Ben Mathews

Certified Private Instructor

Originally from Thousand Oaks, California, Ben earned a Bachelor of Music degree from BYU-Idaho and a Master of Music degree from Indiana University. He is currently pursuing a DMA in Studio Guitar from the USC Thornton School of Music. Ben has taught at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, the IU African American Arts Institute, BYU-Idaho, Utah State University, and College of Southern Idaho. Ben has been the Musical Director for Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera since 2012, which has toured across the Northwest and was a featured act at the New York Musical Theater Festival in 2015. He performs and records regularly on Guitars, Bass Guitar, Mandolin, and Cuban Tres. Professional performance, studio, and teaching experience includes Jazz, Rock, Pop, Soul, R&B, Country, Bluegrass, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Classical, and more.

TEACHING STYLE

I believe the modern guitar is one of the most important and relevant musical instruments in the world, and that young people can open limitless doors to the world and to a brighter future through playing guitar. Effective and inspiring instruction and good practice and listening habits are key to progress on any musical instrument. I teach students how to access their favorite music and styles on the guitar through ear training and basic music theory as applied to the fretboard. With these tools, students begin to teach themselves new songs and become self-starters in the practice room. They also become unafraid and even inspired to make music with their friends. Proper technique, performance practice, scales and other basics are taught as they apply to the songs they're learning, as a means to dig deeper and prepare to perform live.