take it to the next level
Music changed my life. I'm passionate about helping it change yours. Wherever you are in your musical journey, I can help you advance to the next level.
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My teaching philosophy is built around musicality, technique, and self-expression. In addition to being an associate lecturer at UMass Boston and a Jamplay Instructor, I'm a classically-trained, award-winning guitarist and composer with over a decade of experience helping students find joy and meaning through music.
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Parents: I have taught dozens of students under the age of 10 and understand the unique challenges of keeping young students engaged and interested.
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I teach across Greater Boston but also offer Zoom lessons for those further away.
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I offer training for:
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all skill levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
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all guitar types (acoustic, classical, electric)
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all genres (fingerstyle, folk, pop, rock, jazz, classical)
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music theory
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songwriting/composition
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Ready to begin? Fill out the form below for a free trial lesson!
what students say
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"Russell has been teaching our family piano for a year now. He is a wonderful musician and amazing teacher for students of all ages. My son (7) looks forward to his time with Russell every week. Russell is someone my son looks up to as a professional musician, kind and fun person that makes him work hard but never with too much pressure or stress. He has also given me lessons with patience and understanding. We can't recommend Russell enough!"
Francy, Weston, MA
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"I've been learning guitar with Russell for 6 months and he is a great teacher who is always very patient and can elaborate music concepts/terms in a simple way which is very easy for beginners to understand. Also, he focuses on building up students' interests and creativity while teaching which makes each lesson very interesting and enjoyable.
Andi, Melrose, MA
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"Besides making the lessons enjoyable, his understanding of music and the ability to explain and improve my playing has been exceptional. In addition to the mechanics of playing the guitar, he helps with improving performance, improvisation, and general musicality that helps me get into the music better and improve my playing. He is a pleasure to work with, and as a musician with a strong background, he is able to expand the quality and understanding at many levels. I can easily recommend him as both teacher and as a performer."
Bill, Arlington, MA
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"I've been taking lessons with [R.D. King] for about 6 months, and I'm amazed by the progress I've made in my technique and overall musicality. While I mostly focus on fingerstyle techniques and songs in the styles of artists such as Andy McKee, Don Ross, and Antoine Dufour, [R.D. King] has a wealth of musical knowledge spanning many genres and styles and I would absolutely recommend lessons with him whether you're a total beginner or a guitarist hoping to improve your skills."
Zach, Boston, MA
