Telesmar Sanchez

Hi! My name is Telesmar Sanchez, and I am a professional jazz guitarist and guitar teacher. I can teach whatever style of guitar you're interested in (blues, rock, pop, funk, jazz, etc.) as well as music theory, sightreading, and songwriting. My approach to teaching is holistic--you're not just going to learn how to play your favorite songs, but how they work and how to create music of your own. My goal as your teacher is to give you the tools to develop a positive and inspiring relationship to your instrument.

I received a BM in jazz guitar performance from the University of Texas at Austin in 2021 and an MFA in jazz guitar studies from CalArts in 2024. I've been teaching freelance guitar lessons since 2017, and have worked exclusively as a music teacher and performer since 2021. I was also a guitar instructor at Allegra Music Academy in Tarzana, CA from 2022-2023. Throughout my professional music career in Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA, and New York, NY, I've played thousands of gigs at prestigious jazz venues like Monks Jazz Club, The Elephant Room, Jazz Under Ground, Midnight Blue, Smalls Jazz club, and Mezzrow with acclaimed jazz musicians like Vardan Ovsepian, Marc Devine, Bill Wurtzel, Izaak Weatherwax, and Quintin Harris.

Over the years, I've had dozens of students of all ages and experience levels. I have a strong passion for teaching and helping others deepen their connection to music. I hope we get to explore the guitar together!

My primary goal as a guitar teacher is to deepen your relationship to your instrument in a way that aligns with your individual learning style and personal goals. That might mean working together on strumming your first chord, deepening your understanding of harmony to open new songwriting possibilities, or studying your favorite guitar solos to become a better improviser. I always keep concepts relevant to the music you want to make, and I prioritize studying the songs you love together to see how they demonstrate what we're working on. I'm especially good at cultivating a creative, playful relationship to the guitar for my students, so that your learning gives you the ability to jam, write, solo, or just play the guitar in a way that feels inspiring and cathartic rather than overly academic, repetitive, or frustrating. Whether you're eager to play your first song, nail an audition, or jam with your friends, I'll work alongside you to make sure your guitar journey is focused, fun, and fulfilling.