JohnWirag
About
I'm 44 years old and have been teaching guitar for 15 years and beginner piano for 10 years. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music from Sul Ross State University and attended the Encore program at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. I then continued my studies earning my master's in music education from Eastern Washington University. I've performed in bands throughout the West Texas and Houston areas and through the four tiers region of New York state. The styles of music I excel in are rock, metal, and classical. I'm extremely dedicated to my instrument and enjoy setting goals for my students and then watching them progress.
Teaching Style
For the typical lesson I'll teach half basics/theory then pieces the student is interested in.
Curriculum
I have a heavy emphasis on rhthym with my students which I use a metronome or I accompany the student in playing a piece. For piano students we use the apps from the Faber series which are great for the students to work on their rhthym and timing. In addition I assign the Faber books to my piano students and Hal Leonard for guitar. In short, I teach by throwing the students into real situations with their playing.
Credentials & Affiliations
I graduated with a Bachelors in music from Sul Ross State University located in Alpine, TX from 2003 to 2006. Next i attended the three month encore program at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA in late 2009 for guitar studies. I then began teaching privately as a guitar/piano/ukulele teacher at My Voice and Piano located in Cypress, TX from 2010 to 2021 while at the same time teaching my own students in their homes or my own studio. From 2023 to 2024 I completed my Masters in music education from Eastern Washington University located in Cheney, WA. While attending I remained on the honors roll for Eastern Washnigton University. I'm currently teaching privately out of my own studio in the Binghamton, NY area. My professional performing credentials include playing guitar in a production of Mama Mia in Whitney Point, NY in 2022 and being a Member of the Orchestra of the Big Bend in Alpine, TX for the 2006 shows of Annie Get Your Gun.
