"I am totally delighted to enthusiastically recommend Eric as a guitar teacher.

First of all, the basics - he's prompt, reliable, very knowledgeable and a good communicator. He's also a well respected local musician. For me, Eric's real strength is that he knows how to draw out the struggling musician lurking deep inside of me which has so long sought expression.

I've played guitar for about 35 years, but was almost entirely self-taught. I was pretty exclusively an acoustic finger-stylist, and pretty primitive despite having played for so long. I've been taking lessons from Eric for almost three years now, and I have grown enormously as a musician. He challenges me, but keeps things at a level where I can achieve what he sets out. We usually start with whatever questions I have left over from the week's practice, then we'll work on some new concepts (sometimes theory, sometimes technique, sometimes just a new song I want to learn), then we spend time just playing together. This is where I see my real growth. Some teachers can't resist demonstrating their own virtuosity at this point, but Eric keeps his playing gentlemanly, so that I can explore my own limits. Some days are good days, some days I just can't seem to find my groove, but he's always patient. Finally, he gives me timely and specific feedback so that I can work on particular aspects of my playing.

Eric also goes way above and beyond what I would expect of a guitar teacher. He keeps me informed of local events, he keeps an eye on my instruments and rehabs them for me when he sees something that needs some care, he gives me advice on new equipment I might consider adding to my growing collection, he brings me DVDs or CDs he thinks would foster my development, he arranges gigs where a bunch of his students get together and jam (talk about a learning opportunity - I used to be so afraid to play in front of other people)... I could go on, but the point is that I'm not just a paycheck to him - he seems to take professional pride in helping me to grow. He's a teacher's teacher.

If you have any further questions, I'd be happy to answer them. I really recommend Eric in the highest possible terms.

Good luck on your journey,

Virginia _____"

Ref#2...

"Eric's the best.

Read more if you like, but that's the conclusion.I recommend him very highly. He's young, but knows his stuff. He can take you any where you want to go with your playing. He is a patient advisor and a fantastic player, in his own right. If he lived in Hollywood or Nashville, he'd be on the radio as I write this -- he's that good.

Best of luck with your playing, no matter who you select.

One bit of advice: get an experienced player (such as Eric) to help you select your first guitar, and spend TWICE what you had planned. Good guitars are easier for ALL of us to play, and many newbies quit guitar after struggling with a "bargain." A quality guitar is a friend who will relax you, reward you with beautiful sound, and always be available for helping you to grow, intellectually, by understanding the magic of music better and better.

Yes, your fingertips will be sore for a while.

Dave ______"

Ref#3...

"My son Henry (15 1/2) has been taking guitar from Eric for about two and a half years.  He's had a terrific experience, and when I asked him about it, he said:  

"Eric is great at working within your interests, but also expanding them by exploring different musical concepts.  He's really good at conveying the technical aspects of playing guitar, and knows a lot about theory.  He makes the lessons exciting and fun."  He also said that Eric is very laid back and he enjoys spending time with him.

I would add that Eric has been very flexible with us, and recently accommodated a last minute distress call to help Henry prepare for a performance.  He strikes me as exceptionally intuitive, and has a good feel for individual student strengths.  

Feel free to contact me if you would like any additional information.  

Colleen_____"