One of my central goals as a teacher is to help students discover how music can play a meaningful and positive role in their lives. Together we focus on developing not just their strong instrumental skills, but also cultivating their unique musical identities. By creating inclusive and supportive learning environments, I aim to foster artistic growth, build confidence, and inspire a lifelong appreciation of music.

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In lessons, students explore a wide range of styles—from classical and acoustic fingerstyle to blues and rock. Whether we are working on a Bach prelude or studying a 12-bar blues, the focus remains on developing fluency, ease, and expressive playing on the guitar. At the same time, students gain the skills and knowledge needed to perform confidently with others and to approach new music with independence and curiosity. This growth is supported through structured technical development, thoughtful repertoire study, and the development of personalized practice routines.

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I bring over a decade of experience in higher education and hold a Master’s degree in Music from Syracuse University. I have served on the faculties of Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Onondaga Community College, where I taught private lessons, chamber ensembles, and classroom-based music courses.

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My students have gone on to pursue music at leading institutions such as Syracuse University, SUNY Potsdam,  and the Berklee College of Music.

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In addition to my academic work, I am the founder and director of The Westcott Music Collective, a community-based music studio offering private instruction to students of all ages and backgrounds. I also serve as President of the Great Lakes Guitar Society, an organization dedicated to fostering community through the arts and providing accessible educational programming to the public.