I began my musical journey as a Suzuki student at the age of five, so I know firsthand the joy and excitement of learning to play an instrument. Wanting to share my positive experiences, I started taking Suzuki Teaching Courses during my college summers. By 2021, I had completed all 9 book trainings and became the only guitarist in North America to finish the full Suzuki training along with a Doctorate in Music.
My teaching approach focuses not only on classical guitar technique and musicianship but also on fostering self-efficacy and a growth mindset. Through guitar, children learn to become problem solvers and develop their own unique voices.
Starting as young as age 3, children learn alongside their parents. While these lessons are more intensive than others, the benefits to both the child and their relationship with their parent are long-lasting and significant.
While Suzuki is an excellent method for teaching music, its greatest strength is its humanist focus. It helps develop not just good musicians but well-rounded individuals. One key lesson for both students and parents is to celebrate small accomplishments. Learning an instrument is a long journey, so I ensure we recognize and applaud the little victories. This helps create a positive learning environment, motivates students, and builds their confidence as they learn to enjoy the process, not just the result.
I also emphasize building a community through music with recitals, group classes, and community performances each semester. My students have been selected for All-State and All-National Guitar ensembles, earned perfect scores at Solo and Ensemble, advanced through Suzuki books, and won prizes at competitions such as the Florida Guitar Festival and Latina Arts Guitar Festival. More importantly, they’ve become hard-working individuals with a genuine love for music, guitar, and learning.
In addition to my private Suzuki studio, I’ve worked with advanced students at Leon High School Lessons Academy, as well as college musicians at Florida State University and Pensacola State College. I’ve also had the honor of being invited to Suzuki events across the country as a guest instructor.
Dr. Ben’s Qualifications
- Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees from Florida State University, studying with the legendary Bruce Holzman.
- Graduate certificate in Music Education from Florida State University.
- Bachelor of Music from the world-renowned Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.
- Completion of all Suzuki Guitar Training
- 12 years of teaching experience with over 12,000 lessons taught.
- Teaching positions at two universities.
- Invited around the country to teach and perform at festivals and universities.
- Extensive record of student success
- Extensive knowledge of guitar technique, repertoire, and history from studying with the greatest guitarists in the world including David Russell, Bruce Holzman, Judicael Perroy, Zoran Dukic, Marcin Dylla, Alvaro Pierri, Rene Izquierdo, Adam Holzman, Jason Vieaux, Ana Vidovic, Bill Kanengiser, Jorge Caballero, Pavel Steidl, Julian Gray, Dale Kavanaugh, Paul Galbraith, SoloDuo, Denis Azabagic, Martha Masters, and Xavier Jara.