ABOUT VINCE
Vince is a dedicated, professional Instructor and Musician with an effective 37+ year career teaching comprehensive guitar technique, Music Theory and has a history as a successful live/studio guitarist. Hands-on, expert instructor with extensive experience tailoring fun, focused and enriching lessons for students of all ages and skill levels. Whether teaching, recording or performing, Vince gets the job done and has a blast doing so! “It’s all about fun and the love of music. I’m grateful to be able to do what I love!”
It all started with a toy guitar and a suitcase!
Vince was only two years old and he already showed an interest in music. His parents alway had music on in the house. His grandmother would sit with him at the piano she would play a note or two and have him play the notes back to her. This was the beginnings of ear training. Vince feels this played an integral part in developing his ear.
But sitting still at he the piano wasn’t all that fun for a two year old. His mother is a fan of rock and always had the radio on. Vince loved jamming on his toy guitar! Every time he heard Mony Mony by Tommy James and the Shondells come on the radio he’d grab the guitar, get on the suitcase and seriously rock out!
Vince has done numerous Guitar Clinics/Product Demos for music stores throughout the country. Including chain stores and large .com facilities like Sam Ash, Sweetwater and music123.com. Some memorable in store performances include multiple clinics tours with bassist Stuart Hamm (Steve Vai & Joe Satriani). Others include Scott Ian (Anthrax), Ace Livingston (Pink, Harry Connick, Jr., 98 Degrees)
Pictured with Stuart Hamm
Over the past 37+ years as a teacher, Vince has taught hundreds of “kids of all ages” how to play guitar and bass, along with music theory. “I’m not sure exactly how many people I’ve taught over the years, but it's in the thousands. We figured out, between private lessons, teaching at high schools and music stores, I’ve given well over seventy thousand individual lessons! A crazy number right? But I’ve been doing this full time for so many years now!” This amount of experience makes Vince a great guitar instructor. Vince also has an extensive background in the retail side of music as well. “I’ve also worked in music stores since 1986, I couldn’t picture doing anything else. Music is my life.”
Vince has been working consistently in the music business. Recording, performing, teaching guitar and working as a clinician at trade shows and music stores all over the country. Over the years Vince has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some fantastic Artists such as Larry Mitchell, Stuart Hamm, Lou Pallo, Steve Vai, Johnny Highland, Ace Livingston and Greg Martin.
Vince knows the importance for his students to play live and developed the Young Talent Showcase and Spread The Jam (geared toward adult students). Two monthly events giving students a platform to perform live. It’s important to not only develop skills in the lesson room, but necessary to take what is learnt and play it live in front of an audience. This includes individuals performing solo, sitting in with Vince's band or students that have formed their own bands. "It’s very rewarding to see students take what they’ve worked on in the lesson and play it in front of a crowd." These monthly events attract a great crowd and has had well over 300 performers take the stage since their inception. It has even drawn the attention of some local celebrities. "I've had some friends and celebrities show up like Lou Pallo (Les Paul Trio), Larry Mitchell (Billy Squier/Tracy Chapman), Metal Mike Chlasciak (Halford), and Russell Allen (Symphony X/Trans Siberian Orchestra). Lou and Larry sat in many times. You can imagine how thrilled the kids were!"
