Jay Harootunian

Bio:

Jay is a songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, and nationally touring artist with the Americana roots band Mojo Birds. Over 15 years as a performer, he has played more than 1,000 shows across the U.S. He is the Adjunct Professor of Guitar at San Juan College and is completing his master’s degree in songwriting at Berklee College of Music. Jay has been mentored in songwriting and guitar by Oliver Wood of The Wood Brothers and has taken lessons with artists including Eric Krasno (Soulive/Lettuce), Jim Oblon (Paul Simon), and Guilherme Monteiro (Forro in the Dark). His debut album with Mojo Birds was produced by Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers.

Teaching:

Jay teaches guitar, voice, and songwriting with the belief that the best way to learn music is to make music. Lessons are personal, practical, and built around what genuinely excites each student. He especially loves helping beginner and intermediate musicians and aspiring artists turn potential into something real—whether that’s confidently singing and playing a favorite song, finishing an original, stepping onto a stage for the first time, recording in a studio, or developing the skills to pursue music professionally.

Jay cares deeply about his students and believes what we gain through music reaches far beyond music itself.

Jay’s teaching style is laid back, practical, encouraging, and technique-centered—built around real-world musicianship, not busywork. He tailors each lesson to the student’s goals, then breaks big concepts into clear, usable steps so progress is measurable week to week. Lessons emphasize feel and groove, ear-to-hand connection, strong fundamentals, and confidence, with plenty of real applications (songs, improvisation, songwriting, and live performance prep).