A Teacher, Musician, and Lifelong Learner

With over 20 years of experience as both a musician and an educator. My career has been shaped by an equal love for playing, teaching, and learning. I’ve performed across countless genres, collaborated with world-class musicians, and helped students of all ages and backgrounds discover their own voice through music.

I believe that great teaching is about more than just delivering information—it’s about connection, adaptability, and helping students unlock their potential. My approach is shaped by the belief that every student learns differently. My role is to meet them where they are, challenge them when needed, and guide them toward their goals in a way that feels both natural and rewarding.

The Path to Teaching: From Stubborn Player to Passionate Educator

Teaching wasn’t always the plan. In fact, I was stubborn—I wanted to be a player first and foremost. My teachers saw something in me before I did. They told me I had the ability to create world-class musicians, despite not being the best player in the room at the time.

So, I set out to prove them wrong. I became the best musician I could be, playing with artists across nearly every genre. And yet, in the end, teaching found me anyway. When I moved to Los Angeles, I knew I had to teach to make ends meet—but it quickly became more than that. It became a haven for me—financially, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, physically. Now, I love teaching in a way young Chris never saw coming.

Teaching by Connection Over Curriculum

I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all teaching. Age doesn’t matter, experience doesn’t matter—what matters is connection. Every student is different, so my job is to read the room, understand their goals, and adjust on the fly.

Some students need structure, others need play. Some need a firm push, others need humor and levity. My ability to tune in to a student’s needs, meet them where they are, and adjust in real-time is what makes my teaching unique.

The goal is never just to play—it’s to play with control, confidence, and longevity. Technique isn’t about one “right” way to hold a stick, pluck a string, or hit a key. It’s about making sure a student can execute exactly what they want, at the speed they need, without risking injury. Some approaches will work better than others. Together, we’ll refine their technique so it serves them, not the other way around.

Bruce Lee once said:

“I do not fear the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks one time. I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

That philosophy applies to music too. Mastery isn’t about learning everything—it’s about learning what truly matters and perfecting it. We focus on building strong, reliable techniques that allow them to play exactly what they want, at any tempo, with ease. Whether they dream of blistering drum fills, intricate guitar solos, or refined classical phrasing, the key is deliberate practice, refinement, and repetition. We take the time to hone the right techniques so when the moment comes, their playing is effortless, precise, and expressive.

Teaching Method: The Song Will Tell You What to Play

I believe in listening first—to the music, to the student, to the moment. The song will tell you what to play. Whether you’re working on a classical piece, a rock anthem, or an improvisational groove. You don’t force music, you listen to it, you respond to it, and you bring out what it needs.

I guide students in that process. I help them hear what the music is asking of them, and then show them how to deliver it—whether that means breaking down technique, refining feel, or developing the confidence to trust their instincts.

Cultural Awareness in Music

Teaching music is never just music—it’s stories, a histories, a cultures.

If you’re going to play music from a different tradition, you owe it the respect of understanding its roots, purpose, and feel.

I don’t just teach technique; I teach awareness. I want students to have at least some knowledge of the cultural context behind the music they play. Playing something correctly and playing something with authenticity and soul are two very different things.

Building Confidence, One Lesson at a Time

For most students, progress isn’t about talent—it’s about overcoming roadblocks. My job is to help them figure out what’s holding them back, break down those barriers, and guide them toward their goals. Whether it’s technical challenges, performance anxiety, or just feeling stuck in their playing, there’s always a solution—we just have to find it together.

Performance & The Power of Playing Live

Music is a performance art. Even if you’re not a professional musician, learning to perform—whether in front of a crowd or just for yourself—is essential to developing confidence, adaptability, and real-world playing skills. Music wasn’t “for professionals” until relatively recently, it was a shared, communal experience. Playing live, to me, is about joining a community much more than chasing fame and fortune.

I encourage all my students to embrace performance opportunities as a vital part of our teaching journey.

Students have the opportunity to participate in recitals at BluePrint Music Studios, where they can showcase their progress in a real performance setting. These events provide a chance to develop confidence, adaptability, and real-world playing experience in a supportive environment.

Final Thoughts on Teachings

At the core of everything I do is adaptability, connection, and trust. There’s no single “right” way to teach music—there’s only the right way for each student. My job is to find it, refine it, and help them unlock their potential in the way that makes the most sense for them.

Chris offers lessons in his studio at BluePrint Music Studios for a convenient, personalized learning experience.

Materials for lessons can be purchased from the following local music stores: Nick Rail Music, Instrumental Music, Guitar Center, or various places online. For what is needed for your lesesons, please feel free to Contact us.

Subjects & Levels Taught:

No matter where you are in your musical journey, Chris will help you play with confidence, grow at your own pace, and enjoy the process.