A seasoned guitarist, performer and committed educator with over 35 years of experience.  Mike has a Bachelors Degree in music from The University of California at Santa Cruz and a Master’s Certificate  in Scoring and Orchestrating Music for Film and TV from the Berklee College of Music, and has been a performing and recording artist for over 35 years. He has toured and played festivals all over the world, and brings this experience into his lessons. ​

Mike is originally a Pasadena native, but moved to Spain right after college, where he made the beautiful city of Madrid his home, working in the music industry for 23 years. He is fluent, experienced  and comfortable teaching in Spanish as well as English.

 

He also brings his extensive knowledge and passion for many styles of music into his lessons, being able to cover a wide range of genres in his teaching.  From Rock, Surf, Pop, Blues, Jazz, to Metal, Country, or Classical Music to name a few, he enjoys passing this passion on to students of all ages, levels and backgrounds. He also has a unique talent for identifying his learners  strengths, developing different and effective education plans for each student he works with. Whether its for a First Grader just discovering the joys of music,  someone who wants to take their playing to the next level  or someone who has always wanted to learn an instrument and finally has the time, Mike is able to cater to your needs.

 

Mike relocated back to Pasadena, CA, with his wife Nuria and their son Michael in 2010. Since then he has been performing and recording with local bands while also teaching at the Altadena Academy of Music for the last 11 years, and privately, both in person and remotely.

 

Now his lessons are available in person from his newly renovated and fully dedicated studio, The Music Room, conveniently located in Pasadena, just off Bungalow Heaven. Lessons are also available virtually, providing flexible high quality instruction, tailored to your needs. 

 

Mike specializes in guitar -electric and acoustic, bass and Ukulele, but his studio also offers instruction in Piano, Violin, Cello and Voice, by dedicated experienced professionals with amazing credentials and a love for teaching the gift of music!