Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
I've played Piano and Saxophone in various rock, pop, and jazz groups and ensembles since I was 9 years old, and have experience performing in the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids areas as well as several towns in the Upper Peninsula. I specialize in teaching beginner Piano and Sax players as well as helping players perform in pop, rock, and jazz styles who may not have experience in those areas.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
Joel has a deep love for music and has played guitar for over 12 years. He started with classical guitar, but quickly grew a love for pop and jazz music. In high school, he played in jazz ensembles and became obsessed with writing his own music. It was this passion that led him to studying music composition at Calvin University. There, he was a member of the Jazz Ensemble and also accompanied the Calvin Gospel Choir. Nowadays, Joel lives in Eastown where he produces music for his solo project Dune Drama and plays at church and local gigs. Joel is also open to offering lessons in home recording and production. When not making music, Joel enjoys playing pickup soccer and pickle ball.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
Thaddeus started singing in children's choirs from the age of 5, and started developing a love of music from that time. Thaddeus has been playing Saxophone and other woodwind instruments for 24 years, Ukulele for 21 years, Guitar and Bass for 17 years, and Orchestra Instruments for 15 years. Thaddeus began teaching Ukulele at his local elementary school while he was still a high school student, and began teaching group lessons with Wheatland Music Organization and in local schools for both children as young as 5 up to adults of all ages shortly thereafter. Thaddeus enjoys assisting students discover and cultivate a love of music that will last a lifetime. Thaddeus has worked in the social work field for the past 14 years, and is comfortable working with students who are differently abled or neurodivergent with a trauma informed approach.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
Anthony was introduced to music in the 5th grade on the recorder. Throughout junior high and high school, he picked up saxophone. After high school, in 1979, Anthony put together an R&B group with his friends called the "Par-Llo Connection" where he played lead guitar. The Par-Llo Connection is still together today and is still actively performing. Anthony and his group have performed with a number of notable R&B groups who have come to Grand Rapids including "Switch", "The Barkays", and "Zapp & Roger". With over 45 years of experience playing guitar, Anthony is sure to provide a wealth of knowledge and expertise, especially for those interested in the R&B and Gospel genres. Anthony is a strong believer that practice makes perfect, and perfect practice makes excellence. As a student, you will get out of it what you put into it, and Anthony will set you up with the tools and resources you need to succeed in achieving your musical goals.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
Josh first picked up a Les Paul in 2009 and has been absolutely obsessed with guitar ever since. Over the years, Josh has picked up quite the wealth of knowledge pertaining to the instrument. He is an absolute knowledge hound, and makes it a mission to learn as much as possible. He has played in several bands, and actively jams, writes, and records with his circle of musician friends. He is a hobbyist by nature, with the knowledge, ability and technical skill to match that of a seasoned veteran. He is a very laid-back, down to earth guy with the ability to get along with anybody. In his lessons, the "fun factor" is albeit a guarantee. He can teach you how to strum, serenade, and mostly shred on whatever you want. he will specifically tailor a lesson plan according to your specific goals as a guitarist. His main priority is to make sure the student is achieving consistent growth and improvement, while simultaneously making sure you're having a great time.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
Erika began playing music at around 9-10 years old. She 'bounced" around from instrument to instrument until she found her love playing drums. However, her very first instrument was the piano, as she grew up with one in her grandmother's home. Throughout elementary and middle school, she participated in the school band, eventually finding an interest in the tenor saxophone. When she transferred high schools, she continued to play sax until she found a love for the drum line, switching from tenor saxophone to snare drum. While "bouncing around" from instrument to instrument throughout high school, Erika was very active within her church's Youth Ministry, playing keys along with other young musicians. Her love for music somehow led her to pick up a bass guitar, and the bass would become her primary love. She played bass for the Michigan Gospel Chorale while attending the University of Michigan. However, she stopped playing music altogether when she moved out of Michigan for graduate school. She moved back home and started played music once again. Since returning in 2010, she's played for the Festival of the Arts, productions with Circle Theatre, the G.R. Foodie Fest, and numerous other events around West Michigan. She's a faithful member of her church's band.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
Riley Hughes began his music career playing the guitar in the small town of Montague,
Michigan. At an early age, his father introduced him to bands like Led Zeppelin and Metallica,
which had inspired his original aspirations of becoming a lead guitarist in a rock band, however,
he quickly realized he could land more gigs as a solo act which is when he took on the
coffeehouse rock singer/songwriter approach. Riley began writing his own acoustic songs more
so in the style of Jack Johnson and John Mayer as they were better suited for his vocal range.
He soon found the creative process of writing songs to be more artistically fulfilling than
performing them, which is when he decided to pursue a career in music composition.
This newly found passion took him to Chicago where he earned a Bachelor of Music in
Composition from Columbia College Chicago. During his time there he studied several styles,
theories, and techniques of the western tradition with a contemporary perspective, and took part
in the city’s deeply rooted blues and jazz, singing in a vocal jazz ensemble. After many works
and performances in a stylistic crossroads of worlds, he decided the next step in his journey
would be taking his music from the concert hall to the big screen.
In 2012, Riley went on to fuse another passion he had held close since his childhood which was
the magic of movies and went to Valencia Spain to further his studies earning a Master of Music
in Scoring for Film, Television, and Video games, from Berklee College of Music. This program
focused on navigating the current music technology landscape while studying the idiomatic
techniques used by the film music giants of our time.
Following his collegiate studies he moved to Los Angeles where he scored several commercials
and films, and found the opportunity to work for a music service company that prepares scores
and parts for film and T.V. music recording sessions. Some of the more notable projects he's
taken part in the music department for include the latest Star Wars Trilogy, Avenger’s: End
Game, and Avatar: The Way of Water.
Remote work and home studio production has offered the opportunity to take his music round
trip back to Michigan as the next stop in his musical journey.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
I started playing guitar at 8 years old and began receiving lessons shortly after from my local music store. From then, until I was 12, I was a casual player. Starting in 8th grade I joined my school's concert band and began learning the drums as well. Once I was in high school my music world expanded greatly, I played in the marching band, Jazz band, pep band, show choir band, and in school musicals. I was also playing in my first garage band at that time. I was playing music every day of the week for hours. After high school I went to college to study neuroscience at The University of Cincinnati. While there, my musical focus shifted entirely to playing drums in bands in the DIY space. Starting in 2023 I began playing in my current project, "Pretty Sure", which has been the most robust, fulfilling, and exciting music venture yet. We have played 25+ shows every year since forming all over Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
CJ has been playing bass, both upright and bass guitar, as well as a number of wind instruments and keyboards for over 40 years. He has 30 years experience teaching various instruments and music theory at a variety of colleges, universities, and private organizations. CJ spent 20 years as a session musician in Memphis and has performed with legends such as Mark Murphy, Bobby McFarren, Janis Siegel, Bruce Carrol, Michael Card, Kirk Whalum, and Joyce Cobb. Cj brings a passionate energy to his teaching with the goal of using songs, scales, and theory to open up the instrument for the student so that they can speak through it freely and express themselves with abandon.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
Alton has over 20 years of musical experience having started out playing the trombone in school band around age 12. He continued playing wind and brass instruments including trombone and baritone into his college years when he began studying guitar and bass. Alton's primary focus has been on bass guitar for most of the last 15 years playing in a variety of styles ranging from funk to metal. Alton continues to take opportunities to expand his horizons and learn new styles of playing with a strong desire to be prepared for anything. In his journey he has learned that a solid foundation in fundamentals of music theory and technique will unlock the instrument freeing the player to express themself to their maximum potential.
Guitar Center Kentwood2891 Radcliff Ave. SE Kentwood, MI
Aaron started off playing trumpet in concert band during 5th grade. He continued to play throughout his school years working his way up to drum Major for his high school marching band. Around age 13 he picked up the guitar which he played in the school Jazz band before going on to study Jazz studies at Michigan State University. Aaron also spent time as a cast member with various theater groups. During the summer of 2024 he performed with the California-based theater troupe The Young Americans, culminating in a 2 week tour of Japan.
Throughout his time as a musician, Aaron has taught in various capacities, serving as a teacher's assistant for the music education and music production programs at his school. Aaron believes that the best way to teach anyone is to focus on the interests and strengths of the individual student as a way of relating core music theory and fundamental performance concepts. Aaron's ultimate goal is for every student to gain a fundamental grasp of the instrument and have fun doing it.
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Discover the joy of music with personalized lessons from experienced instructors at Guitar Center. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, we offer lessons for all ages and skill levels in guitar, bass, drums, piano, and more. Our Kentwood, Michigan network of professional musicians is ready to help you achieve your musical goals. Start your musical journey today and find your perfect instructor at Guitar Center!
