Student Testimonials
Norbert
Mars has been a good teacher for me - supportive, inspiring, dedicated! Nothing feels rushed, everything feels supported and small wins recognized. He's encouraged me to play properly, fingering notes and chords (slowly at first!) to learn to visualize and play them correctly, all the while keeping the other hand doing its job as the musical engine - keeping rhythm and a song’s melody at the forefront. He’s gotten me to play in a relaxed, fluid manner, without holding tension in my body. He’s observant, noticing and redirecting me to improve technique and prevent bad habits. I’m learning different playing techniques, as our lessons are centered around songs we work through, driven by my interests including classic rock, punk, blues, folk, modern alternative and their blends. Mars nicely matches my growing song list against what I’m ready for, or how much I want to push myself. Another win: I can now sing along with some songs that I’m mastering. So, yeah, he’s building my guitar skills in chunks that, strung together, drive me to want to learn and play more.
Erica Pinkus
Soon after I began guitar lessons with him at the age of ten, Mars' extensive technical expertise and supportive teaching style enabled me to recognize and embrace my artistic potential. Now at twenty-seven, his invigorating and immutable passion for teaching continues to nurture my identity as a musician.
Eric
Music has always been a passion and about twenty years ago my wife gifted me with a rental guitar, amp, and lessons with Mars. I fell in love with the guitar in large part due to Mars - providing a good blend of fundamental lessons as well as learning by working through songs. Rock is my favorite, but we tackle punk to blues and many genres- each has something to teach. We both moved out of the Chicago area, but recently reconnected for our Saturday lessons. I recently bought a bass guitar and he’s making the learning process fun as I make progress, often with a video clip of him slowly playing a part that’s difficult for me. Great player, instructor, and friend. Many more years of guitar ahead of me!