What makes learning music easier at Five Star Guitars?
Our instructors are not only great players and working musicians but have decades of teaching experience, and will customize the curriculum to your interests and learning style. Live student concerts allow the students to apply their learning beyond the classroom and show off all of their hard work at a real gig in a real venue that we book for you.
Specialties: 4, 5, & 6 String Electric Bass Guitar
Styles: Funk, R&B, Soul, Rock, Blues
Background: In 30 years of professional playing, Ben has shared the stage and recorded with a long list of artists, including:The Neville Brothers, Jeff Lorber, Frank McComb, Peter White, Rick Braun, Paul Brown (Grammy Winner), Darren Rahn, Jennifer Batten, Patrick Lamb (Gino Vanelli), Tommy Thayer (KISS), Oregon Symphony, Noel Pointer (Grammy Winner), James Carter, BB King, Robert Cray, Phyllis Hyman, Delbert McClinton, Walter 'Wolfman' Washington, Bernard Allison, Chris Cain, Lloyd Jones, Curtis Salgado, Liv Warfield, Les McCann and David Pack (Ambrosia).
Currently:Performing in the Northwest. Sponsored artist for Carvin Basses, TC Electronic Amps & Effects, Dunlop Strings, MXR Effects,1964 Ears In Ear Monitors, LM Straps, and GruvGear Accessories
Specialties: Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, 7 & 8 String Guitar, Bass Guitar, Beginner Ukulele, Music Theory & Ear Training, Improvising, and Street Busking.
Styles:Rock, Metal, Classical, Pop, Jazz, and Chamber Music
Background: Bachelor Music Guitar Performance & Bachelor Music Composition from University of Idaho. Taught music for afterschool programs & private school classes in Beaverton and Portland. Performed at farmers markets and private events as a street busking artist in the inland Pacific Northwest, and taught guitar in Moscow, Idaho.
Currently: Playing bass and writing music for IgikoPop, and street performing during warmer weather months.
Styles:Classical, Rock, Blues, Funk, Jazz, Folk, Country, and more
Background:Author of beginner guitar book series. Studied music at PSU. Extensive songwriting and recording experience. Performs with numerous local artists. Dany has taught Guitar for over 25 years.
Currently: Performs around the Northwest as singer and guitarist.
Styles:Guitar: electric, steel string and nylon string acoustic, baritone and lap steel. Rock, blues, funk, soul, classical, folk, country, grunge, metal, pop, improvising, soloing, strumming, fundamentals, fingerpicking, solo guitar, applied theory, reading music for guitar, beginning through advanced slide. Ukulele: Soprano, concert, tenor, baritone.
Background: Studied music at University of Idaho. Designed and taught beginner lesson course for U of I, Pullman, WA Parks & Rec and Hillsboro Parks & Rec/Camp Amp Program (2007-present). Extensive songwriting and recording experience. Lead singer/guitar player of Western Aerial. Geoff has taught music for over 20 years to all age groups.
Styles:Piano & Voice: Classical and most other genres and levels Banjo: bluegrass finger-style Guitar: Beginner to intermediate pop & rock
Background: Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory; studied with Robert Helps, Peggy Salkind, and Mark Westcott; performed music tours of Switzerland, Germany, and Italy; has given premiére performances for San Francisco and the West Coast works by composers Robert Helps, David Del Tredici, William Susman, and many others. Has 30 years of experience teaching privately.
Currently: Arrived in Portland in 2018, and since then has taught, accompanied, musically coached, and performed organ and piano for church services. Additionally he is on Faculty as Professor of piano and theory studies, as well as on Staff as the choral accompanist at PCC Rock Creek.
Specialties:Electric, Acoustic, Classical, & Jazz Guitar, Ukulele, Bass Guitar, Music Theory, Composition & Arranging, Improvisation, Music Reading, Working with young beginners.
Styles:Rock, Blues, Funk, Jazz, Classical, Fingerstyle, Country, Folk, Fusion, and more.
Background: Studied classical guitar at Chapman University, as well as jazz guitar and improvisation at Portland State University. Designed and taught music theory courses for thePortland Youth Philharmonic.
Currently:Performs in the Portland area as a solo jazz and fingerstyle guitarist.
Specialties: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele, Music Theory
Styles:Guitar: Rock, Blues, Grunge, Classic rock, 70s-80s metal, jazz, folk, pop, improvising, reading music for guitar and more. Ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone.
Background: B.A. in music from Oregon State University, studying with Dana Reason, Sam Kincaid, Bob Brudvig, Angela Carlson, Russ Christensen. Studied jazz guitar with Neal Grandstaff. Has experience and has excelled teaching students of all ages.
Currently:Performing as guitarist and vocalist for Portland rock band Al's Toy Barn.
Specialties: Drum Set, Rudimental & Concert Percussion, Hand Drums.
Styles:Rock, Funk, Swing, Latin, Afro-Cuban, Blues, and more.
Background: Extensive performance experience with local bands, theater shows, and concert ensembles.
Currently: Performs with A La Mode. Teaches for Hillsboro Parks & Recreation’s Camp Amp and H.A.S programs (2006-present). Sponsored Artist with Evans Drum Heads
