Get Music Lessons at The Fret House 

The Fret House offers instruction in all styles of guitar, bass, drums, banjo, mandolin, lap and pedal steel, piano, reeds, brass, and strings!

Lessons are 30 minute private lessons unless otherwise arranged. Teachers set their own rates, currently $20 to $35 per half hour, generally paid monthly in advance. Schedule your lessons in the store or on the phone! 626-339-7020

MEET THE TEACHERS!

Chips Barranco

Teaches: Guitar

Chips is a charismatic working musician who is pursuing a career as a performer and instructor. He began teaching in 2013 and since then has included teaching as a big part of his musicianship. Apart from receiving private instruction in piano and guitar under a dedicated instructor for 11 years, he's earned credits in theory and performance at both Citrus College and Mt. San Antonio College where he specialized in contemporary pop styles and jazz. Chips takes an effective well-rounded approach with beginning students while also taking a disciplined method in technique and sight-reading with his intermediate students. He is outstandingly committed to the success of his students and will work with any varying goals of musicianship.

Available: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

George Boravich

Teaches:Electric Bass (all styles) and Guitar (beginning students-rock, folk,jazz, country):

George Boravich has been teaching electric bass at The Fret House for over twenty years. His curriculum focuses on music theory, reading, and styles applied to electric bass. With an extensive background playing rock, jazz, country, bluegrass, Latin, and blues, George is qualified to offer a very comprehensive approach to bass instruction. With over twenty-five years experience as a freelance bassist in the Los Angeles area George has played everything from musical theater to rock concerts. He also has considerable showroom experience in Atlantic City, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and Las Vegas.

George teaches beginning guitar students with a friendly, customized approach based on each student's abilities. Whether you are an intermediate bassist/guitarist or just starting out, George's personable approach to instruction will make the learning process a positive and enjoyable experience.

Available: Mondays, Tuesdays

Les Johnson

Teaches: Guitar (Jazz, Rock, Commercial), Beginning Electric Bass, and Beginning Violin.

Guitarist/teacher Les Johnson graduated cum laude from California State University at Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. Since the age of eighteen, he has been performing professionally in a wide variety of musical situations ranging from a performance at the Playboy Jazz Festival to playing Dolly Parton’s bass player in the movie “Get To The Heart—The Barbara Mandrell Story”. He received a fellowship to play in the Aspen Jazz Ensemble under the direction of UCLA professor and clarinetist Gary Gray. Les is also a veteran of several tours performing for U. S. peacekeeping and NATO forces in Bosnia and Kosovo, and for U.S. troops in Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He teaches guitar and violin at the Fret House and continues to play professionally. In addition to being a credentialed music teacher in the Ontario-Montclair School District, Les recently earned a master’s degree in music at CSULA. Les Johnson has performed with: Woody Herman, Herb Ellis, Shorty Rogers, Buddy Tate (sax w/Count Basie), clarinetist Eddie Daniels, film composer Dave Grusin (The Graduate, On Golden Pond), The Coasters, and blues guitarist Pee Wee Crayton.

Available: Thursdays, Fridays.

Marcia Bateman

Teaches: Voice and Beginning Piano

Marcia Martinez Bateman, soprano, received her education from Boston University (BMus) and New England Conservatory of Music (MM). Ms. Bateman has given concerts in Guadalajara, Mexico; Berlin, Germany and Den Hague, Holland. On Stage, Ms. Bateman has had success with both Opera and Musical Theatre. She has performed in Vanessa, Romeo et Juliette, Pirates of Penzance, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Patience, Oklahoma, Into the Woods, Bye Bye Birdie, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream coat just to name a few. As an educator, Ms. Bateman has taught music successfully in grades Tk-12 in not only a classroom environment but also in developing choral programs. Marcia has taught voice and piano privately for 16 years and specializes in the Bel Canto technique for singing. Regardless of your style of singing, Marcia enjoys bringing the best out in her students and helping them reach their potential. Please visit her website to learn more. https://mabateman1.wixsite.com/learntosing

Available: Saturdays

Mark Switzer

Teaches: Guitar (Lap Steel, Pedal Steel, Mandolin, and Banjo)

Available: Wednesdays.

Tom Seymour

Teaches: Guitar (Beginners and Fingerstyle), autoharp, and ukelele.

Tom Seymour is the founder and owner of The Fret House. He began teaching guitar in 1963 during the folk era. He has primarily taught private lessons and group classes in adult education and he maintains a small teaching load to this day. He prefers to teach students from the beginning of their studies. He is retired from teaching elementary school (primary grades).

Available: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays.