I teach students to play flamenco guitar using evidence & experience-based practice and performance strategies that help students accelerate progress and improve performance. 

In terms of musical material, since everyone has different interests and is at a slightly different level, the material I teach is mostly individualized.

That said, as your teacher and guide, I strive for all students to do the following:

• Learn and apply basic techniques within your preferred genre.

• Learn and apply a clear and effective warm-up routine.

• Learn a clear and effective technique routine, which will include exercises, études or falsetas.

• Develop and implement a clear and easy-to-follow daily practice plan.

• Learn and internalize effective and long-term injury-prevention strategies.

• Develop a repertoire of solo guitar music starting with short pieces (i.e., 1 page) and eventually longer concert pieces (e.g., over 3 pages long).

• Work through a progressive set of repertoires based on your current level (e.g., graded repertoire).

• Develop a strong understanding of musical expression (e.g., dynamics, timbre, tempo, phrasing, articulation, etc.).

• Learn and recognize expressive and structural markings in sheet music for either tab or notation (e.g., repeat markings, section markings, codas).

• Begin learning how to improvise and compose (esp. for flamenco) with rhythm, chords, melodies, and variations of each.

• Learn how to read music notation (esp. classical) and TAB. (Optional, but HIGHLY recommended for flamenco).

• Learn the basic rhythms and styles of flamenco music (i.e., flamenco guitar only) and be able to perform them comfortably.

• Learn basic chords, including shapes, names, and progressions.

• Learn basic scales.

• Learn how to work with a metronome effectively to help solidify and improve your tempo and rhythm.

• Learn performance anxiety reduction strategies to play confidently in front of others.

• Learn how to prepare a piece of music from zero to performance for student recitals (optional).

• At the end of your program, you will have a good understanding of how to implement every practice and performance strategy covered in the SGM program to either classical or flamenco guitar, and only need me as a coach for continued improvement.

SGM is an immersive coaching program for students who want lots of feedback and instruction throughout the week (like a coach would give a professional athlete). 

DIY  programs are good, but they only offer material without much direct feedback.

In the SGM program, you not only get 4 lessons a month, yoy can also reach out to me every day (M-F) for questions and individualized video feedback. 

Additionally, the live Masterclasses offer you an opportunity to perform in front of others, which helps improve your playing and helps you learn expert practice and performance strategies that are typically not learned in 1-on-1 lessons..

And finally, our live, Guest Speaker sessions give you yet another opportunity to get your questions answered by experts in performance psychology, neuroscience, and music performance.

Instead of having just one contact with your teacher, once a week, you have access to me every day (M-F) for questions and video feedback.

I've designed the SGM program this way to help you improve faster and make sure that your practice is correct and as efficient as possible.

The SGM program is best suited for beginners to aspiring professional flamenco guitarists who have a strong drive to play well and are willing to put in the time and work needed to succeed.

The purpose of the SGM program is to cover all aspects of solo flamenco guitar practice & performance by providing multiple ways of learning, including 1-on-1 lessons, regular feedback (e.g., like a coach for a professional athlete) and evidence-based practice strategies. Here's what's included:

MATERIAL
I help you develop your classical and/or flamenco guitar technique, understanding, musicality, and repertoire through basic exercises, études, falsetas, and pieces.

1-ON-1 LESSONS
30-minute lessons, 4 times a month

MASTERCLASSES
We have 2 Masterclasses for classical guitar and 2 Masterclasses for flamenco guitar every week.

Each masterclass starts with a 10-minute lecture on effective practice strategies that we implement in the same masterclass.

After the mini-lecture, 2-3 students are chosen to play the "Challenge-Spots (CS)" in their music and are asked to apply the learned practice strategy to improve the CS. I help guide students through this process.

Masterclasses are 60-minutes long.

VIDEO EXCHANGES
If you are in the Video Exchange Program, you are highly encouraged to send me at least 3  videos throughout the week, identifying and playing through challenging sections of your music so that I can reply with video feedback for faster learning.

ONLINE LIBRARY
Students are encouraged to watch replays of masterclasses, tutorials, resources, music theory, guest lectures, etc. in my online learning library at any time to aid in the learning process.

ONLINE CHAT
Students are encouraged to post any questions in my online classroom chat which I generally answer 5 days/wk.

STUDENT RECITALS
The SGM program includes 2 optional student recitals each year. Students are encouraged to participate to learn how to take a piece from zero to performance. The performance element is also crucial for improved playing.

GUEST LECTURES
3-4 expert guest lectures per year are available to registered students.

No, the SGM program is NOT a DIY video course. It is an immersive coaching and teaching program where I am directly and indirectly involved in your progress throughout your entire (and beyond if you decide to continue)

Yes. 4 private, 30-minutes lessons each month are included in the SGM membership. If you are not interested in the SGM program, I offer 60-minute and 90-minute lessons privately. Those lessons include 1 vdeo exchange between lessons to make sure you aren't falling behind. to book private lessons, click here

Yes. for faster progress in SGM, you should have at least a basic understanding of classical or flamenco guitar technique. I recommend investing in a simple "basic technique" course or book before joining SGM. For most students, 3 months or so of basic technique and posture is enough to get started in SGM. If you are a beginner, I recommend taking a few months of private lessons before jumping into the SGM program. You can book private lessons here.

Before enrolling, I highly encourage you to book a call with me first to make sure that the SGM program is truly the right fit for you. Once you enroll, we will schedule an orientation meeting (45 min) to create a plan for you, and then I'll invite you to join my Skool classroom, where you can begin watching the "Start Here" and "How to Practice" modules. I'll reach out to you with notes on your group masterclasses and on how to start our video exchanges.

5-10 hours per week.

SGM is now focused only on flamenco guitar.

Due to the nature of the SGM program and consistently available resources, I cannot issue refunds, make-up lessons, or membership extensions for a student's missed time in SGM.

Whether your goal is to play guitar as a hobby or professionally, SGM is a 4-figure tuition and is for serious and dedicated students only.

Before enrolling, students must book a call with me to see if you are a good fit for SGM.

Book a call and free practice audit with me here

Yes! I am so confident in the SGM system that if you have truly tried your best by having watched all the required instructional videos,  participated in the masterclasses, participated in the video exchanges, participated in the community chat, practiced for at least 1 hour/day, and are still not making significant progress in your first 30 days, you can request a full refund.

Yes! After you click on the PAY button for PAY IN FULL, you will be directed to a checkout window. In that window, click on the "AFFIRM" option for financing options. You can divide payments over 6, 12, or 36 months!