Hi! I'm Andre — a lifelong guitarist, music educator, and mentor passionate about helping students of all ages discover their sound.

Hi! I'm Andre, and I've spent over 35 years exploring every corner of the string instrument world, from experimental guitar solo shows to bass lines in children's rock bands, jazz ensembles to Hollywood film soundtracks, and everything in between on ukulele. I've had the incredible experience of performing at Disney Hall and the New York Guitar Festival, working alongside legends like David Torn, Kronos Quartet, and Terry Riley. You might have even heard my music on WNYC's New Sounds radio or seen my work featured in Guitar Player and Mojo magazines.

But here's what I'm most proud of: my students stick with me year after year because they know I'm genuinely invested in their musical journey. With nearly 20 years of teaching experience across guitar, bass, and ukulele, I've learned that the real magic happens when students feel supported, challenged, and excited about what they're creating.

What My Lessons Are Like

Whether you're a complete beginner picking up your first ukulele, diving deep into advanced jazz guitar, exploring bass lines that make people move, or anything in between, my lessons revolve around your goals and your pace. I believe learning should feel like an adventure, not a chore. No one starts out knowing everything, and that's not just okay, it's the whole point of the journey.

Here's what we'll work on together: building strong, healthy technique from day one so you develop great habits that will serve you for life. We'll explore whatever genres light you up, practice improvisation and ear training to make you a more complete musician, and work on performance skills that build genuine confidence.

For guitar students, we'll dive into everything from fingerpicking to shredding, chord progressions to lead lines. Bass students will develop that crucial sense of groove and rhythm that makes the whole band sound tight. Ukulele students will discover just how versatile this "simple" four-string instrument can be, from traditional Hawaiian styles to modern pop arrangements.

One thing my students love is that I can transcribe almost anything by ear on the spot. Whether you're obsessed with a Taylor Swift song, want to nail that Metallica riff, need to learn a bass line that's been stuck in your head, or you're dying to strum along to your favorite ukulele covers, we'll break it down together and make it yours.

A Bit About My Journey

My musical path has been beautifully unpredictable. I've performed at prestigious venues like the New York Guitar Festival in 2004 and 2006, and Disney Hall in 2009. I've contributed to original Hollywood film soundtracks and been interviewed on WNYC's New Sounds program. My work has appeared in publications like Guitar Player, Mojo, and Alternative Press.

This diverse experience across multiple string instruments has given me a unique perspective on how they all connect and complement each other. Whether you're looking to master one instrument or explore how guitar, bass, and ukulele can work together in your musical journey, I bring all of this background to every lesson.

But honestly, some of my favorite musical moments happen in lessons when a student finally nails that piece they've been working on, or when they surprise themselves by improvising something completely their own.

My Teaching Philosophy

Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and I'm here to help you enjoy the process while becoming the musician you want to be. My students stay with me because they know I care about their progress as much as they do, and because we have a blast making music together—whether we're working on guitar, bass, ukulele, or exploring how they all fit together.

Ready to explore where music can take you? Let's start with a free trial lesson and see what we can create together.