Martin Metzger is a versatile guitarist and composer from Evanston, Illinois. Martin has performed with many ensembles, including Leley (Flamenco), Ensemble of Ragas (Indian/Flamenco), and Wood To Water (World Influenced-Jazz), which recorded their debut album in 2006. Martin currently performs with a flamenco group based in Chicago, with guitarist Diego Alonso, singer Patricia Ortega, dancer Marisela Tapia, and percussionist Javier Saume. In addition, he performs solo flamenco guitar concerts. Along with earning a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies from DePaul University (1994), Martin travels to Granada, Spain every year to deepen his study of flamenco. Martin Studies at an amazing flamenco school in Granada, Spain called Carmen De Las Cuevas. His flamenco teachers include Alfredo Mesa, Jorge Sánchez Martinez, Ruben Campos, Marcos Palometas, Flavio Rodrigues, Diego Alonso, Thiago Vásquez and Hector Fernandez. In addition, Martin has studied jazz formally with John Moulder, Akio Sasajima, Larry Gray and Alan Swain. Martin has been sharing his love of guitar with students of all ages for over 25 years. He utilizes his Masters degree in Education from National-Louis University in 2010 to structure his approach to maximize student learning. In addition, Martin draws from his practices of yoga and zen meditation to impart to his students a sense of joy, discipline, creativity and dedication to the art. Students learn from Martin the joy of having music as a life long practice. He currently teaches private lessons at Baker Demonstration School and with his own studio, Metzger Music Studio, in Evanston, Illinois. Martin teaches guitar students from Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Northfield, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest and Chicago, Illinois.
TEACHING STYLE
I have taught students of all ages, abilities, interests and musical styles. I enjoy the challenges of introducing a student to music who is just beginning, helping an intermediate student improve and gain confidence, or preparing an advanced student for the rigors of music school and music as a profession. No two students are alike, have the same learning style, musical taste, direction or dedication. The areas I address in lessons include: technique, sight reading, repertoire, theory, ear training, improvisation, composition, ensemble playing and performance. I help each student find their voice, their creativity, passion, drive and determination.