Guitar teachers


Mark Cox

Available on for lessons on Monday

Mark Cox, guitar teacher

Mark Cox has been playing guitar since he was 14 years old. Initially, he taught himself how to play by just learning a few chords and then playing songs (mostly by U2) right away. Now after 25 years of experience, he still loves playing the guitar and is enthusiastic about passing this skill on to others.

Mark believes in using a song-based approach to learning the guitar. Basically he teaches a few chords and a little theory, and then jumps into playing real songs right away. He finds this approach keeps the guitar fun and addresses aspects of technique as they arise and apply to specific songs by popular artists. Mark tailors his lessons and song selections to the taste of each individual student, so whether you want to play rock, folk, country, or metal, he'll make sure you learn the style of guitar you enjoy.

Mark is a very patient and encouraging teacher who works well with all ages, and has particular experience with youth.


Dave Ernst

Available for lessons on Saturday

Dave Ernst, guitar teacher

Attending Berklee College of Music during 1994/1995 in Boston gave Dave the knowledge to develop his own methodology of teaching, where he uses his own theoretical text for fingerboard harmony in the contexts of modal jazz, blues and rock. He has played, taught and recorded in the U.S., Russia and Thailand. A professional player for over 30 years and a first rate teacher for over 20, Dave is also fluent in the Celtic guitar style. He has had a book published by Alfred on that subject.


Carlos Guadarrama

Available for lessons on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Carlos Guadarrama, guitar teacher

For over 30 years Carlos has been playing in many different musical situations. He has performed professionally in Jazz, Classical, Rock, and other music styles. In Mexico City he was a number one call for recording the guitar and bass for Film Scores. He attended the Dick Grove School of Music, where he studied Composition, Arranging, and Film Scoring. He has been teaching for over 20 years.

Carlos also teaches Bass, Mandolin, Ukulele, and Rock Classes.

Languages spoken: English and Spanish.


Vincent Thai

Available for lessons on Friday and Saturday

Vincent Thai, guitar teacher

Vinh is a composer and pianist who is familiar with many styles of music. He has played Classical, New Age, Jazz, Rock, Pop/Rock and Latin. He has a degree in music from SFSU. With extensive teaching experience in private and group settings, Vinh enjoys presenting new and interesting music to his students, letting them explore the beauty of every style. He has scored music for short films and composed Pop/Rock music for his performing band.

Languages spoken: Chinese Cantonese, Vietnamese, Spanish and English.

Vinh also teaches piano.


Thomas Walsh

Available for lessons on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Thomas Walsh, guitar teacher

Thomas Walsh has been playing the guitar from the age of 6. Since then, Thomas has graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts and from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Mr. Walsh has concertized in major cities around the globe such as London, Cairo, Lisbon, and Madrid, San Francisco and New York in both solo concerts and with his guitar and voice duo, Duo Fado.

Thomas teaches classical guitar along with popular, folk and jazz. All levels are welcome and encouraged. Thomas creates a fun and enthusiastic environment to learn the guitar. Thomas’s students have gone on to attend conservatories, local arts high school such as SOTA, and simply enjoying playing in their local rock band.