Lead Cat Press: Music Education for Guitarists

1) Teaching is my passion. Students sense this and they feel inspired to work hard. I transitioned my studio online in March of 2020 due to the pandemic, and I work with students all over the world. 

2) My experience makes me a more effective teacher. I was the adjunct professor of guitar at Seattle University from 2006-18, I taught at University of Washington's summer jazz workshop in 2018-19, I created The Rock Project at Cornish College of the Arts and I was the lead instructor from 2010-15, and I taught music at Seattle Girls School for the 2016-17 school year. Before the pandemic hit, I was teaching a full studio of private students along with weekend guitar classes for beginning through advanced students at my guitar studio on Capitol Hill in Seattle. 

3) I am dedicated to improving ways for guitarists to learn the fundamentals of music. The guitar method book series I wrote, "The Guitar Lesson Companion," is used in over 10 countries, including by faculty at Berklee School of Music. 

4) I create a plan for each student to reach her/his goals. This helps us stay on track during our lessons so students reach their goals quickly.

5) Students get help between lessons. I have uploaded over 100 lesson and jam videos on YouTube, and I am also happy to answer quick questions throughout the week using personalized recorded videos and email. 

6) I hold students accountable. If a student doesn't practice, we talk about it and we develop a plan. If a student continues to not practice, I discontinue our lessons. 

7) Teaching guitar lessons is my full time job. I really enjoy my work, and I like to make lessons fun while maintaining a high level of professionalism in my studio. 

8) The student's needs and goals always come first. There is no single teacher who is capable of working well with every student, but I think that I am able to work well with most students. I network with many other excellent teachers and I am happy to refer students to them when I am not the best teacher for the student. 

9) I do my research. There are new educational resources available all the time, and part of my job involves seeking out new learning tools for students. 

10) My students are successful. Not all of my students decide to use their skills to pursue a professional career in music, but many of them perform often at these and other venues: The Comet, The High Dive, Skylark, Neumos, The Hard Rock Cafe, Chop Suey, The Tractor Tavern, The Rendezvous, The Sorrento Hotel, The Crocodile, The Mix, Cafe Racer, The Edgewater Hotel, The Sunset, Bumbershoot, and more (during non-pandemic times.) 

Contact Susan Palmer: LeadCatPress@gmail.com

I look forward to meeting and working with you!