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5501 North Lamar Suite A-111 Austin, Texas 78751

Mon - Thur, Noon - 8 Fri & Sat, Noon - 6 512.442.2880

Austin Guitar School

Guitar Instructors

Ted HallAcoustic Blues, Alt Country & Country Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Electric Blues, Folk, Funk, Fusion, Harmony, Metal, Music Theory, Open Tunings , Pop, R&B , Rock, Rockabilly, Slide, Swing

Westark Community College/University of Arkansas; 40 years teaching experience. Guitar/Music Director. Meet Ted »

David BeesonAlternative Rock, Harmony, Metal, Music Theory, Pop, Rock

David has been a guitar teacher in the Austin area for the past ten years. After hearing Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen at the age of nine, David dedicated his life to playing guitar and has never looked back! Meet David »

Mark BishCountry, Electric Blues, Funk, Fusion, Harmony, Jazz, Latin, Pop, R&B , Rock, Swing

With 25 years playing experience, Mark studied at the Guitar Institute of Technology, Dick Grove School of Music, Cal State Northridge & California Institute of the Arts. Meet Mark »

Jesse EllisAcoustic Blues, Alt Country & Country Rock, Alternative Rock, Bluegrass, Country, Electric Blues, Folk, Funk, Fusion, Harmony, Metal, Music Theory, Open Tunings , Pop, R&B , Rock, Rockabilly, Slide

Jesse is originally from Tupelo, Mississippi and has been playing guitar since the age of 14.  Meet Jesse »

Paul  FinleyAcoustic Blues, Alt Country & Country Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Electric Blues, Fingerstyle, Folk, Harmony, Music Theory, Old Time Folk, Open Tunings , Pop, R&B , Ragtime, Slide

I want to make songs for everybody, not just guitar players. As a graduate and former faculty member of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, my educational background is extensive. I've studied privately and taken master classes with Michael Hedges, ben Verdery and Fareed Haque. Meet Paul »

AJ InzanaClassical, Country, Electric Blues, Harmony, Jazz, Music Theory, Pop, R&B , Rock

AJ has been a guitar player for 21 years and teaching lessons to all abilities and ages for the last nine years. His first musical influence was listening to guitar masters including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Meet AJ »

OJ LaierAlt Country & Country Rock, Bluegrass, Country, Fingerstyle, Folk, Harmony, Music Theory

O.J. is known for his distinctive fingerpicking style and sound; his influences include Leo Kottke, John Michael Talbot, Norman Blake, Steve Stills, Norman Liota, Doc Watson, and Merle Travis. Meet OJ »

Paul LidelAlt Country & Country Rock, Country, Harmony, Metal, Music Theory, Pop, R&B , Rock

Voted "Austin's Best Guitarist" (Edge Magazine Readers Poll 2003), over 25 years teaching experience, Author of the "Pro Guitarist's Handbook", Guitarist of Dangerous Toys. Teaches classic rock, hard rock, metal, alternative, blues, folk, country, fingerstyle and classical. Teaches levels beginner to advanced.  Meet Paul »

Kim PerlakAcoustic Blues, Alt Country & Country Rock, Alternative Rock, Classical, Fingerstyle, Flamenco, Folk, Harmony, Music Theory, Open Tunings , Pop, Rock

Kim Perlak is a classical guitarist whose versatile and inclusive approach to both traditional and new music for the instrument has made her a sought-after performer, collaborator, educator, and academic lecturer in the field of American music. Meet Kim »

Chris PetersAlternative Rock, Folk, Harmony, Metal, Music Theory, Pop, Rock

Friendly, accomplished instructor for beginners and intermediates, as well as players seeking ear training, cleaner technique or a greater understanding of music theory. Meet Chris »

Chuck PinnellAcoustic Blues, Alt Country & Country Rock, Bluegrass, Classical, Country, Fingerstyle, Flamenco, Folk, Harmony, Jazz, Latin, Music Theory, Open Tunings , Pop

From the main stage of the Kerrville Folk Festival to the governor's mansion; at Symphony Square or over the airwaves at K.U.T., Chuck Pinnell has performed on the classical guitar & won acclaim. Meet Chuck »

Jeff SettleAlternative Rock, Funk, Fusion, Harmony, Jazz, Latin, Metal, Music Theory, Pop, R&B , Rock, Swing

Jeff Settle is an Austin based guitarist, specializing in rock and neo-soul/funk. Meet Jeff »

Matt SmithAcoustic Blues, Alt Country & Country Rock, Alternative Rock, Bluegrass, Country, Electric Blues, Fingerstyle, Folk, Funk, Fusion, Harmony, Jazz, Latin, Metal, Music Theory, Open Tunings , Pop, R&B , Ragtime, Rock, Rockabilly, Slide, Swing

Matt is a self-taught singer-songwriter and guitarist who plays a bunch of crazy stringed instruments in just about any style and a simple, friendly way of sharing his knowledge with others. Meet Matt »


Bass Instructor

Rob RoederAlt Country & Country Rock, Alternative Rock, Bluegrass, Country, Electric Blues, Funk, Fusion, Harmony, Jazz, Latin, Metal, Music Theory, Pop, R&B , Rock, Rockabilly, Swing

Rob graduated from Musician's Institute, (BIT), in 1986, moved to Austin, and has been there playing and teaching bass ever since. Meet Rob »


Piano Instructor

Paul LidelBlues, Country, Pop, Rock

College of the Fingerlakes, keyboard player for The Iron City Soul Shakers. Teaches piano, organ and synth. teaches a wide variety of styles including rock, blues, pop and country, Known for his easy going attitude, Paul is great with beginners and has experience teaching children as young as 6.  Meet Paul >>

Kimarie TrojanowskyClassical, Folk, Harmony, Music Theory, Pop

AGS would like to welcome our newest Instructor, "Kimarie" will be teaching on Saturdays. Meet Kimarie >>


Drums and Percussion

Phil BassAlt Country & Country Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Electric Blues, Folk, Funk, Fusion, Jazz, Latin, Metal, Pop, R&B , Rock, Rockabilly, Swing

Drums Meet Phil >>

Ernie DurawaAlt Country & Country Rock, Bluegrass, Country, Funk, Fusion, Jazz, Latin, Pop, R&B , Rock, Rockabilly, Swing

Ernie Durawa is known for the high quality of his performances on stage and in the studio. He has played on two Grammy Award-winning records, performed at major avenues throughout the US, and toured often in Europe while maintaining a highly productive career in Austin’s live and studio music scenes. Meet Ernie >>

Aaron LackAlt Country & Country Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Electric Blues, Folk, Funk, Fusion, Harmony, Jazz, Latin, Metal, Music Theory, Pop, R&B , Rock, Rockabilly, Swing

Drums Meet Aaron >>


The Very Best Instructors for Every Style and Technique

Being a guitar school for for over 20 years in on of the world’s greatest music cities has its advantages.  We’ve been able to assemble a rare collection of talent with expertise in virtually every technique and genre. Their skill sets are diverse, but their passion for music is the thread that ties them together.

On this page, you can browse each instructor by instrument, or use the lists below to narrow your selection based on your instrument or preferred style. Each instructor has a video featuring a playing demonstration and brief monologue about their history and musical philosophy.

Oh, and even better, stop by any time to meet us in person. We’d like that even more. Enjoy.

Browse Instructors