Group Guitar
Winter/Spring 2024 Adult Group Guitar
Saturdays from 2-3:15pm
Full registration (10 classes): $200; Drop in Fee: $25 (Register below!)
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Need music? No time to practice? Relax!
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Join MO guitar instructor, Casey Nielsen, learning fundamentals and making music every lesson in a relaxed atmosphere. Together we'll work on the chords, scales, techniques, and songs, which allow students to musically engage with on their own level.
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This class is developed to serve students who are craving a musical experience but whose busy lives are prohibitive to long dedicated practice and weekly private lessons. The classes are split into a couple levels where students work toward playing a small repertoire of tunes. Each class is run the same way with elemental exercises that foster making music with others and connecting to the guitar at whatever level the students are at. Beginners and those who can't practice very much will be less refined in their playing but still able to play along and hopefully make music!
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About the Instructor
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Casey Nielsen has been teaching private guitar lessons throughout the Chicagoland area since 2002. Comfortable teaching jazz, classical, and popular guitar, he focuses on what fundamentals a student is in need of, and what path will best compliment their personality and unique strengths. Having himself learned so much from listening to CD's, he likes to lead students by example of the recordings of great guitarists. He dislikes pedantic lessons, and loves to find solutions to musical problems.
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While growing up in Geneva, IL, he began studying classical guitar at age 13 with Roosevelt University professor, Paul Henry. Soon discovering a love for jazz music, Casey began separate lessons with jazz guitarist Neal Alger. He continued his private lessons until attending Northern Illinois University where, in 2004, he received his bachelors degree in Jazz Studies. At NIU, he had the privilege of studying jazz and classical guitar extensively with internationally renowned guitarist Fareed Haque. In 2002, he was a member of the Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble.
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Since graduating, Casey has made his living teaching, studying, and performing throughout North America. Between 2006-2009, he enjoyed studying with classical guitarist Denis Azabagic. In 2008, he was selected to participate in a masterclass with David Russell. Casey has given solo concerts for Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Downers Grove, Baker Memorial Episcopal Church in St. Charles, the Northbrook Public LIbrary's Fine Arts Fall program and Salon Series, and Geneva Cultural Arts Commission's Riverpark series. He has regularly performed at popular Chicago restaurants and cafes such as Geja's and Julius Meinl. Since 2007, he has periodically performed with the Hot Club of Detroit at jazz festivals in Canada and the US.
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