Jose is a 2018 graduate of Lehman College majoring in music. There he studied music theory, musicianship, conducting, composition, and performance. He also studied classical piano and is a multi-instrumentalist. Jose is fluent in playing the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukulele, and many more. Being a musician for over 20 years, Jose is versatile in a wide variety of musical genres including: classical, contemporary worship, pop, rock, Latin, and intro to jazz. Jose has been performing since the age of 13, singing and playing in Carnegie Hall, church, weddings, and school related projects. Jose has been teaching for over 10 years privately and classroom based.
Hiroyuki Yamada, a guitar player, hails from Tokyo Japan. Growing up listening to American and British pop, he started playing his first guitar at the age of 14 after receiving it as a gift from his father. Shortly after, he formed several cover bands playing Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. In 1988 he moved to New York where he started studying Jazz. He had impressionable teachers including Ron Carter, who once asked him whether he was a hero or a sandwich on account of his name. His unique and insightful view on music has led him to perform with a wide array of musicians like Edwin Russell, David Comedie, Adura Pecku, Carole Demesmin, Malou Beauvoir, Belo. It was not long before he collaborated with both Chico Boyer and Sergo Decius subsequently hatching the idea to form their own group Cocobreeze. His philosophy is: “We are all coconuts. I mean our lives are like coconuts. We were floating in the ocean, and winds and currents took us to New York. We play music, dreaming coconuts and blue ocean” hence the name Coco Breeze. Hiro loves entertaining and making his close friends and family laugh, he currently resides in Manhattan.
Branden Girtman is a talented and experienced musician, who remembers being attracted to music from a young age. He recollects sitting on his father’s lap after church on Sunday's banging away on the drum set and also being exposed to different genres of music such as gospel, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop by his parents. This influenced his love and passion for music, even though his understanding was limited, he loved what he heard. Growing up in the church, he always found it hard to gain exposure on the drums, because they were already many drummers. However, as he became older and as was the only drummer left, he quickly learned and stepped up to fulfill his new role. Branden often remembers a turning point in his musical journey, when he was replaced as the drummer at a convention because he was not good enough and vowed to start practicing to become a musician.
At age fifteen, Branden started to take his music seriously, applying himself more and making good use of his gift. With God, hard work, dedication, and consistency Branden has been the drummer for his church for the past seventeen years. He has been blessed with many opportunities to travel the world performing music, playing for R&B artist Leela James. Branden has also been a recipient of an endorsement with Spaun Drums and was the house drummer for the club Groove and the Red Lion in the Greenwich village in New York City. He continues to thank God for the opportunities that have come his way so far in my life, and is looking forward to the great things yet to come. Branden has graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music from Lehman College (CUNY) and is currently enrolled as a student in the Lehman college (CUNY) graduate program for Musuc Education. Branden’s musical foundation was laid in the church and he believes nothing compares to playing for God in church every Sunday.
Dennis Bulhões holds the title of "XI Batuka! Master" after winning first place in Brazil's most prestigious international drum contest, Batuka! Brasil, 2010. Born and raised in Brazil's northeastern city of João Pessoa, Bulhões started his formal music education at the age of seven, attending class at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). He continued his studies at the university in classical percussion with professor Francisco Xavier, obtaining his Bachelor of Music in 2009. He has also studied privately and attended workshop/clinics with, Carlos Balla, Marcio Bahia, Kiko Freitas, Edu Ribeiro, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Peter Erskine, Ari Hoenig, Dafnis Prieto, Antonio Sanchez, Jeff Hamilton and Jeff “Tain” Watts. Shortly after earning his Bachelor of Music, Dennis won the 2009 public contest of Technical Musician at the Federal University of Paraíba, where he held a tenure position as the universities professional performing percussionist/drummer and teacher for the music extension courses till 2019, when he took a sabbatical in order to move back to NY. Among other awards, Bulhões took first place in the Odery and Modern Drummer Festival's regional contest, going on to place as a national semifinalist in 2008.
Bulhões has performed with several artists in Brazil, Europe and Africa including Sivuca, Maria Creuza, Marinês, Lucy Alves, Oswaldinho do Acordeon, Anastácia, Toninho Ferragute, Antonio Barros e Cecéu, Proveta, Silvério Pontes, Paraiba Symphony Orchestra. From 2014 to 2016, Dennis Bulhões moved to NY to pursue a Master in Jazz Studies at Queens College. Since his arrival, Bulhões has being involved with different artists and groups, playing and sharing the stage with names like: Eliano Braz, Davi Vieira, Nanny Assis, Brian Drye, Rob Curto, Lívio de Almeida, Richard Bona and Paul Simon to name a few. Still in 2014, Bulhões went on tour in New York and Massachusetts with Brazilian TV actress and singer Lucy Alves, This same tour was award “the best Brazilian show on tour” by The Brazilian Press Award in United States.
In conjunction with his university position, Bulhões is frequently invited to direct workshops, give lectures, and perform as a guest artist. He has presented lectures and performances of Brazilian music in United States, Europe, Africa and Brazil.
Has been teaching at Guitar Center since 12/2/2022. Joshua is a native of Lake View, SC and began playing drums at age 3, the piano at age 13, organ and bass guitar at age 25, and is currently learning to play guitar. Joshua is also a music producer and recording artist with albums already out internationally around the world and has traveled different places performing professionally.
Jared McGuire is a guitarist and bassist from Westchester County, NY. Inspired by iconic bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Cannibal Corpse, he began playing bass at 14 before transitioning to guitar a few years later. Under the mentorship of accomplished guitarists, Jared honed his skills and became a dedicated musician. Since the age of 15, he has been an active member of the death metal scene, performing, writing, and recording music with various bands, including Death Island.
Luka is a multi-genre guitarist who has been playing for over 10 years! His favorite genres are pop and blues. Luka is also proficient in bass and has been playing bass along with guitar for several years!
Jack has been playing for 15+ years. With a background in jazz, he’s subsequently well versed in many genres. His favorite artists are Tyler the Creator, Jamiroquai and the Arctic Monkeys. You can catch him during the college basketball season playing for the Iona University Pep Band.
From the moment I picked up a guitar at the age of 13 and learned my first Nirvana riff, I realized that there was nothing else that could bring me more joy. Music became my world—my escape, my voice, and my purpose. After years of playing, performing, and growing with the instrument, I now get to share that same spark with my students. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take things to the next level, I'm here to help you connect deeply with your music and discover what the guitar can truly mean to you.
So let’s plug in, tune up, and turn your passion into progress
Greg has been with Guitar Center teaching full time almost from day one of the Sarasota Store opening. With his wide range of knowedge of instruments, and his passion for working both with individulas in the learning process and ability to teach a band how to perform as a band, he has become one of the most popular instructors to take lessons with in the Sarasota area. From Country Guitar to Screamo (yes, he knows screamo!) he has something for everyone.
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 Yonkers, New York 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!
