Guitar Lessons

Dennis Stadleman

Dennis teaches guitar, mandolin, and beginner banjo. Dennis grew up in a musical family outside of Cleveland, Ohio. His mother on mandolin, grandfather on guitar, and various uncles on guitars and other instruments, played old country songs around the campfire and other family functions for most of his childhood. He picked up drums at the age of 9, and soon added guitar, piano, and mandolin. Musical training started early, first from family (especially mother), and then to formal training at age 12 from local legend Joel Navoyosky. Dennis started teaching schoolmates, and playing out with his band at age 15 while learning theory and technique from other local greats such as Johnny DeMarco (one of Roland’s top players). With a strong background in many genres, and 16 years of teaching and stage experience, Dennis is very capable of teaching a variety of styles to people of all ages. Dennis can be seen sharing the stage with greats such as Jimmy Herring of Aquarium Rescue Unit, and Widespread Panic, Bluegrass great Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, local Blues legend James Peterson, and more.

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Luke Schwartz

Luke Schwartz is a graduate student at the University of South Florida’s School of Music. He is in the process of attainting two Master’s degrees in Jazz Composition and Music Theory. In 2009 he received a BA degree from the USF school of music, in which he concentrated on guitar, music theory, music history and jazz composition. Upon graduating, Luke was awarded an outstanding merit award in music theory for his efforts as a private music tutor and for his explorations in composing music using various theoretical techniques. Before studying at USF, Luke spent several years studying privately with many of the Tampa Bay area‘s most in demand musicians. During this time, Luke was named “Best Young Guitarist in Central Florida” (2005) by Reindeer Records (Portland, ME). He is well versed in many areas of music and equipped to teach a variety of styles, including jazz, funk, rock, blues, folk, bluegrass, and above all, creativity. Luke is also a devoted local musician and gigs regularly all around the Tampa Bay area. It is his wish to share the knowledge he has with his students, hoping they can be creative with the material that they are presented, bring out the artist within them, and above everything else, have lots of fun with music.

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Jennifer Sladky

Jennifer Sladky teaches bass guitar, upright bass (double bass), and beginner guitar. She is a creative, energetic, and passionate musician who is dedicated to studying, teaching, composing, and recording music. Jennifer is well versed in multiple styles of music including jazz, classical, rock, funk, folk, punk, and experimental.

Jennifer currently attends the University of South Florida where she will graduate in Spring 2010 with a Psychology Degree and 3 minors in Music (Music Composition, Music Theory, & Music Performance) . After graduation, Jennifer plans to continue her education by attending a Ph.D. program for Music Therapy. Jennifer has studied and performed under the direction of numerous amazing musicians and composers including Dr. Michael Sidney Timpson, Dr. Chihchun Chi-sun Lee, Dr. Paul Reller, Dr. Lynne Gackle, Dr. Richard Zielinski, Mark Neuenschwander, Darren MacFarland, Geoff Caputo, and Joe Porter.

Jennifer currently hosts a number of live recording showcases at local music venues. She also plays in a bluegrass band and an experimental jazz/funk/rock/fusion band.

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Sulynn Hago

Sulynn Hago teaches beginning guitar, specializing in rock and punk music. For the past five years, she has performed in various venues throughout Florida with her local punk rock band. Aside from her stage experience, Sulynn has always been enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge on technique and theory with other aspiring guitarists. Her own private lessons began when she was 14-years old, and she remembers the earliest stages of learning and applies them to her teaching. One of her goals is to instill confidence in her students while making sure they enjoy themselves. Sulynn strongly believes that everyone has the potential to play regardless of the age they pick up a guitar or of their musical exposure.

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aaron miller

Aaron teaches guitar and electric bass. He began his musical journey early in life. His mom taught him piano and music theory at an early age. While in high school Aaron played trumpet in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and in various pit orchestras for musical productions all over the metro-Atlanta area. During this time Aaron became fascinated with the core rhythm section instruments (guitar, bass, keys, drums) and the art of reading lead sheets, chord charts, etc. He began studying jazz improvisation with Atlanta guitarist, Trey Wright. He went on to study music at the collegiate level at the North Carolina School of the Arts where he played guitar in assorted jazz/funk combos. While studying music at Georgia State University, Aaron gigged extensively throughout the Atlanta area on guitar and electric bass, and had the privilege to share the stage with such living music legends as Arturo Sanduvol, Nicholas Payton, Slide Hampton, David Sanchez and many of Atlanta’s finest musicians. Aaron thinks of music as just another language and this is the foundation of his approach to teaching. When we first learn to speak we learn by imitating basic phrases. Soon we can have a conversation. Then we study the grammar and structure to further develop our understanding and to express our ideas more fluently. Aaron has a fun and positive approach to teaching and sharing this language of music with students of all ages. He hopes that his enthusiasm for music is contagious.

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