Teaching Experience: I have extensive experience teaching private, semi-private and group lessons…more than two hundred students over the years. My business model of teaching in people’s homes and online has proven to be very effective and convenient for my students (see references below).
I also have years of experience teaching at community establishments, including group lessons at the Bonney Lake (WA) Senior Center and the Buckley (WA) Youth Activity Center…and many large-group lessons/workshops at the Seven Summits Lodge in Tehaleh @ Bonney Lake. I have also taught weekly guitar group sessions and a weekly Ukulele Circle at Blue Mountain Yoga+ in Sequim, WA.
Because I taught in elementary schools for 25 years, I’m very comfortable working with students as young as 6 years old, and students of all ages (kids and adults) have always been very comfortable working with me.
Just fyi: My business is licensed in Washington.
Musical Experience: I’ve been a musician for more than thirty years, and have performed in many bands. I’m currently in the band Graf and Lauretano. If you’re interested, check out the eleven original songs we’ve written and released to this point…here’s one: https://grafandlauretano.hearnow.com/take-my-hand-forever …(if you scroll down on that linked page, you can find our other 10 songs).
Studies: I studied classical guitar with Janet Marlow, an amazing guitarist/instructor in Litchfield, Connecticut. I also took private lessons at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford (with a focus on blues and rock), and music theory classes at the University of Connecticut.
References:
“A very kind and skilled teacher who has a real gift for connecting to someone on their own level. As someone who had to be taught how to hold a guitar, let alone play one, I think Dan’s patience and instruction has been amazing. I am truly blessed that I chose him to guide me through this chapter. I’m having a GREAT time and enjoying the music that he has brought back into my life. I now have my 16 year old Grandson taking lessons from him and he loves Dan as well. I would recommend him to anyone.” Willow Flint (Bonney Lake, WA)
“From the first lesson with Dan his 20 plus years as an educator is obvious. He makes you feel comfortable right away and then starts teaching you in a way that you can learn best. He then has the ability to adapt to whatever style of guitar playing you want to learn. Could be jazz, blues, classical, fingerpick or rock. This is what makes him an outstanding choice for Intermediate and accomplished players wanting to improve or learn a whole new genre. I enjoy Dan because as a long time musician myself, I enjoy a lot of different music and Dan can teach them all. Great player, great guy. I recommend starting today!” Tony Mullins (Bonney Lake, WA)
“I can’t say enough about Dan. He has been teaching my 8 year old daughter how to play the guitar for several months now. I am impressed with the time and process he has taken to personalize my daughter’s lesson plans. He is flexible and is a true teacher. He collaborates with us, makes goals, and adjusts plans to help her reach her goals. He has impacted my daughter with music. I have watched her grow out of her shy shell. She beams with pride whenever she pulls her guitar out. She even “jammed” with total strangers at a guitar store. Good thing they all knew twinkle twinkle. I am so excited to see where this takes her. Thank you Dan!” Lisa Knudsen (Bonney Lake, WA)
“I really appreciate Dan. For literally decades I’ve wanted to learn to play the guitar but nothing ever worked out for me until this year. And I can’t believe the progress we’ve made! As a teacher myself I feel able to say what exceptional teaching skills he has. With my ADD, obsessive-compulsive personality, and a brain injury thrown in on top of that, Dan’s insightfulness and patience guide me gently into learning. I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to our online lessons, my practice times alone, and his ongoing encouragement. He often reminds me that learning to play is a marathon, not a sprint.” Bella Donna (Rising Fawn, GA)
“Dan is an excellent ukulele teacher. He is patient, kind and always prepared, often giving me new material for our online lessons. He listens to my needs and does not try to teach me things I don’t care about. He is very uplifting and fun to learn from. I would recommend him to anyone.” Jami Morton (Prescott, AZ)
“I have taken guitar lessons with Dan since July 2021. We’ve done both in-person and video classes and both have been excellent. I started learning how to play guitar as a teenager. I had a few instructors. After a long haitus, I wanted to take lessons again, which is how I found Dan. Dan is by far the best instructor I’ve had. He’s patient and kind; he challenges me, but keeps the lessons so fun. I highly recommend Dan to any person wanting to learn how to play guitar.” Payal Patel (Bonney Lake, WA)
“My good friend and I have been taking lessons from Dan for nearly 4 months now. I had never played before – and I’m not a young woman – but I absolutely love it and Dan has made it a terrific experience. Dan has been very logical and methodical in the progression of our learning – it has made sense and helped us make strides with each passing lesson. I’m not a disciplined person but I have in fact enjoyed practice; and the time with Dan in our lessons whizzes by. Dan is an amazing and accomplished artist on the guitar – and an excellent teacher.” Marilyn Thoms (Bonney Lake, WA)
“Dan Lauretano is an excellent and caring instructor. My daughter and I have been taking lessons together for a couple years now. We have had a wonderful experience learning songs and skills together. It’s also fun having my daughter to practice and play with outside of class.” Shawn Gough (Bonney Lake, WA)
“We had the pleasure of having Dan Lauretano recommended to us by a friend and neighbor for our son’s ukulele lessons. We had heard from others that Dan was very effective in his music training. Our son has both enjoyed his work with Dan, and has improved immensely in the past two years working with him. What is exceptional to me is Dan’s ability to engage with our son and communicate and challenge him effectively. A tough opportunity with an 8 year old boy! Dan is also very flexible and has a firm grasp on technology. We relocated to another state in the midst of our son’s training with Dan, and using Zoom, Dan has been able to continue our son’s training even from a distance. I highly recommend Dan for your family’s music training needs.” Mike Vincent (Lubbock, TX)
“I met Dan a few months ago and started taking guitar lessons in my home which is very convenient. Dan is very flexible with scheduling as life events do happen. Dan is very experienced in music theory as well as many different genres of music. Every lesson that I’ve taken so far, you can see his skill, experience and love for music which makes me want to practice more and more every day. His love for music is contagious and it has really inspired me. What separates Dan from other guitar teachers is his patience! I highly recommend Dan if you are interested in playing for the first time, needing a refresher, or even if you are an advanced guitarist that would like to learn even more!” James Roberts (Bonney Lake, WA)
“Dan has been giving our 6 year old son lessons for a few months and we are impressed with how much he has learned! Dan is very patient with him, teaches him songs he is interested in learning, and makes it fun! Our son always looks forward to his lesson and even practices without being told. I appreciate that Dan comes to our house making it very easy for our family and comfortable for our son!! I would recommend Dan to people of all ages that want to learn the guitar…he makes it so easy and fun we are impressed every week with how far our son has come in such a short time!” ” Brean Ryhter (Bonney Lake, WA)
“I really can’t say enough about how impressed I am with Dan’s knowledge, teaching style and his patience. I went into this new adventure wondering how well I would do and how quickly I would be able to learn. Dan put me at ease right away with words of encouragement. His teaching style starts the student out at a level they can handle. He guides the student so they learn and have fun but will move your learning along with challenges and strong encouragement along the way. I have to say that I am having the time of my life doing something I always wanted to do but had some hesitation in trying. I am very glad Dan is my instructor and I look forward to learning and working with him for years to come. Thank you Dan” Bob Melhoff (Bonney Lake, WA)
“Dan is a talented musician, patient guy and fun instructor. I began ukulele lessons with Dan a few years ago, and then I moved to the guitar which he instructs both very effectively. He listens to what I am interested in and tailors’ music to my skill and interests. As he no longer makes home visits because he moved, we now hold lessons through Skype which works really well. I would highly recommend Dan as your instructor!” Colleen Clifford (Bonney Lake, WA)
