Lessons

We are dedicated to providing a fun learning environment for all our students.  We have 6 instructors who teach acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukulele, bass guitar, vocals, piano, banjo, mandolin, lap steel, as well as full band rehearsals and performances. Traverse City Guitar Company will also provide high quality studios to promote the best lessons and instructors in the area.

Find Instructor

Matt Hathaway : Guitar

Matt Hathaway

Guitar

Call: 231-342-5030

I am a Traverse City native and I love it here! Some of my favorite things other than playing guitar are family adventures, bonfires, rollerblading and hockey.

I have been playing guitar for 35 years and teaching for 20 years. I have been in countless bands beginning in middle school and continuing now. I also play wedding ceremonies, special events/house parties, local high school musical’s and fundraisers. I have taught students through the NMC music program, the SEEDS music program, Woodland Charter schools, as well as private lessons.

I studied at the National Guitar Summer Workshop when I was a teenager completing their highest level. I received an Associate degree from Northwestern Michigan College. I also attended 2 years at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music focusing on performing classical guitar. I received my Bachelor of Music degree from Oakland University.

Zeke Clemons : Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Ukulele, Harmonica, Vocal, Beginning Piano

Zeke Clemons

Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Ukulele, Harmonica, Vocal, Beginning Piano

Call: 231-360-5114

Zeke is a very active musician in the area and. He teaches Acoustic, and Electric, Bass, Ukulele, Harmonica Vocal, Beginning Piano, Music Theory and Song Writing. Zeke has resided in the Traverse City area since 2006 and has years of experience teaching and playing gigs. You can call him directly at 231-360-5114 or email him at zekeclemonsmusic@gmail.com.

Mike Youker : Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Ukulele

Mike Youker

Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Ukulele

Call: 231-890-1637

Mike Youker is a professional musician with 20+ years playing guitar and over 12 years teaching guitar and ukulele experience. Mike loves teaching beginning to advanced guitar and beginning ukulele to students of ages 6 and up! Starting with easy to grasp melodies, chords, rhythm concepts and songs to more advanced soloing and improvisation techniques.

Mike has experience playing lead guitar in Rock, Classic Rock, Funk, Blues, R&B, Contemporary Christian and Country/Americana bands.  Most notably with Strobelite Honey for five years in Northern Michigan (Funk, Blues, R&B), and the Drew Hale Band, touring for two years throughout Michigan, Ohio, Pittsburgh, and Nashville (Country/Americana). While on tour with The Drew Hale Band, he has shared stages with Frankie Ballard, Trace Adkins, William Michael Morgan, Trent Harmon, Drew Baldridge, The Railers, Walker McGuire, Chris Lane, The Cadillac Three, Bret Michaels, and many other top artists!

Mark Andersen : Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Ukulele

Mark Andersen

Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Ukulele

Call: 231-941-8075

Mark Andersen has been a music instructor in the Traverse City area for 40 years. He teaches a broad range of styles from Acoustic, Electric guitar, Bass guitar to Five string Banjo, Mandolin and Ukulele. His style repertoire includes: Finger style guitar, Alternate Tuning’s, Folk, Bluegrass and Country guitar, Classic Rock, Pop & Blues, Scruggs and Clawhammer Banjo.

Mark welcomes students of all ages and levels of experience. His students have appeared on American Idol, performed at the Montreux Jazz festival, and received the Critic’s Choice Award at the 2015 Art Prize.

Mark is currently playing guitar and Mandolin at New Hope community Church. You can contact him directly at: 231-941-8075 or email him at mackinacmark@yahoo.com.

Sean O’Brien : Manager, Guitar Tech, Drum Instructor

Sean O’Brien

Manager, Guitar Tech, Drum Instructor

Call: 231-943-1211

Sean is our Store Manager and Guitar Tech! He is a guitar and pedal genius! He attended Northwestern Michigan college to earn his Audio Technician certificate. Sean has been studying under Gene at TC Guitar Company for five years. He is Fender, Taylor, Gild, Cordoba, and Ibanez certified. Sean enjoys photography, playing the drums, songwriting and dad jokes. He loves hiking, an occasional cigar and singing love songs to his beautiful wife. 😉

Matt Sharp : Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Ukulele

Matt Sharp

Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Ukulele

Call: 231-620-9115

Hi, my name is Matt Sharp the newest instructor here at Traverse City Guitar Company. I am not new to the music scene and have advanced knowledge of musical composition, theory and technique illustrated over 25 years of the music industry. I teach acoustic guitar, electric and bass and ukulele.