
Private Lessons
Our List of Incomparable Instructors

Jimi Cabeza De Vaca
(310) 972-9469

Kit Alderson
(310) 838-5636
jjalderson@live.com
Teaches mainly traditional folk and country styles
Has taught autoharp at McCabe’s since 1970
Founding member of the Stone Poneys, Linda Ronstadt’s original band based in Santa Monica
Played autoharp and guitar in McCabe’s original house band, the Floating House Band
Taught Reese Witherspoon for her role as June Carter in “Walk the Line” and Catherine O’Hara for her role in “A Mighty Wind”
Available Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, plus Wednesday and Friday mornings

John Rosen
(818) 590-5691
banjo1228@hotmail.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp
Specializing in bluegrass banjo, all levels and ages, beginner through advanced
38 years professional experience as a banjo teacher and performer
Teaches Scruggs style, melodic 3-finger style, clawhammer
Has played with the Dropkick Murphys, Ashley Campbell, Scarlet Rivera, Dan Bern, Old Man Markley, Ed Helms, the Get Down Boys, the Dust Bowl Cavaliers, and Burning Heart Bluegrass, among others.
Patient, dedicated, and FUN teacher
Available Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays

Zac Sokolow
(310) 678-6434
zacsokolow@gmail.com
Beginners and intermediate players in all styles

Denny Croy
(310) 720-5326
sideman@sbcglobal.net
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype
Electric or upright, all styles
Teaching since the early ’80s
Has played with so many bands you’ve heard of, it would be tedious to list them all
Specializing in theory, technique, reading, or just plain fun
Available every day but Thursdays and Saturdays

Tania Magidin
(818) 634-2232
magidint@yahoo.com
Has been teaching for more than 40 years
Earned a Master Degree in Russia studying under Gregory Pekker (who studied under Julius Klengel)
Teaches all ages, from 4 to 104

Monique Mizrahi
Tel/Whatsapp: +39 3884968228
Skype: moniquehoneybird
monique@honeybird.net
Available to teach remotely via Zoom or Skype

Joellen Lapidus
(310) 474-1123
lapidusmusic@aol.com
www.lapidusmusic.com
Available to teach remotely via Zoom
Traditional and contemporary styles of dulcimer
Absolute beginners to advanced players
Strumming styles and finger picking styles
We have a dulcimer club: we play all kinds of music, duets, quartets, etc.
Private lessons at my office in Westwood

Kit Alderson
(310) 838-5636
jjalderson@live.com
Teaches mostly folk and country-related styles, especially fingerstyle singer-songwriter music;
Beginners through intermediates; no electric guitar, and no one under 16
Can transcribe songs for fingerstyle; has a catalog of thousands of transcriptions
Taught Joaquin Phoenix for his role as Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line”
Available Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, plus Wednesday and Friday mornings

Jimi Cabeza De Vaca
(310) 972-9469

David Ellis
(424) 603-4042
dellisgtr@aol.com
www.davidellisguitar.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Duo
Beginning (all ages — absolute beginners should have a nylon-string guitar)
Folk, blues, flamenco and rock (beginning to intermediate)
Classical (all levels)
David has been a guitar instructor at McCabe’s Guitar Shop® in Santa Monica for the past thirty-something years. His students have been accepted into music programs at USC, UCLA, UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach and the Berklee College of Music.
Performance highlights include playing several concerts with the Broadway singer Kristin Chenoweth, playing on the red carpet for the 71st- 74th Academy Awards, performing with the Los Robles Master Chorale, and performing in the garden of Disney Concert Hall.
Available:
Wednesdays and Thursdays 3-10pm
Fridays 3-6pm
Saturdays 10am-6pm
Sundays 1pm-5pm

Vicki Hill
(323) 286-8163
vickihill@sbcglobal.net
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime or Zoom
Beginning guitar for kids and adults, with some theory and singing
Available afternoons and evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Paula McMath
o: (310) 394-4640
c: (310) 625-8586
paula@paulamcmath.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype
* Specializes in teaching guitar to children
* Believes in allowing interest to drive material selection, and strives to have kids “feel” music as well as hear and see it
* Emphasizes: fingerboard knowledge, use of music notation, chord vocabulary, fingerpicking, right-hand rhythm techniques, scales, scale tone chords, and songwriting
* Extensive training and experience in ORFF Schulwerk — a system of teaching music which utilizes singing, speech, movement, body percussion, and small pitched and unpitched percussion instruments
* Works professionally as a singer/guitarist/songwriter in the Los Angeles area — and in her native Canada
* Launching a children’s project: veryhappyday.com
* Available Monday evenings

Joel Morrison
(310) 483-3235
blindrevmorrison@gmail.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime or Zoom
All levels, especially beginners
Rock, Blues, Folk, including Finger Picking and Slide
Specializing in Electric, Acoustic, and Resonator guitar, Theory, and Advanced Technique
BFA in performance from CalArts
Theory for the Working or aspiring Working musician: Everything you need to know presented in a simple straightforward manner with an emphasis on the most important and usable things first.
All classes would include a section on guitar gear and set-up.

Harry Orlove
(661) 312-5803
harryorlove@gmail.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype
Specializes in:
Bluegrass, Electric Blues, Jazz, Western Swing, Country, Roots Rock
Proud to have had artist endorsements from The Martin Guitar Company, Eastman Guitars, Danelectro, Fishman Transducers, Elixir Strings and Fender Musical Instruments
Highly experienced in commercial studio work for TV and film
Was touring with Tom Rapp, in the band Pearls Before Swine by the age of 17
Moved to LA in 1979 and landed a job in the house band of the World Famous Palomino Club where he got to work with guitar legends like James Burton, Jimmy Bryant and Thumbs Carlisle
Has performed and recorded with everyone from Vassar Clements to Lucinda Williams, Leann Rimes to Big Jay McNeely, Michelle Shocked to David Grisman and Steve Wariner to Odetta
Available Thursday evenings only

Steve Rose
(310) 890-4017
ukerocker@gmail.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime
Pop, jazz, rock, folk
Guitar arranging for singers and songwriters
Theory and improvisation

Cheryl Saunders
(310) 721-2357
canalligator@gmail.com
Available to teach remotely via Zoom
Cheryl teaches blues, jazz, pop, and rock, and the only bossa nova class at McCabes. She has opened for Johnny Cash and June Carter, played in the Andy Bey Jazz Quartet, and in the orchestra of the late composer Elmer Bernstein. In addition to music degrees from California State University Northridge and the Musicians Institute of Los Angeles, she finely honed her skills during 15 years of private study with renowned guitar-legend Ted Greene. She has been a highly respected, recognized, and valued member of the LA music scene for many years.
She’s an excellent teacher because she’s empathetic, and can quickly see how to improve your guitar skills. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, Cheryl will help you evolve your playing, technique, and musicianship before you know it. She excels at arranging and teaching chord melodies and improvisation.
Group classes and private lessons available.

Pete Snell
(310) 387-0930
petesnell@verizon.net
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype
Specializing in theory and improvisation for blues, jazz, pop and rock
Played jazz guitar in New York in early ’80s while studying composition at Manhattan School of Music
Landed recording deal with Capitol Records in L.A., writing and producing two albums for the band In Vitro
Joined Lyle Lovett in 1990, and toured with Bonnie Raitt, Sam Phillips, Rickie Lee Jones, Lou Reed, John Denver and many others while playing sessions for TV and films

Fred Sokolow
(310) 838-4215
sokolowmusic@gmail.com
www.sokolowmusic.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype
Private lessons in
Blues (electric and acoustic), Jazz, Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, Bottleneck, Fingerpicking, Flatpicking
Lots of theory and improv skills taught, as well as songs

Pete Steinberg
(310) 367-2220
nevadapete777@live.com
“First: I’m not teaching music – I’m teaching people. I can get anyone playing alternating bass style guitar. My job is to see that you learn how to play and how your guitar works. I can make this fun and easy and get you playing a finger style blues tune in one lesson. There is a way to do this and If you want to learn this, I’ll show you how in an atmosphere of unconditional positive support. I’m in your corner. I want you to be the one at the parties that can figure out how to play all the songs without needing a songbook. I want other performers to feel fear when you come on stage.”
Teaches all levels and loves beginners. First lesson is free! Teaches everything from the Mississippi Delta, East Texas, Georgia and north through Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky. Finger style guitar champion: 1st place 1999 Southwestern guitar championship, 1st Place 2008 Utah State championship, 1st place 2010 Wyoming State Championship, 1st place Topanga Banjo & Fiddle contest: 1998, 2001, 2007, 2016. Learned country blues guitar from Mississippi John Hurt, Fred Mcdowell, Rev. Gary Davis, Lightnin’ Hopkins. Learned slide guitar from Son House. Learned “Ramblin” from Johnny Shines as did Robert Johnson. Teaches acoustic, electric, blues, folk, jazz, country blues, slide (bottleneck) guitar, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Merle Travis, moving bass styles and many others and can teach music theory to a chimpanzee. He is also the only instructor to have wrestled a bear. Rumors that he has tasted human flesh are unsubstantiated.

Dave Gage
http://harmonicalessons.com/contact.html
All levels and styles, including standard 10-hole diatonic and chromatic
Available Tuesdays 4-10pm
Contact Dave for current rates

Fred Sokolow
(310) 838-4215
sokolowmusic@gmail.com
www.sokolowmusic.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype
Private lessons in
Blues (electric and acoustic), Jazz, Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, Bottleneck, Fingerpicking, Flatpicking
Lots of theory and improv skills taught, as well as songs

Fred Sokolow
(310) 838-4215
sokolowmusic@gmail.com
www.sokolowmusic.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype
Private lessons in
Blues (electric and acoustic), Jazz, Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, Bottleneck, Fingerpicking, Flatpicking
Lots of theory and improv skills taught, as well as songs

Zac Sokolow
(310) 678-6434
zacsokolow@gmail.com
Zac teaches here when he is not on tour with his band The Americans.

Rose Brant
(310) 922-8572
rose90230@gmail.com
Available to teach remotely via Skype and Zoom
All ages, styles and levels – – beginners welcome.
Many years experience teaching successful practice and performance techniques.
Flexible availability.
Please inquire about rates as they differ from those of other teachers

Julie Ingram
(512) 567-4870
Jul.Ingram10@gmail.com
Adult Beginners, all styles
BA from UC Berkeley, Masters in Music from University of Texas at Austin
Specialist in the history of French music

Jessica Sandidge
(917) 488-8374
jessandidge@gmail.com
www.jessicasandidge.com/
Available to teach remotely via Skype or Zoom
Jessica has taught at such schools as Avenues World School in New York City, Wellesley Hugh school in Massachusetts, and is currently teaching piano and voice at the Irvine School of Music and Glendora Music and Arts School. She works with kids of any age teaching piano and early music education. She is also an accomplished opera singer, having sung at Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, and at the legendary McCabe’s Guitar Shop.

Danny Moynahan
http://dannymoynahan.com
Available to teach remotely
Is that a real saw? Are those teeth sharp? Is it easy to play? The answer is yes, yes, and yes, if you learn from a pro like Danny Moynahan. Originally a saxophonist in ska, reggae, afrofunk, soul and jazz settings, Danny fell in love with the musical saw upon hearing the legendary sawyer Charlie Blacklock perform in Santa Monica, CA in the late 1990s. He began playing the very next day, and has since become a highly sought-after recording artist, performer, and teacher of the musical saw. All levels welcome.

Steve Rose
(310) 890-4017
ukerocker@gmail.com
Available to teach remotely via FaceTime
All levels
Vintage jazz and Hawaiian
Chord and solo playing
Major fun!

Tom McEvilley
(310) 968-5647
Available to teach remotely
Earned a BM in Violin and Viola Performance from the University of Houston School of Music on a full scholarship and also studied at Rice University.
Guitar and composition studies with Ralph Towner at Naropa Institute led to playing at master classes for Joe Pass.
Credits include Houston Symphony, New Orleans Symphony, Hollywood Film Orchestra, Los Angeles Baroque, Warner Bros. Orchestra, Disney, ABC, NBC, NHK, CCTV, Good Morning America, and many others.
21 years of international touring with Mantovani including extensive tours throughout Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, and the US.
Toured Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi with the Mesto Orchestra of Los Angeles.
Has taught throughout his performing career, and believes in the positive reinforcement method.
A step-by-step technique builds a solid foundation; keeping learning fun is also important.
Students are encouraged to look behind the notes on the page, to find deeper more personal meanings in musical expression.

Lawrence Lebo
(818) 606-5326
http://lawrencelebo.com
Professional musican/performer and private vocal coach for over 25 years, with a BA from UCLA
Critically acclaimed indie recording artist whose CDs have appeared on the Blues, Folk and Jazz charts
Currently listed as a Blues educator with The Blues Foundation
Specializes in:
Pop, Rock, Roots, Blues, Folk, and Jazz
Developing a strong support foundation
Building performance skills
All ages, all levels
1 hour minimum at $65.00 per hour

Jessica Sandidge
(917) 488-8374
jessandidge@gmail.com
www.jessicasandidge.com
Available to teach remotely via Skype or Zoom
Jessica has taught at such schools as Avenues World School in New York City, Wellesley Hugh school in Massachusetts, and is currently teaching piano and voice at the Irvine School of Music and Glendora Music and Arts School. She works with kids of any age teaching piano and early music education. She is also an accomplished opera singer, having sung at Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, and at the legendary McCabe’s Guitar Shop.

Tom Zehnder
(310) 415-0902
tom@vaportrailpro.com
Available to teach remotely via Zoom
Tom enjoys engaging students at all levels and is thrilled to recently join the accomplished team of music teachers at McCabe’s Guitar Shop. Drawing from decades of experience composing, songwriting, producing original scores and songs for video games, TV and Film, as well as performing in several bands regularly, Tom teaches songwriting, voice and guitar, sometimes all three in one lesson. Tom holds a bachelor of arts degree in music composition from UCLA, graduating summa cum laude and grew up in the living room of his dad, the late John Zehnder, who encouraged the whole family to sing and play “by ear” together – and it was fun!
Flexible availability.
Private Lessons
McCabe's® private lessons are sold in 1/2-hour increments. The cost is $40* for each 1/2-hour ticket or $140 for four 1/2-hour tickets. Tickets should be purchased ahead of time, and then handed to your teacher at the beginning of each lesson. McCabe's lesson tickets are valid for six months.All scheduling is done directly with each teacher. Contact info can be found on this page, or by calling the shop. There is a strict 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel a lesson less than 24 hours in advance (or don't show up at all), your teacher is entitled to the ticket(s) required to cover the lesson time.
* Please note that this rate does not apply to all instructors. Double check individual instructor rates below.
Rental Policy
2. We rent for a minimum of three months.
3. We rent anything that retails for $500.00 or less (with some occasional exceptions).
4. The rate is 30% of the cost of instrument and case. (We will not rent without a case unless the customer already has a suitable case.)
5. The first three months' payment can apply toward purchase on that instrument or one of higher value.
6. One may continue renting at the rate of 10% per month after the initial three-month period. However, these payments do not apply toward purchase.
7. One must have a credit card valid for at least 12 months.
