Santa Cruz Guitar School - Soquel, California

Jaymee M.

Joel is the best!! I learned so much music theory in a very small amount of time taking one on one lessons with him. His pricing is super reasonable given his vast knowledge of music theory and ability to cater his lesson plan to exactly what you’re looking to learn. He helped me write songs and now I know how to write songs by myself properly with the tools he gave me. Thanks so much Joel!! Highly recommend taking lessons with him if you get the chance!

Christina N.

My guitar posted outside of the guitar school 🙂

Can’t say enough good things about Joel & the opportunity to learn at his guitar school. Patience & proactive to help meet my guitar needs. Super easy to talk to and very flexible… as he lives local to his studio.

I would recommend ! I am doing the 45 min lessons for a month, he even offers a free trial lesson which makes him standout among the other schools in town.

Invest in your life and guitar lessons, I’m so glad I decided to use money as a tool for creativity !

RP 5.

Joel is a great instructor! I've been working with him over the past year as I've become more serious about my guitar journey. He's knowledgeable, patient, flexible, and has a great approach to help you become creative and get out of your comfort zones. I definitely recommend Joel and the Santa Cruz Guitar School. His studio is in a great location and is set up perfectly for playing music. Thanks Joel! Looking forward to more lessons with you soon!

Charlie Y.

Joel is a great guitar teacher. His lessons are always fun and are a great mix of learning music you like combined with technique and just enough music theory to be useful. Always positive and encouraging. Would recommend to players of all levels. Thanks Joel!

Joanne G.

Joel is great! On my first lesson he helped me become a better guitar player right away. I have been playing (self taught) for a few years and wasn't sure if I would be able to ever get it. I met with Joel and he showed me a few things the first hour we met that I brought home and my husband noticed right away that I had improved. With each lesson I leave with more skills and confidence. From what settings to use in my amp, to changing my strings, to technique and more. I'm thrilled how much I have learned in such a short time. I definitely recommend taking lessons from Joel!

Ace G.

An all around awesome experience! I signed up for Joel's group lessons several months ago - I'd been playing guitar for several years, but I felt I'd reached sort of a plateau where I just wasn't able to make progress. I could immediately tell that Joel clearly eats, breathes and lives guitar, and his enthusiasm shows through. Right away, Joel was able to get me started on some new exercises and techniques that make me feel like I'm progressing again (and I am!)

The main thing that impressed me about Joel, though, was that he's all things to all people: He's extremely patient and encouraging with beginning players and can also talk shop all day with experienced players. He's great fun to jam with, but he really, really knows his stuff! Questions about music theory, equipment, techniques and styles - I haven't been able to stump him yet.

Bottom line, I highly, highly recommend SC Guitar School, whatever your experience level is. The intro lesson is free, so you've got nothing to lose. They offer both individual and group lessons. Personally, I like the group lessons, because you get to meet (and jam with) other local guitar players. Maybe I'll see you there one of these days 🙂

Tim B.

I've been taking guitar lessons here with Joel since Dec. of 2018. Having already been playing for some 25 years (and being self-taught), I wanted to learn the correct way to play, from someone who knew what they were doing. I also wanted to learn to play lead guitar a bit. Joel has more than exceeded my expectations. We've covered lead guitar, rhythm, theory, songwriting, and so much more, and in just about every genre. Joel is not only a guitar virtuoso, but a really great instructor as well. I look forward to going to my lessons every week, as I know it will always be laid back, fun, informative, and definitely never intimidating experience. Want results? My playing has dramatically improved. I was stuck in rut playing the same same old thing for at least a decade. Within months I was playing stuff I never dreamed could come out of my guitar. I've seen him work with the beginners as well. Always patient, relaxed, supportive, and never intimidating.

Jim L.

Joel is an outstanding guitar instructor. He is able to tailor my individual program with just the right amount of practical guitar playing combined with some musical theory. Plus, he makes it all a lot of fun. I would recommend him for students of all ages and skill levels. I only wish I had started years ago!