Individual Music Coaching in Chicago

If you're searching for guitar lessons in Chicago, chances are you're looking for more than just learning a few songs.

Most musicians reach a point where they feel stuck. They know they're capable of more, but practice feels unfocused, lessons feel disconnected, and progress slows down.

Private lessons are where we solve that.

My goal isn't just to teach guitar, it's to help musicians develop creativity, musical understanding, and artistic voice through a structured approach to practice, improvisation, and composition.

I offer private guitar lessons in Chicago and online worldwide, working with dedicated musicians who want to deepen their playing and build real musicianship.

  • Developing improvisational fluency through modern improvisation concepts, harmonic awareness, and melodic development.

  • Learning how harmony, melody, and form work together to support creative writing across genres including jazz, pop, rock, R&B, and contemporary music.

  • Exploring advanced harmony, modern harmonic vocabulary, and the analytical tools musicians use to understand great music.

  • Improving technical fluency while developing deeper musical instincts on the instrument.

  • Helping musicians develop their artistic voice and creative identity.

Who These Lessons Are For

These lessons are designed for musicians who want to go deeper than surface-level guitar instruction.

Students I typically work with include:

• intermediate and advanced guitarists
• musicians interested in improvisation and composition
• songwriters looking to expand their harmonic vocabulary
• artists preparing for recording, performance, or auditions
• musicians pursuing serious artistic development

Many students come to lessons after years of playing but feeling like they’ve reached a plateau.

Private coaching allows us to identify what’s missing and build a system that helps you move forward.

My Teaching Background

My teaching approach draws from years of study, performance, and research into musical development.

I previously studied at the Berklee College of Music, one of the world’s leading institutions for contemporary music performance and composition.

I am currently continuing my academic work at Northwestern University, focusing on topics related to creativity, learning, and musical development.

Over the years I’ve coached hundreds of musicians, many of whom have gone on to tour professionally, release recordings, and pursue degrees at institutions such as Juilliard, Eastman, USC, UCLA, Princeton, NYU, and the University of Illinois.

Guitar Lessons in Chicago

Students come for lessons from across Chicago, including neighborhoods such as:

Lincoln Park
Lakeview
Wicker Park
West Loop
Andersonville
Evanston
Hyde Park

Lessons are primarily conducted online for remote students given my active travel and work schedule.

Ready to Start?

If you’re ready to take your musicianship seriously and develop a deeper creative voice on your instrument, private lessons may be the right next step.

For those interested, I also offer Group Lessons at more affordable rates, which offer a wonderful collaborative environment for learning and growing.

Reach out and tell me about your musical goals.

We’ll figure out how to get you there.

My Process

Connect

Together, we outline a path forward that’s realistic, strategic, and tailored to your specific needs.

Collaborate Openly

You’re part of the process. We keep communication open and decisions shared, your musical goals are all that matter.

Plan with Purpose

Every student is unique. My job is to stay flexible and responsive to make sure the process fits your flow, not the other way around.

Execute

The goal is that you feel comfortable and confident with who you are as a player, I’m here to support your journey.

  • "Creative, reliable, and genuinely passionate."

    - Carmen

  • "Cody's the only thing that got me through recording my first album."

    - Lilah

  • "You have to see his dog he's ridiculously cute."

    - Michael

A shiny saxophone on a dark background.

Ready to get started? Reach out today and let’s see if we’re the right fit to grow together.