kevintheclassicalguitarist.com
Kevin The Classical Guitarist

A qualified classical guitarist and registered music teacher, I offer private online lessons in classical and fingerstyle guitar. From young teens to senior learners, I welcome students of all levels, whether beginner, advanced, or anything in between!

Although classical guitar is played fingerstyle, not all fingerstyle guitar music is classical: from Bach to Beck through Beethoven, Barrios, and the Beatles, I can help – see my credentials and library. Originally from France, I relocated to NZ 23+ years ago and hold all three with Distinction a Music Diploma in classical guitar performance and two MA & PhD postgraduate degrees in sound perception. I teach guitar full-time and pride myself on the high professionalism I uphold in all aspects of my work. 

Post-Covid, my students’ massive preference to remaining online speaks volumes about what online lessons have to offer in terms of both travel time/cost savings and learning experience outcomes. Online guitar lessons are: customized & flexible to suit individual goals; structured & progressive to ensure optimal outcomes; relaxed & engaging to keep the fun going! More below, where you will find videos of students showcasing some of their learning as well as testimonials about my teaching and playing.

In short, I take great joy in sharing my passion and helping students grow as guitarists, for ‘without music, life would be a mistake!’ (Nietzsche). I’m only a click away so please don’t hesitate to reach out through my contact form, and I’ll be back in touch in a hemidemisemiquaver!

If you enjoy, please like & share! 

Affiliations

  • Institute of Registered Music Teachers NZ
  • Music Teacher Directory / Music Teachers Online
  • Classic Guitar Society of Auckland / NZ Suzuki Institute 
  • Lewis Eady Music School – Chiron Group NZ
  • Rockshop NZ /  Music Works

Credentials

  • Music Teacher Registration (classical guitar & music theory) – IRMTNZ
  • Music Performance Diploma (classical guitar, distinction) – TCL
  • Music Teacher Entrance Exam (music theory, distinction) – NZMSM
  • MA (distinction) & PhD (distinction) postgraduate degrees – SORBONNE
  • Suzuki Guitar School (all volumes) / Philosophy (certificate) – NZSI

Term Lessons

  • Lessons in classical/Spanish/fingerstyle guitar & music theory to suit individual learning goals: online lessons can be with or without a graded-exam focus: 
    • 45 mins: $55 

      TERMS & CONDITIONS

      • Term lessons are charged on a school term basis and must be prepaid in full for booking confirmation: if the term has already started but it’s still early days, these are adjusted pro rata; if the term is well underway then casual lessons can bridge the wait until the next.
      • Term lessons are non-refundable (unless required by law) and non-transferable, including in the case of student cancellations/no-shows: minimum 48h cancellation notice to request a make-up lesson (limit of 2 and which must be redeemed within the same term); cancellations under 48h and no-shows are not eligible for make-up lessons.
      • To protect our mutual rights to privacy, all online lessons operate on a strict no-recording policy.
      • All teaching materials used are strictly reserved for the student’s personal private study, and as such may not be reproduced/transmitted in any manner whatsoever, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent from their copyright owner(s).

      FAQ

      • What’s the difference between term lessons and casual lessonsTerm lessons are for students with long-term learning goals and therefore seeking ongoing lessons on a weekly basis; casual lessons are for students with shorter-term learning goals (eg. upcoming exam, specific piece request, trial lesson, etc.) and therefore seeking lessons on an as-and-when-needed basis.
      • Can I meet up with you before deciding? Yes, I am happy to arrange a (free) Zoom/Google Meet chat to answer any questions. 
      • Can I trial one term lesson before signing up? Yes, and which will count towards your term invoice if you do decide to continue on; if not, it will be invoiced as a one-off casual lesson instead.
      • How many weekly lessons are there in a term? Between 10 and 12, depending on school term dates and public holidays and whether you wish to include/exclude school holidays. 
      • Can I sign up for term lessons if  the term has already started?  Yes, if the term has already started but it’s still early days (and in which case fees are adjusted pro rata); if the term is well underway then casual lessons can bridge the wait until the next.
      • Where do you teach? I teach online via Zoom/Google Meet.
      • How does online teaching work? I use Zoom/Google Meet as they have useful tools built in and can be launched simply by clicking the weblink invite I send out by email. Online lessons are encrypted and have a strict no-recordings policy to protect our privacy and allow us to be ourselves.
      • Do you also teach during school holidays? Yes, students often opting to continue on without breaks.
      • Do you teach electric guitar? I specialize in classical/Spanish & fingerstyle guitar, and so exclusively teach acoustic guitar.
      • Is there a minimum/maximum age to give online guitar learning a go? It’s usually best to wait until children turn 12, by which time they have enough computer skills, motivation, and concentration to learn effectively. After that, as long as hands and fingers can move, everyone is good to go: my most senior beginner is well into her 80s!
      • What gear do I need to get started? Students must have their own acoustic guitar. If you don’t have one and would like some help, please check out add-on options for assistance.
      • Can you help me choose a new guitar? Yes, for a small $25 flat fee I can provide online assistance to help choose a guitar that is right for both you and your budget. 
      • Can I settle my invoice in instalments? No, the term must be prepaid in full for booking confirmation. 
      • Do you accept international payments? Yes, through PayPal, which is easy, fast and secure, and to no extra cost to students as all associated Paypal fees are on me! 
      • Can I get a refund/credit if I miss a lesson or change my mind? No, term lessons are non-refundable (unless required by law) and non-transferable, including in the case of student cancellations/no-shows; minimum 48h cancellation notice to receive a make-up lesson (no more than 2 per term and which must be redeemed within that same term).

              Casual Lessons

              • Lessons in classical/Spanish/fingerstyle guitar & music theory to suit individual learning goals: online lessons can be with or without a graded-exam focus:
                • 45 mins: $65

                  TERMS & CONDITIONS

                  • Casual lessons are charged on an as-and-when-needed basis and must be prepaid in full for booking confirmation.
                  • Casual lessons are non-refundable (unless required by law) and non-transferable, including in the case of student cancellations/no-shows: minimum 48h cancellation notice to reschedule for free; cancellations under 48h are subject to a rescheduling fee of $20; no-shows are not reschedulable and will forfeit the full lesson fee.
                  • To protect our mutual rights to privacy, all online lessons operate on a strict no-recording policy.
                  • All teaching materials used are strictly reserved for the student’s personal private study, and as such may not be reproduced/transmitted in any manner whatsoever, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent from their copyright owner(s).

                  FAQ

                  • What’s the difference between term lessons and casual lessonsTerm lessons are for students with long-term learning goals and therefore seeking ongoing lessons on a weekly basis; casual lessons are for students with shorter-term learning goals (e.g. upcoming exam, specific piece request, trial lesson, etc.) and therefore seeking lessons on an as-and-when-needed basis.
                  • Can I meet up with you before deciding? Yes, I am happy to arrange a (free) Zoom/Google Meet chat to answer any questions. 
                  • How many casual lessons can I book at once? As many or few as you wish, as these are scheduled on an as-and-when-needed basis.
                  • Where do you teach? I teach online via Zoom/Google Meet.
                  • How does online teaching work? I use Zoom/Google Meet as they have useful tools built in and can be launched simply by clicking the weblink invite I send out by email. Online lessons are encrypted and have a strict no-recordings policy to protect our privacy and allow us to be ourselves. 
                  • Do you also teach during school holidays? Yes, students often opting to continue on without breaks.
                  • Do you teach electric guitar? I specialize in classical/Spanish & fingerstyle guitar, and so exclusively teach acoustic guitar.
                  • Is there a minimum/maximum age to give online guitar learning a go? It’s usually best to wait until children turn 12, by which time they have enough computer skills, motivation, and concentration, to learn effectively. After that, as long as hands and fingers can move, everyone is good to go: my most senior beginner is well into her 80s!
                  • What gear do I need to get started? Students must have their own acoustic guitar. If you don’t have one, for a small $25 flat fee I can provide online assistance to help choose a guitar that is right for both you and your budget. 
                  • Can I settle my invoice in instalments? No, casual lessons must be prepaid in full for booking confirmation. 
                  • Do you accept international payments? Yes, through PayPal, which is easy, fast and secure, and to no extra cost to students as all associated Paypal fees are on me! 
                  • Can I get a refund if I miss a lesson or change my mind? No, casual lessons are non-refundable (unless required by law) and non-transferable, including in the case of student cancellations/no-shows: minimum 48h cancellation notice to reschedule for free; cancellations under 48h are subject to a rescheduling fee of $20; no-shows are not reschedulable and will forfeit the full lesson fee.

                  Gift Lessons

                  • The gift of music is a special one so gift e-cards are a great way of saying Happy Birthday, Merry Xmas, or simply I Love You to that special someone. Casual lesson fees apply:
                    • 45 mins: $65    

                      TERMS & CONDITIONS

                      • Gift e-cards are valid 12 months from date of purchase and subject to mutual availability with their recipient(s).
                      • Gift e-cards are non-refundable (unless required by law), including in the case of student cancellations/no-shows, and must be redeemed within 12 months from date of purchase.
                      • To protect our mutual rights to privacy, all online lessons operate on a strict no-recording policy.
                      • All teaching materials used are strictly reserved for the student’s personal private study, and as such may not be reproduced/transmitted in any manner whatsoever, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent from their copyright owner(s).

                      FAQ

                      • What do gift e-cards look like? These are viewable from my library.
                      • Can I meet up with you before buying a gift e-card? Yes, I am happy to arrange a (free) Zoom/Google Meet chat to answer any questions.
                      • How many gift lessons can I purchase at once? As many or few as you wish, as these are scheduled on an as-and-when-needed basis.
                      • Can gift e-cards be used at any time? Yes, any time within 12 months from date of purchase and subject to mutual availability with the giftee.
                      • Where do you teach? I teach online via Zoom/Google Meet.
                      • How does online teaching work? I use Zoom/Google Meet as they have useful tools built in and can be launched simply by clicking the weblink invite I send out by email. Online lessons are encrypted and have a strict no-recordings policy to protect our privacy and allow us to be ourselves.
                      • Do you teach electric guitar? I specialize in classical/Spanish & fingerstyle guitar, and so exclusively teach acoustic guitar.
                      • Is there a minimum/maximum age to give online guitar learning a go? It’s usually best to wait until children turn 12, by which time they usually have enough computer skills, motivation, and concentration to learn effectively. After that, as long as hands and fingers can move, everyone is good to go: my most senior beginner is well into her 80s!
                      • What gear do I need to get started? Students must have their own acoustic guitar. If the giftee doesn’t have one, for a small $25 flat fee I can provide online assistance to help recommend a guitar that is right for the occasion. 
                      • Do you accept international payments? Yes, through PayPal, which is easy, fast and secure, and to no extra cost to students as all associated Paypal fees are on me! 
                      • Can I get a refund if I change my mind or if the giftee misses their lesson(s)? No, gift e-cards are non-refundable (unless required by law), including in the case of student cancellations/no-shows, and must be redeemed within 12 months from date of purchase.

                                    Cornelius, 10 weeks after picking up classical guitar…

                                    “I am so happy to get taught by Kevin! He motivates and demands in a very positive way. Without having any pressure, I recognize my weekly progress while showing him what I practiced over the week. No single lesson gets boring, cause he always comes up with a new exercise or idea on how to improve my skills: his knowledge of classical guitar music is impressive!”

                                    …and another 12 weeks further down the learning track.

                                    Shawn, 31 weeks after starting classical guitar from scratch!

                                    “My son Shawn is learning classical guitar with Kevin. He is a great teacher and very friendly to deal with. Shawn is a quiet boy and Kevin always encourages him, finding new ways to help him improve his natural abilities but also expecting him to exceed his past limitations. We’re so happy and definitely recommend Kevin to everyone!”

                                    Christine sharing an arpeggio challenge for her right hand.

                                    “I’ve been learning classical guitar online from Kevin for 3 terms now and can say that he truly is a fantastic teacher! I really enjoy my Zoom learning with Kevin: he is very patient and encouraging, always well prepared for lessons, and he plans out our learning for the term ahead. I feel I’ve made great improvement in terms of both rhythm and technique. Thanks Kevin!”

                                    Itching to do more than strum? So was Alan, 6 months ago…

                                    “The online classical guitar lessons that I’ve done with Kevin via Zoom have helped me improve my technique and musicianship much more than I expected. His balance between structural and flexible teaching has been perfect for someone like me who has a messy knowledge of guitar. With a professional yet friendly approach, Kevin is top notch!”

                                    Onwards & upwards for Toberts, who reached out for help!

                                    “I’m very lucky to have Kevin as a coach for my Trinity guitar exams: he is very keen to give the right technique for each piece! I have just done several coaching sessions and now my playing is more solid than before with the better techniques learned. Having him as my coach is a great way to improve my classical guitar playing as I move up to higher grades.”

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