Lessons
At Woodsongs Studios, we offer music lessons by teachers of critical acclaim. Acoustic and electric guitar lessons are available in a variety of styles, including folk, blues, bluegrass, rock, jazz, classical, and flamenco guitar. We also have teachers that specialize in ukulele, banjo, mandolin, violin, cello, viola, and bass. Our lesson studios are located at 3101 28th St. in Boulder, CO. Our teachers are listed below; you may contact them directly for rates, more information and scheduling.
CURRENT ON-SITE INSTRUCTORS (as of 08/07/2023)
VIDEO 1: THE MUSICAL ALPHABET. Dennis guides us through the basic building blocks of music: The Musical Alphabet.
VIDEO 2: HALF and WHOLE STEPS. In the second installment, Dennis tells us about Half Steps and Whole Steps.
VIDEO 3: NOTE MAPPING. Dennis' third video in his musicianship tutorial covers Note Mapping.
VIDEO 4: THE MAJOR SCALE. Dennis' fourth video discusses one of the cornerstones of music: The Major Scale
VIDEO 5: CHORD BUILDING. Dennis Demonstrates how to create chords from a Major Scale.
VIDEO 6: CHORD MAPPING & BEGINNING IMPROVISATION: Dennis shows you how to map out chords from your note map, and also gets you improvising on the Hank Williams song 'Jambalaya.'
VIDEO 7: RIDING THE RHYTHMIC WAVE: Dennis introduces the basics of rhythm and how important it is to incorporate it into your improvisation or jamming. Also included are tips to get started singing while playing your fretted instrument.
VIDEO 8: THE 4 CHORD - AMAZING GRACE: Dennis introduces the 4 chord in the key of C (the F chord). This is followed by playing and improvising on Amazing Grace. Also covered is the concept of a 4 bar phrase as well as learning the sound of the 1, 4 and 5 chord by ear.
VIDEO 9: TABLATURE AND RIGHT HAND TECHNIQUE: Dennis introduces us to playing songs via tablature as well as right hand technique. SUPPLEMENTAL
MATERIALS FOR THESE VIDEOS CAN BE FOUND HERE These videos can be viewed below and also appear on our YouTube channel. Woodsongs is proud to present this series and are very grateful to Dennis for his time and generosity.
Dennis Burns
Guitar - basic, classical, jazz, theory / Ukulele / Bass
dennis@boldersounds.com
303-419-8929
Guitar - basic, classical, jazz, theory / Ukulele / Bass
dennis@boldersounds.com
303-419-8929
Dennis has been teaching and performing in the Boulder/Denver area for over 30 years. In 1983 Dennis received his BM degree in classical guitar performance from the University of Colorado. He teaches many styles including classical, folk, rock and jazz improvisation. Dennis has released 3 recordings - A Rose On The Lake (2005), Waltz For Oktober (2019) and most recently Way Over Yonder (2023) which is a mix of Jazz, Country and Gospel in a trio format of guitar bass and drums. He is also the founder of Bolder Sounds, www.boldersounds.com, a sound design company which creates libraries for digital samplers. Dennis also performs chamber music with A Lyric Ensemble, www.lyricensemble.com.
SPECIAL NOTE:
As a service to everyone who stayed at home during the pandemic, Dennis kindly created a free video tutorial
series on musicianship for anyone who's ever had the urge to learn music or to brush up on the basics.
As a service to everyone who stayed at home during the pandemic, Dennis kindly created a free video tutorial
series on musicianship for anyone who's ever had the urge to learn music or to brush up on the basics.
VIDEO 1: THE MUSICAL ALPHABET. Dennis guides us through the basic building blocks of music: The Musical Alphabet.
VIDEO 2: HALF and WHOLE STEPS. In the second installment, Dennis tells us about Half Steps and Whole Steps.
VIDEO 3: NOTE MAPPING. Dennis' third video in his musicianship tutorial covers Note Mapping.
VIDEO 4: THE MAJOR SCALE. Dennis' fourth video discusses one of the cornerstones of music: The Major Scale
VIDEO 5: CHORD BUILDING. Dennis Demonstrates how to create chords from a Major Scale.
VIDEO 6: CHORD MAPPING & BEGINNING IMPROVISATION: Dennis shows you how to map out chords from your note map, and also gets you improvising on the Hank Williams song 'Jambalaya.'
VIDEO 7: RIDING THE RHYTHMIC WAVE: Dennis introduces the basics of rhythm and how important it is to incorporate it into your improvisation or jamming. Also included are tips to get started singing while playing your fretted instrument.
VIDEO 8: THE 4 CHORD - AMAZING GRACE: Dennis introduces the 4 chord in the key of C (the F chord). This is followed by playing and improvising on Amazing Grace. Also covered is the concept of a 4 bar phrase as well as learning the sound of the 1, 4 and 5 chord by ear.
VIDEO 9: TABLATURE AND RIGHT HAND TECHNIQUE: Dennis introduces us to playing songs via tablature as well as right hand technique. SUPPLEMENTAL
MATERIALS FOR THESE VIDEOS CAN BE FOUND HERE These videos can be viewed below and also appear on our YouTube channel. Woodsongs is proud to present this series and are very grateful to Dennis for his time and generosity.
Joseph Brenna
Guitar - Acoustic, Electric, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Folk & Classical /Music & Fretboard Theory
joseph@brennamethod.com
720-564-1767 Joseph is a critically acclaimed composer, songwriter, recording artist, and teacher who's equally at ease playing acoustic and electric guitars with jazz, funk, blues, R & B, rock and folk musicians. He trained at Brown University and Berklee College of Music. Joseph invented a revolutionary new way to learn guitar that makes every note, chord, and scale visible right on your fretboard, and in sheet music and chord diagrams. The Brenna Method is a comprehensive system that teaches you songs, trains your ear, teaches music & fretboard theory, and develops guitar technique, so that you reach your full creative potential. Watch how it works by CLICKING THIS LINK.
Guitar - Acoustic, Electric, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Folk & Classical /Music & Fretboard Theory
joseph@brennamethod.com
720-564-1767 Joseph is a critically acclaimed composer, songwriter, recording artist, and teacher who's equally at ease playing acoustic and electric guitars with jazz, funk, blues, R & B, rock and folk musicians. He trained at Brown University and Berklee College of Music. Joseph invented a revolutionary new way to learn guitar that makes every note, chord, and scale visible right on your fretboard, and in sheet music and chord diagrams. The Brenna Method is a comprehensive system that teaches you songs, trains your ear, teaches music & fretboard theory, and develops guitar technique, so that you reach your full creative potential. Watch how it works by CLICKING THIS LINK.
Ryan Drickey
Fiddle & Clawhammer Banjo for adults
Contact for availability
For Ryan, music is not only a way of life, it's a way to experience the world in which we live. A lifelong student of musical styles, Ryan immersed himself first in classical music, eventually earning a Masters degree in Violin from the University of Colorado at Boulder. There he studied jazz in addition to classical violin, which began his fascination with American musical traditions. The investigation of his own musical roots has led Ryan back through time: from modern jazz improvisation concepts, though bluegrass fiddling, old-time American fiddle styles, and across the Atlantic to the musical traditions of Ireland, Sweden, and Norway. Ryan is a Fullbright scholar, having spent a year in Sweden teaching American roots music at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm, while learning from Swedish folk masters such as Roger Tallroth, Ale Möller and Ellicka Frisell.
Fiddle & Clawhammer Banjo for adults
Contact for availability
For Ryan, music is not only a way of life, it's a way to experience the world in which we live. A lifelong student of musical styles, Ryan immersed himself first in classical music, eventually earning a Masters degree in Violin from the University of Colorado at Boulder. There he studied jazz in addition to classical violin, which began his fascination with American musical traditions. The investigation of his own musical roots has led Ryan back through time: from modern jazz improvisation concepts, though bluegrass fiddling, old-time American fiddle styles, and across the Atlantic to the musical traditions of Ireland, Sweden, and Norway. Ryan is a Fullbright scholar, having spent a year in Sweden teaching American roots music at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm, while learning from Swedish folk masters such as Roger Tallroth, Ale Möller and Ellicka Frisell.
Leslie Ann Leddy
Piano - All levels and ages
LA@peachpianostudios.com
303-859-2034 Leslie Ann Leddy is a professional music teacher who's been teaching piano, voice, guitar and ukulele for over 20 years. Her playful, experiential teaching style and positive reinforcement builds nuturing relationships with her students. She is a convervatory-level trained pianist, having studied with Mary Anne Knight in the direct lineage of Rosina Lhévinne, who taught composer John Williams and other famous students of the Juilliard School. She is winner of the Kawai Southern Keyboards Piano competition, winner of GMTA State piano competition, recipient of honorable invitation to study at the St. Petersburg Piano Institute from Francis Larimer. She was a recipient of Furman University music merit-based scholarship, and has attended master classes with P.D.Q. Bach, Garrick Olson, Andrew Cooperstock, and studied at the Brevard Music Center.
Piano - All levels and ages
LA@peachpianostudios.com
303-859-2034 Leslie Ann Leddy is a professional music teacher who's been teaching piano, voice, guitar and ukulele for over 20 years. Her playful, experiential teaching style and positive reinforcement builds nuturing relationships with her students. She is a convervatory-level trained pianist, having studied with Mary Anne Knight in the direct lineage of Rosina Lhévinne, who taught composer John Williams and other famous students of the Juilliard School. She is winner of the Kawai Southern Keyboards Piano competition, winner of GMTA State piano competition, recipient of honorable invitation to study at the St. Petersburg Piano Institute from Francis Larimer. She was a recipient of Furman University music merit-based scholarship, and has attended master classes with P.D.Q. Bach, Garrick Olson, Andrew Cooperstock, and studied at the Brevard Music Center.
Megan Cody
Mandolin & guitar for children & adults
megancodymusic@gmail.com
303-621-6442 Megan Cody, of The Cody Sisters Band, has been a member of the Colorado music scene for all of her life. Growing up going to bluegrass festivals like Rockygrass and Pagosa Folk’n bluegrass, she remembers what it was like to learn an instrument at a young age, and incorporates this experience into her teaching style. Playing guitar, mandolin, and singing lead and harmony vocals, she has toured with her band across the United States and the UK. When she is not on the road, she is a full time college student at CU Boulder. She has experience in teaching musicians of all ages and levels, and specializes in working with aspiring bluegrass guitarists and children. She is an accomplished musician and music teacher who’s top priority is to inspire her students to keep moving forward, and to help them find a lasting love for music.
Mandolin & guitar for children & adults
megancodymusic@gmail.com
303-621-6442 Megan Cody, of The Cody Sisters Band, has been a member of the Colorado music scene for all of her life. Growing up going to bluegrass festivals like Rockygrass and Pagosa Folk’n bluegrass, she remembers what it was like to learn an instrument at a young age, and incorporates this experience into her teaching style. Playing guitar, mandolin, and singing lead and harmony vocals, she has toured with her band across the United States and the UK. When she is not on the road, she is a full time college student at CU Boulder. She has experience in teaching musicians of all ages and levels, and specializes in working with aspiring bluegrass guitarists and children. She is an accomplished musician and music teacher who’s top priority is to inspire her students to keep moving forward, and to help them find a lasting love for music.
Will Pavilonis
Bass, upright and electric
willpavs@gmail.com
440-596-1425 Will Pavilonis has been an active bassist and music teacher in the Denver/Boulder and Cleveland area since 2016. Being surrounded by local musicians in the Cleveland area gave Will a young start to music. Beginning as a Jazz and Classical focused musician, Will developed techniques that he later began expanding to other genres including Funk, Rock, Bluegrass, Folk, Latin, Pop, and many others. Moving to Colorado in 2020 to study Jazz bass at CU Boulder, Will is now an active bassist in Boulder playing in various Bluegrass/Folk and Jazz projects. Will is an accomplished music teacher with experience teaching all ages and styles on both electric and upright bass. He specializes in music theory as well as general bass technique. His teaching style is unique to every student, and his main goal is to help them enjoy the music they are playing.
Bass, upright and electric
willpavs@gmail.com
440-596-1425 Will Pavilonis has been an active bassist and music teacher in the Denver/Boulder and Cleveland area since 2016. Being surrounded by local musicians in the Cleveland area gave Will a young start to music. Beginning as a Jazz and Classical focused musician, Will developed techniques that he later began expanding to other genres including Funk, Rock, Bluegrass, Folk, Latin, Pop, and many others. Moving to Colorado in 2020 to study Jazz bass at CU Boulder, Will is now an active bassist in Boulder playing in various Bluegrass/Folk and Jazz projects. Will is an accomplished music teacher with experience teaching all ages and styles on both electric and upright bass. He specializes in music theory as well as general bass technique. His teaching style is unique to every student, and his main goal is to help them enjoy the music they are playing.
CURRENT OFF-SITE INSTRUCTORS (as of 04-18-23)
* As our instructors return to the shop, they will be posted in the On-Site section.*
* As our instructors return to the shop, they will be posted in the On-Site section.*
Greg Schochet *OFFERING ON-LINE AND IN-PERSON LESSONS (Off-Site)*
Mandolin / Bluegrass Guitar
gschochet@gmail.com
720-837-5535 Greg Schochet is an integral part of Colorado's thriving music community, in demand as a performer, producer and teacher. Equally adept on guitar and mandolin, Greg is fluent in a number of acoustic and electric styles, including bluegrass, swing, folk, blues, and more. He's played with a number of notable bands, including Runaway Truck Ramp, The All Night Honky Tonk All-Stars, and currently Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams, one of Denver's most acclaimed honky-tonk and western swing bands. His stature as a player and experience as a session musician made him well suited to guiding aspiring musicians and songwriters. See Greg in action in the videos below.
Mandolin / Bluegrass Guitar
gschochet@gmail.com
720-837-5535 Greg Schochet is an integral part of Colorado's thriving music community, in demand as a performer, producer and teacher. Equally adept on guitar and mandolin, Greg is fluent in a number of acoustic and electric styles, including bluegrass, swing, folk, blues, and more. He's played with a number of notable bands, including Runaway Truck Ramp, The All Night Honky Tonk All-Stars, and currently Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams, one of Denver's most acclaimed honky-tonk and western swing bands. His stature as a player and experience as a session musician made him well suited to guiding aspiring musicians and songwriters. See Greg in action in the videos below.
Tom Wasinger *OFFERING ON-LINE AND IN-PERSON LESSONS (Off-Site)*
Guitar - Acoustic, Electric, Fingerstyle & Slide / Ukulele
tomwasmusic@gmail.com
303-444-0234 Tom is a composer, arranger, producer, teacher and multi-instrumentalist. He has received three GRAMMY awards as producer, with three additional nominations. Tom has performed live in venues around the world from Carnegie Hall to the Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul. Tom also builds experimental musical instruments and is the founder of 'The Lost Angel Stone Ensemble,' the world’s only touring ensemble of resonating stone instruments. Tom has taught guitar, bass, ukulele and other instruments privately since 1976. Watch Tom perform his original composition 'Genetic Love Song' in the video below.
Guitar - Acoustic, Electric, Fingerstyle & Slide / Ukulele
tomwasmusic@gmail.com
303-444-0234 Tom is a composer, arranger, producer, teacher and multi-instrumentalist. He has received three GRAMMY awards as producer, with three additional nominations. Tom has performed live in venues around the world from Carnegie Hall to the Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul. Tom also builds experimental musical instruments and is the founder of 'The Lost Angel Stone Ensemble,' the world’s only touring ensemble of resonating stone instruments. Tom has taught guitar, bass, ukulele and other instruments privately since 1976. Watch Tom perform his original composition 'Genetic Love Song' in the video below.
Chris Elliot
Banjo - clawhammer, bluegrass / Dobro
c-bobis@hotmail.com
832-248-2370 Chris "C-Bob" Elliott is a professional banjo instructor and performer in Lyons. He's the banjo player, vocalist and songwriter with Ragged Union, and an alum of Spring Creek on Rebel Records. He has had the privilege of playing on stage with many of his bluegrass heroes including Tony Trischka, Pete Wernick, Alan Munde, Sally Van Meter, Matt Flinner, Gene Libbea, Brad Lee Folk, Michael Cleveland, and others. Elliott is the 2007 RockyGrass Banjo Champion. Watch Chris demo Ome and Deering banjos in the videos below.
Banjo - clawhammer, bluegrass / Dobro
c-bobis@hotmail.com
832-248-2370 Chris "C-Bob" Elliott is a professional banjo instructor and performer in Lyons. He's the banjo player, vocalist and songwriter with Ragged Union, and an alum of Spring Creek on Rebel Records. He has had the privilege of playing on stage with many of his bluegrass heroes including Tony Trischka, Pete Wernick, Alan Munde, Sally Van Meter, Matt Flinner, Gene Libbea, Brad Lee Folk, Michael Cleveland, and others. Elliott is the 2007 RockyGrass Banjo Champion. Watch Chris demo Ome and Deering banjos in the videos below.
CHECK OUT CHRIS' NEW BANJO LESSON PROGRAM!
The Elliott Banjo School offers students of all levels an innovative way to learn the banjo at their own pace.For more details, please CLICK HERE.
The Elliott Banjo School offers students of all levels an innovative way to learn the banjo at their own pace.For more details, please CLICK HERE.
Kimberlee Hanto
Cello - All ages
kimberlee@lyricensemble.com
303-442-2025 Kimberlee currently teaches cello and coaches chamber music at her private studio in north Boulder, as well as for Naropa University. She has also taught at the University of Colorado, Casper College and Shining Mountain Waldorf School. Her Bachelor of Music degree is from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and her Master of Music degree is from the University of Colorado. She is the founder and music director of both the Colorado Cello Choir and Lyric Ensemble. She performs concerts regularly for the Estes Park Chamber Music Festival, the Academy, and for other venues in the Rocky Mountain region. A number of her students participate in DYAO, GBYO, Western States Orchestra and All State Orchestra.
Cello - All ages
kimberlee@lyricensemble.com
303-442-2025 Kimberlee currently teaches cello and coaches chamber music at her private studio in north Boulder, as well as for Naropa University. She has also taught at the University of Colorado, Casper College and Shining Mountain Waldorf School. Her Bachelor of Music degree is from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and her Master of Music degree is from the University of Colorado. She is the founder and music director of both the Colorado Cello Choir and Lyric Ensemble. She performs concerts regularly for the Estes Park Chamber Music Festival, the Academy, and for other venues in the Rocky Mountain region. A number of her students participate in DYAO, GBYO, Western States Orchestra and All State Orchestra.
MONTHLY LESSON EVENTS
WOODSONGS UKULELE HOOTENANNY
At long last, the Uke Hoot returns on Saturday, May 20th!
Join us for this fun monthly event, hosted by Sarah Goodroad. Group lessons, followed by a singalong session. Learn some tricks (or the basics) and participate in a jam! Every third Saturday of the month from 5:30pm-7:00pm. $20 cash at door.
PLANNING ON ATTENDING? CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
SARAH'S BUGUH! SONGBOOK PRIOR TO ATTENDING!
'JAM SANDWICH' JAM WORKSHOP
(POSTPONED TEMPORARILY)
Covering essential basics to jamming & bluegrass in group form. All acoustic instruments welcome. Third Sunday of the month. 4:30-6pm $10. $10. RSVP by calling us at 303-449-0516, or by emailing info@hbwoodsongs.com.
WOODSONGS UKULELE HOOTENANNY
At long last, the Uke Hoot returns on Saturday, May 20th!
Join us for this fun monthly event, hosted by Sarah Goodroad. Group lessons, followed by a singalong session. Learn some tricks (or the basics) and participate in a jam! Every third Saturday of the month from 5:30pm-7:00pm. $20 cash at door.
PLANNING ON ATTENDING? CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
SARAH'S BUGUH! SONGBOOK PRIOR TO ATTENDING!
'JAM SANDWICH' JAM WORKSHOP(POSTPONED TEMPORARILY)
Covering essential basics to jamming & bluegrass in group form. All acoustic instruments welcome. Third Sunday of the month. 4:30-6pm $10. $10. RSVP by calling us at 303-449-0516, or by emailing info@hbwoodsongs.com.
OTHER INSTRUCTORS AND STUDIOS
The Lesson Studio 303-543-3777
Private Music lessons for most instruments
3200 Valmont Rd. Unit 8 Boulder, CO 80301
www.thelessonstudio.com
Francisco Marques 303-579-9346
Guitar / Bass / Cavaquinho and Brazilian Percussion. Woodsongs instructor and alum.
icosemail@gmail.com
Jennifer Wyler 303-746-5462
Beginning & intermediate piano for children. Lessons in your Boulder county home or her studio in Lafayette.
wylerjennifer@gmail.com
Beth Rosbach 303-881-7383
Cello Teacher
Anne Brennand 303-939-9933
Cello Teacher. Longtime Woodsongs instructor and member of the Boulder Philharmonic, specializing in Suzuki method.
annaroonie@gmail.com
Parlando School for the Arts 303-442-0006
Rocky Mountain Center for the Musical Arts 303-665-0599
Harmony Music House 303-444-7444
Studio Allegro Suzuki Violins 720-308-1883
Cynthia Katsarelis Violin Studio 303-776-6159
Woodsong Suzuki Violins - Paul Rowinski 303-494-9303
Jeff "Felonius" Smith 303-499-1665
Bottleneck and Dobro Teacher
www.feloniussmith.com
Boulder Music (formerly Wildflower School of Voice) 720-212-1244
Voice, Performance, Songwriting & Media Instruction
www.mybouldermusic.com
Beth Wilberger Music Studio 720-234-7900
Violin, Fiddle, Viola, Piano
Boulder Flute Studio - Chris Potter 303-443-3330
Off Broadway School of Fine Arts Boulder 720-244-8760
www.offbroadwayfinearts.org
Chris Ruiz 512-698-0170
Saxophone Teacher
christopherruizmusic@gmail.com
Kirk Miller 303-875-4283
Violin Teacher
www.MillerBeckMusic.com
Lee Johnson
Boulder Guitar Studio 303-442-2379
www.boulderguitar.com
My Local Music Lessons 303-558-6160
www.mylocalmusiclessons.com
Home lessons for all instruments throughout the front range.
Chris Field 720-299-0872
Violin, Fiddle & Mandolin
chris26field@gmail.com
Private Music lessons for most instruments
3200 Valmont Rd. Unit 8 Boulder, CO 80301
www.thelessonstudio.com
Francisco Marques 303-579-9346
Guitar / Bass / Cavaquinho and Brazilian Percussion. Woodsongs instructor and alum.
icosemail@gmail.com
Jennifer Wyler 303-746-5462
Beginning & intermediate piano for children. Lessons in your Boulder county home or her studio in Lafayette.
wylerjennifer@gmail.com
Beth Rosbach 303-881-7383
Cello Teacher
Anne Brennand 303-939-9933
Cello Teacher. Longtime Woodsongs instructor and member of the Boulder Philharmonic, specializing in Suzuki method.
annaroonie@gmail.com
Parlando School for the Arts 303-442-0006
Rocky Mountain Center for the Musical Arts 303-665-0599
Harmony Music House 303-444-7444
Studio Allegro Suzuki Violins 720-308-1883
Cynthia Katsarelis Violin Studio 303-776-6159
Woodsong Suzuki Violins - Paul Rowinski 303-494-9303
Jeff "Felonius" Smith 303-499-1665
Bottleneck and Dobro Teacher
www.feloniussmith.com
Boulder Music (formerly Wildflower School of Voice) 720-212-1244
Voice, Performance, Songwriting & Media Instruction
www.mybouldermusic.com
Beth Wilberger Music Studio 720-234-7900
Violin, Fiddle, Viola, Piano
Boulder Flute Studio - Chris Potter 303-443-3330
Off Broadway School of Fine Arts Boulder 720-244-8760
www.offbroadwayfinearts.org
Chris Ruiz 512-698-0170
Saxophone Teacher
christopherruizmusic@gmail.com
Kirk Miller 303-875-4283
Violin Teacher
www.MillerBeckMusic.com
Lee Johnson
Boulder Guitar Studio 303-442-2379
www.boulderguitar.com
My Local Music Lessons 303-558-6160
www.mylocalmusiclessons.com
Home lessons for all instruments throughout the front range.
Chris Field 720-299-0872
Violin, Fiddle & Mandolin
chris26field@gmail.com