Why choose us?
Unfortunately, there is no standard means of accreditation for teaching guitar. Many of the bigger studios and music stores have a requirement of some sort of music degree, but this largely leads to a roster of teachers with degrees in Guitar Performance who teach on the side for extra money, and as such may be great players, but are rarely competent or dedicated teachers.
This does not describe the work I do at Wichita Guitar Academy.
While I do enjoy performing, and have done so in most every genre of music, teaching is my passion. I’m the only guitar teacher in Wichita with a Masters in Music Education and, while I would agree it’s possible to become a great teacher without one, it’s nonetheless indicative of priorities and values that are hard to find in guitar teachers. I spend my free time making curriculums and YouTube videos where I teach various genres of music. I spend hours a week thinking about each student and how I can be a more effective teacher for them, creating materials & new opportunities for them to explore & enjoy music. Performing is great, but I am and will always be a teacher, first and foremost.
Our mission
Our goal is to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue the music that’s most important to them, in the way that best suits them
What do we teach?
Children (generally) begin by learning in the Classical/Spanish style; there is a wealth of great literature for guitarists of all levels to enjoy, and it is an effective basis from which to learn good technique and music theory. Kids also love it because they get to play and hear both melody and harmony, rather than just learning chords. Students are also regularly encouraged to find songs they’d like to learn from the radio, movies, etc. and work on them in lessons.
Teens and adults are free to pick their own genre(s) of study. Lessons will be focused on obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary to master those styles.
Who do we teach?
All people of any experience level are welcome.
We’re great with beginners!
Meet Our Instructor
Drew Patton began playing guitar at a young age, and through High School and his early 20’s played in many bands spanning various genres.
Drew began teaching in 2011, and graduated from Friends University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Guitar Performance, giving recitals in both Jazz and Classical styles, as well as performing with the Chamber Orchestra.
After graduation, he won a Koch Cultural Trust grant, which enabled him to travel Europe for 6 months to study classical guitar improvisation. Upon returning, began teaching at Senseney Music in Wichita, and fell in love with it.
In 2016, Drew began pursuing his Master’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education at WSU, and graduated in 2019.
Today, Drew continues to work to become a better teacher by researching methodologies old and new, as well as creating and revising his own to suit each student’s needs.
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