GUITAR LESSONS AT MI GUITAR CRAFT ACADEMY

GUITAR LESSON EXPECTATIONS

Thank you for choosing MI Guitar Craft Academy Nashville. We offer guitar lessons for all skill levels, ages 7 and up. You will learn essential elements of guitar instruction from basic techniques to advanced theory. We offer a range of styles and genres for you to choose from.

• One-hour private lessons will be offered 10 am to 8 pm weekdays.
• Students must sign up and prepay for a minimum of 4 private lessons.
• Instructors will be professional guitarists Brian Bonds, Bruce Buckingham, Tim Venerosa, Tyler Slawson and Clark Singleton.
• Lessons will incorporate MI core techniques and teach a broad range of styles from beginner to advanced students.

PROFESSIONAL GUITAR INSTRUCTORS

Brian Bonds was born and raised in Miami Florida where he grew up on country, metal and every genre in between. Brian started playing the guitar at age 10 and by 13 was playing professionally in smoky dive bars all around South Florida, where he usually needed a family member to chaperone because he wasn’t old enough to go in.

In high school, Brian was selected yearly to perform in the Grammy All Star Jazz Ensemble where he was mentored by legends such as Quincy Jones and Wynton Marsalis. After signing his first record deal he moved to Atlanta Georgia where he toured and recorded his first album. Brian then moved to Nashville where on his second day in town he was offered to start touring internationally with Chely Wright. He then went on to play with such artist as Love and Theft, Chase Rice , Tantric, Florida Georgia Line and many others. While touring Brian also was actively writing , producing, teaching and recording with several other artist.

Brian has appeared on The Tonight Show, Conan O’Brian, Jimmy Kimmel live, The Today Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Good Morning America and countless other TV and award shows. He has earned several gold and multi-platinum records and has been a part of over 10 million singles sold. These days you will find Brian in the studio, writing or playing on any number of stages across the world.

Tyler Slawson, born and raised in Houston, TX. Graduate of Texas A&M with a Bachelors of Business Administration(2010), as well as Musicians Institute with an Associates in Guitar Performance(2012). Shortly after graduating Musicians Institute Tyler moved to Nashville, TN to pursue a career in the music industry.

He has since toured with numerous artist/bands, performed on The Grand Ol Opry and FNC Fox and Friends. Tyler is currently touring on the road with American Idol winner and Big Machine recording artist Trent Harmon, and teaching private guitar lessons at Musicians Institute in Nashville.

Bruce is a 35-year veteran of music instruction, live performance and recording arts. He is also a published author of 2 DVD’s and 4 instructional guitar books, 3 of which are used at the Hollywood-based Musician’s Institute, College of Contemporary Music as curriculum for classes taught by Bruce and others. As a trusted and respected faculty member at MI, Bruce has also written MI curriculum for several courses at Musicians Institute Hollywood and MI Japan for the past 30 years. These courses include Reading, Rhythm Guitar, Single String Technique, Latin and Jazz styles. The courses are innovative and compelling and have been used by thousands of students over 35 years including Musicians Institute Hollywood and MI Japan.

Bruce is also a sought after private guitar instructor and performer in Los Angeles area, specializing in Jazz, Latin, Funk, Contemporary, Pop and Rock styles of music. He has worked with a wide variety of musicians including Helen Ready, John Pattitucci and has recorded with Michael Jackson’s production company for the play “Sisterella” as well as many independent projects.

Guitarist Tim Venerosa from Upstate New York has enjoyed multiple performances at The Grand Ole Opry, as well as having been on the road supporting some of the biggest acts in country music such as Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Reba, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion, Miranda Lambert, and Keith Urban to name only a few from 2012-2017. Tim relocated from Los Angeles to Nashville in 2012 and quickly obtained a major label touring position as lead guitarist, and band leader for a major label recording artist.

Tim moved to Los Angeles in 2010 after winning 1st place in a nationwide contest for a full ride scholarship to attend the world-renowned Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Tim has studied with accomplished guitarists Rafael Moreira (Pink, Christina Aguilera), Dave Hill (Frank Gambale), and Doug Rappoport (Edgar Winter) Tim also has artist endorsement deals with Orange Amplifiers, Elixir Strings, and JHS Pedals.

Through perseverance, hard work and an unwavering dedication to his craft since age 12, Tim has been making a name for himself as a sideman, studio guitarist, and member of his own original rock n’ roll band ‘True Villains’.

COURSES: Instrument Performance (Bass)
SPECIALTIES: Bass, Band leading, Music Theory, Drums
CREDITS: Bassist for Anthony Orio. Recorded at RCA Studio A, Warner Brothers and House of Blues. Owner of Tune Squad Studios

HONORS & EDUCATION: BA in Music from University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Weaver Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts

ENDORSE: Aguilar Amplification and Alclair In-Ears.