Learn from Great Jazz Guitar Teachers

Bio: I am a 29-year-old graduate of Jazz Performance studies at the prestigious Capilano University and an experienced music educator who has afforded himself lessons from the very best in the world. I have first-hand knowledge from music legends like Frank Vignola, Gene Bertoncini, Chris Eldridge, and locally to Vancouver, Bill Coon, and Ron Samworth among others.

I have been playing guitar for over 30 years, and teaching for 28. Hailing from Santa Clara, CA, I was introduced to music and the arts at an early age. I was first introduced to music by my grandfather, who gave me multiple instruments to play. These instruments included mandolin, violin, harmonica, piano, drums, and guitar.

Born in 2001 in Opole, Poland, he has been attending music schools since the age of seven and has been actively involved in musical life from the very beginning, regularly participating in concerts and competitions. He graduated with distinction from the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław in the class of Waldemar Gromolak, where he also completed pedagogical training.

Gavin grew up in Snoqualmie, Washington and studied guitar with Davey French, guitarist of the rock band Everclear for 6+ plus years. At the age of 16, he started to play guitar in multiple cover bands while also participating in the Mount Si Band program. ​In 2012, Gavin began teaching private and group guitar classes at Big Star Studios in his hometown of Snoqualmie.

Alex Skolnick is an American musician. He is best known as the lead guitarist and one of the songwriters of the thrash metal band Testament and has played with several other bands, including The Alex Skolnick Trio, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Savatage and the heavy metal supergroup Metal Allegiance.

Chris Southern is a guitarist, singer, songwriter and teacher with years of experience both on stage and in the studio. Known for his expressive guitar playing and creative approach to music, Chris has built a reputation as a versatile musician with a deep passion for the instrument.

I have been playing guitar for 20 years and teaching privately for over 10 years. I spent 4 years teaching percussion at multiple highschools. I also write, record, and release original music with my twin brother. We enjoy touring around Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky to share our music with others.

Brett Rechtfertig has been teaching professionally for 11+ years, is an international touring musician and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Having played guitar for 25 years, Brett has professional experience onstage and in the studio in virtually all styles of popular music; a range of genres from jazz, blues, funk, folk, country all the way through rock and metal.

Mike Campese is a guitar virtuoso, he is an all-around music performer, and a session artist competent in many musical styles, electric and acoustic. He is best known for being a member of the multi-platinum group, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra and received a gold record for his work. He is a honors graduate from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA.

Hi, I’m Travis Sykes — a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and music educator with over a decade of real-world experience. I hold a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music, where I studied under department chairs in Songwriting, Harmony, and Bass Guitar, and attended masterclasses with legends like James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Victor Wooten.