riffs, he actively fosters creativity in his students, inspiring them to write their own music and find their authentic sound. Whether you're interested in aggressive metal shredding or simply want to understand the foundational techniques of rock, Ben provides the practical guidance and creative spark needed to elevate your playing.
Tristan Slavin
Distance: mi
(4) 30 Min:
$116
(4) 60 Min:
$210
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Guitar Center Merrillville 2108 E. 80th Ave. Merrillville, IN
Tristan is a versatile force on both the Drums and Guitar, bringing over 20 years of musician experience and a passion for deep musical understanding to every lesson. While drums were his first love, he quickly mastered the guitar, leading him to earn a Music Education degree from Ivy Tech. He possesses a remarkably strong background in music theory—honed during his time as a high school jazz band guitarist—which forms the precise foundation of his teaching approach. Tristan is well-versed in genres from punk, rock, and metal to jazz and blues, with a special focus on songwriting and arrangement. He excels at instructing hobbyists and players from beginner to advanced levels. As an active member of the local scene, Tristan currently serves as the frontman and guitarist for a punk band, and has a history of playing lead roles in diverse projects ranging from blues rock to progressive rock. This active performance schedule ensures his teaching is grounded in real-world application. His philosophy centers on a personalized learning experience, where he drives students to challenge themselves—but always in a fun, engaging way. Tristan holds you accountable for your growth, tailoring lessons to your individual abilities to ensure you constantly improve and achieve more than you thought possible.