Guitar Lessons

Ben Miller

Tampa Palms

In early 2008, Ben Miller left his touring band to focus on putting down roots in Tampa. He's a very versatile player with a relaxed attitude. He loves to share his skills with his students. Since joining our American Rock School family, Ben has become one of our most popular teachers. His enthusiasm for music is contagious and and he is constantly broadening his musical knowledge of many styles and sharing with his students.See more Ben videos here,

Russ Peterson

Town & Country

Russell is a classically trained guitarist who has been playing for nearly twenty years. He’s played locally in several rock bands and jazz ensembles, and enjoys teaching rock, jazz, and blues guitar, as well as classical and the bass. His influences include everything from jazz/bebop players, to modern rock shredders, to country chicken pickers. Rather than sticking to a standardized method, Russell prefers to shape his teaching style to match the personal musical interests and natural proclivities of each individual student. So it’s up to you whether you just want to have fun with rock/pop songs, or delve deep into music theory or challenging technical exercises. He enjoys working with everyone, young or old, beginner or advanced.

Brian Buchman

Tampa Palms

Brian Buchman is a classically trained guitarist who has a love for teaching the guitar. Brian holds a bachelors degree in guitar performance from Stetson University where he studied the guitar with Dr. Stephen Robinson. Brian also received a masters degree in guitar performance from Florida State University where he studied with Bruce Holzman. Mr. Buchman has been teaching private guitar lessons for fifteen years in a variety of different styles including classic rock, hard rock, jazz, flamenco and classical. For the past five years Brian has been teaching several music classes at Brevard Community College including Music Theory, Sight Singing/Ear Training, and Guitar Class. Brian has also been teaching at Seminole Community College for the past two years where he also gave classes in Music Theory, Guitar and Guitar Ensemble. While teaching at these community colleges Brian maintained a private studio, teaching between 30 and 40 guitar lessons each week.In addition to teaching Brian has won several Guitar competitions including first prize at the 2001 Columbus International Guitar Competition. In 2000 he was awarded a chair in the Guitar Foundation of America's U.S./Mexico Guitar Orchestra and performed at the convention in San Antonio.While several of Brian's advanced students have auditioned and been accepted to the music programs at University of Central Florida, Florida State and Stetson University, Brian has extensive experience with beginning guitar students of all ages. From a classroom of fourth graders to the retiree who has always dreamed of picking up a guitar, Brian has taught them all.Brian's rock influences include Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Pink Floyd. On the classical side, Brian has taken guitar lessons with Pepe Romero, Elliot Fisk, Oscar Giglia, the Assad brothers, Roland Dyens, Leo Brouwer, Manuel Barrueco, and Scott Tennant. Whether you are a beginner who wants to be inspired or an advanced student looking to refine your playing and learn advanced right or left hand techniques, Brian always keeps the atmosphere fun and the focus on ENJOYING playing the guitar.

David James

Town & Country

David was recommended to American Rock School as one of renowned local instructor and college professor Joe Braccio's most gifted students. David is very good at getting students excited about music. David is a proud parent of a 5 year old girl and has another baby on the way! He still finds time to practice classical and rock "shred" guitar for 2 - 3 hours a day. He also listens to blues, funk, and metal. His influences include Eric Johnson, Nuno Bettancourt, Andre Segovia, and Joe Walsh. David plays bass with the popular Josh Magwood band and performs and records with them in the Tampa Bay area. David is a favorite here and rarely has an opening in his schedule. If you can find one, book it fast. Call 813.888.6683

Steve Savas

Town & Country

All the way from Seminole, Florida, Steve is a down to earth guy who plays locally in the band "My Enemy". His influences range from shred-rocker, Steve Vai to classical guitarist, John Williams. He teaches modern rock/ metal techniques, smokin' country licks, classical guitar and the bass. He graduated from Gibbs High in the Pinellas County Center for the Arts and studied with Joe Braccio. Steve is a very popular teacher, so if you can find a spot in his schedule, take it! Call 813.888.6683

Josh Formanek

Tampa Palms

Joshua Formanek began playing guitar at age 11. He spent up to 6 hours a day rigorously learning every nuance of rock legends such as Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. He also greatly enjoyed rocking out to artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, and Rage Against The Machine. While in high school Josh joined the orchestra first playing cello, then moving to double bass. He also played in the concert band, but gained the most pleasure playing guitar in the jazz band. In 2004 he made the Kentucky All-State Jazz Band as well as winning the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. After high school Josh began attending Central Florida Community College where he performed with the jazz band, jazz combo, variations show band, concert band, and string ensemble.After graduating with his associates degree Josh began attending the University of South Florida where he is now working on his bachelor's degree in jazz studies. He performs various styles of music ranging from jazz to rock in both Ocala and Tampa, also working as a studio musician. He currently enjoys the music of John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Medeski Martin & Wood, but is open-minded and always searching for new sounds. Josh has two years of teaching private lessons under his belt and has taught students ranging from 6 years old to adults more than twice his age. His biggest concerns when teaching is that the student finds it fun and sounds good! Nearly any style of music may be covered ranging from classic rock, hard rock, punk, and metal to jazz, blues, reggae, country and folk. Various concepts may be covered as well, such as reading music, music theory, improvisation, and songwriting. Josh looks forward to helping you achieve your musical goals!.

Nelson Mariscal

Town & Country

Nelson is a young jazz and progressive player who performs around Tampa. He takes teaching seriously and will structure a lesson program for you to get the most out of your playing and learning experience. MORE SOON

Dave Arazmo

Adam Irizarry

Town & Country

Adam Irizarry is a young guitarist who, even at the age of 18, has spent many years playing and studying the guitar. He got his first guitar at age eight along with two private lessons. He and his parents knew that the guitar would always be a big part of Adam's life and that still holds true. Adam has taken private music lessons from some of the Tampa area’s best instructors from the age of eight until he was fifteen. Studying classical, acoustic as well as electric guitar (his forte), Adam's love for the guitar has taken him all over the country.

Adam joined his first rock band at the age of eleven. Working with Radio Disney and other promoters he has performed at the SXSW (South by Southwest Musical Conference) held annually in Austin, Texas. He has preformed on the John Lennon Tour Bus in Los Angels for the NAMM show (National Association of Musical Merchants). Other performances include: Headlining at the USF Sun Dome. New York Yankees opening spring season game, Tamps Devil Rays opening day, Tampa Bay Lighting games at the St. Pete Times Forum, Guavaween,Florida State Fair (including media blitz party), Skippers Smoke House, Friday Extra Concert Series, Pot Bellies, UF Performing Arts Center, Tampa Bay Performance Arts Center. Tampa Museum of Art, playing for Mayor Pam Iorio . NBC's The Daytime Show (live performance), Tampa Bay's Media Talk and many, many other shows with the three rock bands that he has been in.

Adam won the 102.5FM rock radio station's "guitar shootout" contest, getting the most online votes with his performance at the age of 17 years old. Adam was contacted by and is currently working with the multi-platinum record producer Gary Corolla who has worked with NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Brittany Spears, and Aaron Carter. Adam shot a music video with one of Gary's bands recently and Adam also has a spotlight article in the new magazine Sorcha (an underground rock magazine for the bay area).

Adam is a 2008 graduate from Blake Performing Arts High School where he studied classical guitar for four years. Adam has taken AP Music theory and has been giving private guitar lessons for over a year. Adam is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in guitar and music theory.

Adam’s influences are Randy Rhoads, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Steve Vai, Slash, Jimmy Page, and others. Adam brings his experiences into the classroom with each student. Adam is dedicated to the guitar, whether it is performing, writing, teaching or learning.