Custom is What We Do!
Custom is What We Do!
We have been providing music lessons to the Charlotte community since 2003. All of our instructors are highly qualified teachers with years of experience working with students of all ages and levels of experience. Our instructors are connected with the music scene maintaining active careers as performers and composers.
Lessons are 30 minutes per week and are currently offered Monday – Thursday from 2:30pm-8:00pm and by appointment Fri/Sat. Students are assigned a regular time and day each week to meet with their instructor. Students are expected to attend every week, unless other arrangements are made with the instructor. The lessons are tailored to the individual student’s needs.
There is a $25 registration fee for new students (paid once per family) that lock in current lesson pricing for 1 year. All of our lesson rates are the same regardless of instrument. We offer a variety of payment options for your convenience.
Electric and Acoustic Guitar, and Bass Guitar
I have been playing guitar for 11 years and have been an Instructor at Music 49 since 2008. I attended Berklee College for the Music’s Summer Guitar Program (2003), studied Music at Pfeiffer University, and studied privately with many great Musicians over the years. I’ve won the top prize in two guitar competitions. I currently am the Lead Guitarist in a Blues/Rock band. I teach Music Theory, Improvisation, Technique Development, Harmony, Ear Training, Lead/Rhythm of all musical styles(Acoustic, Rock, Jazz, Blues, Country, Funk), from beginner to advanced. The music I listen to and the people around me have had the biggest impact on me as a musician. My closest friends are great guitar players so I’ve been very fortunate to stay challenged and motivated to always get better. I try to learn as much as I can from all my influences and express it in my own way. Music is deep reflection of a person’s personality. It’s taught me Discipline, Patience, Commitment, and a deep understanding of myself. Music should be shared with others, so get out there, jam, listen to the greats and learn. There are no limits on what you can achieve if you dedicate yourself.
Piano, Keyboard, and Voice
Mike Adams is the piano and voice instructor at Music 49. He is originally from New York where he taught played with various artists and worked as a studio musician.
Mike holds a Masters degree in Music Composition from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. While at Berklee he also studied electronic music (synthesizers) and film scoring. He attended Manhatten School of Music and Julliard School of Music. Mike studied with composers Michael Gibbs, Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, and Don Sebeski.
Throughout the 80’s and early 90’s Mike traveled all over the United States and parts of Europe playing with Johnny Mathis, Lola Folana, Jane Oliver, Cher, Tiny Tim, D Train, Stanley Turentine, Deniece Williams, Sharon Bryant and Dionne Warwick. As a studio musician he has played in movies such as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Net, Water World, The Stupids, Operation Dumbo Drop, and National Geographic: The Bengal Tiger.
“As an instructor I will always try my best to get to your goals and expectations. Music isn’t as easy as some people think it is but we try to have fun while we’re learning. I can teach an assortment of styles due to my experiences. I teach music to my students like the subjects the student learn in school. Studies have shown they all go hand in hand. So let’s have some fun and learn how music works!”
Guitar, Piano, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Violin, Viola, Cello, Mandolin, and other stringed instruments
Kerry always finds some time to share his love of music with those who are eager to learn. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and is the son of two retired teachers. Giving back to the music community is just in his blood.
If it has strings, Kerry can teach a willing students to play it. He currently offers lessons to serious students in:
Classical Guitar
Jason Pickard holds a Masters Degree in music performance from East Carolina University. His classical guitar performances have earned him top prizes in numerous competitions, including the Music Teachers National Association, National Federation of Music Clubs, and The Appalachian State University Guitar Festival. He has performed extensively throughout the Southeast as a soloist as well as an ensemble musician, and competed in the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America solo competition in 1999. He was twice awarded the East Carolina Friends of the School of Music Scholarship, and the St.Cecilia Guitar Scholarship for outstanding musical and academic performance.
As an educator, Mr. Pickard has served as a faculty member for East Carolina University (as a graduate assistant), Barton College, Catawba College, and Central Piedmont Community College as well as a private instructor in the greater Charlotte community. He retains memberships in the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Golden Key National Honor Society, Phi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
In October 2000, Mr. Pickard brought his experience as a music performer and educator to the business world when he was hired as Director of Education for MARS Music, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. Under the Management of Mr. Pickard, the Learning Center of the Charlotte Mars branch achieved top 5 in the country title several times in 2002 when ranked with other learning centers in view of student enrollment, gross profit margins, and community involvement. Throughout his employment with MARS Music, Mr. Pickard volunteered as a board member with the Charlotte Blues Society (director of the Blues in Schools program), and routinely conducted musical programs at MARS Music for the Metrolina Association for the Blind, Charlotte/Mecklenburg public schools, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Currently, Jason Pickard resides in Concord, North Carolina and remains active in the music community in charlotte area as an educator, performer, and classical guitar builder at Music49, Inc., a collection of charlotte’s finest music educators.
Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Dulcimer, Lapsteel, other strings
My name is Cameron, and I am one of the instructors here at Guitars n Cars. I have a degree concentrated in live sound production from Appalachian State University. As a self taught guitarist, who didn’t receive formal training until after I’d already been playing for quite some time, I feel I have a unique perspective to offer the budding musician. Especially if you find yourself with that feeling of “if I’d only known this years ago”. My musical education can be described as a progression from “jump in and hang on” to “there appears to have been a struggle” to “this makes more sense now.” However, I believe with a little work everyone can play something. Maybe you’ve hit a wall in your playing and feel something’s missing. Maybe you don’t know what you don’t know, or maybe you just need a little nudge toward the next stage of your musical journey. I can even help those picking up the guitar or bass again after a long break. I can teach multiple styles/genres, and lessons can be directed toward your interests and specific needs.
Drums, Guitar, Bass
Coming soon…