Guitar & Bass Lessons
fretted instrument Teachers for
Ages 7+ / Ukulele
Ages 8+ / All other instruments
Jeanette Curry
|Guitar/Banjo/Mandolin
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced Banjo, Beginner to Intermediate Guitar
Music Styles: Bluegrass, Flat-Picking
Locations: J Street Conservatory
Jeanette Curry has given private lessons in 5-string banjo and guitar for over 30 years. She also teaches beginning mandolin. She played in various bluegrass bands for 8 years, performing at bluegrass festivals and state fairs in the Midwest, and at Silver Dollar City in Branson. She has taught at Brice Arts Academy, Peace Lutheran Music School, Fellowship Bible Church Fine Arts Acadamy, and has taught a class for Northwest Arkansas Community College's Beep program. She studied music at the Hutchinson Community Junior College in Hutchinson, Kansas. She is a certified Wernick Method bluegrass jamming teacher as well! She teaches students ages 6 to 106!
Jeanette currently plays in The Stain Glass Band and The Good Shepherd Pickers. She also hosts a bluegrass jam camp every fall.
BRIAN REDING | PIANO/GUITAR/BASS/UKULEL/
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Rock, Pop, Jazz, Country, Classical Piano
Locations: C Street Conservatory
Other thing Brian teaches: Songwriting, & Music production
Brian Reding is a modern rock, jazz, and pop producer and performer who owned and operated a recording studio in Seattle, Washington, from 2008 to 2020. He received degrees in Jazz Music Theory and Composition from the University of Arkansas and the University of Memphis. He is passionate about educating musicians and, for 20 years, has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to students of all ages. Whether you're a first-time learner eager to get your hands on the piano or guitar, an enthusiastic band member looking to enhance your collaborative skills, or a creative mind seeking to write and produce your own music, Brian is dedicated to helping you on your musical journey.
Asher Perkins
|GUITAr/Electric bass
Difficulty Levels: Intermediate - Advanced
Music Styles: Jazz, Blues, Funk, Country
Locations: J Street Conservatory
Asher has a Bachelor of Science in General Music from John Brown University and a Masters of Music in Guitar Performance from the University of Arkansas.
Asher plays guitar and bass in the house band for Later With Jason Suel, plays bass for the Jake Hertzog quartet, plays bass for Calle Soul salsa band, and plays guitar and bass for LoveMore Record Artists. He has a blues/jazz quartet called Asher & Co.
Asher has been teaching theory and private lessons since 2014. He has also led songwriting workshops and has judged various songwriting/music showcases.
His favorite thing about teaching is helping a player bring their heart out through their instrument. He wants to find music in each student. Shredding and being technically virtuous are one thing, but his goal is to get a student to develop what’s inside them by providing the best teaching tools he can think of.
Allen Zirkle
|guitar/piano
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Church Music, Classical, Any
Locations: C Street Conservatory
Allen is a dedicated musician and educator with a Mater’s degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from Arkansas State University. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Piano from Arkansas Tech University. With over a decade of teaching experience, Allen offers engaging lessons in piano, electric guitar, and acoustic guitar for students of all levels. His specialties include classical and worship music. However, Allen is enthusiastic about helping students learn any musical style they desire.
As an adjunct professor at North Arkansas College, Allen shares his knowledge and passion with aspiring musicians. Beyond the classroom he runs a successful YouTube channel with over 118,00 subscribers, where he provides valuable instructional content. Allen’s teaching approach emphasizes well-rounded instruction, covering music theory, musicianship, and performance skills. Students studying with Allen can expect a supportive and encouraging environment, fostering their musical growth and exploration.
jesse wells
|GUITAr
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory
Jesse is an accomplished guitarist with a Bachelors of Science in Music Theory from John Brown University.
He teaches acoustic and electric guitar, spanning difficulty of beginner to advanced. While not claiming to specialize in any aspect of the guitar, he is proficient in speed training on electric as well as fingerpicking on acoustic.
He is well into his 2nd year teaching at Arkansas Music Conservatory and can be found performing in the NWA area often. From theory, to speed, to picking around the campfire he can help you reach your goals through planning and practice.
Aimee Lynn
|Piano/Guitar
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory
Aimee has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Arkansas. She teaches both piano and guitar at Arkansas Music Conservatory. She has been teaching students of all ages since 2005 through private lessons as well as through public school systems in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Aimee prefers teaching guitar and piano, and has also taught choir and strings in schools.
Aimee begins students with classical piano and theory and incorporates jazz studies once the student has advanced to that level. Similar with guitar students, Aimee prefers students to learn to read music and basic music theory first before moving to a variety of styles based upon the students needs and interest. For her own enjoyment, Aimee loves fingerstyle but still plays other styles as necessary.
Currently she is not performing with any local bands or symphonies but has experience performing with both in the past. Aimee is also a yoga teacher and leads guided meditation followed by sound baths twice a week where she plays a variety of sound healing instruments. You can also find her in the film Greater where she had the pleasure to play a fiddler in a bluegrass band.
“My favorite thing to teach is self-acceptance. I enjoy watching my students be proud of what they are able to achieve. Music was my first love. I hope my students find studying music as a way to grow and connect to all others.”-Aimee
Chris Shelby
|Guitar/Begining Band
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory
Teacher information coming soon
Collin Kidd
|Guitar/Bass/ukulele
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory
Teacher information coming soon
Drew Rogers
|GUITAr/Bass
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory
Graduating from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Music and from Utah State University with a Master of Music, Drew clearly has a passion for guitar instruction. Drew has taught privately over the past 7 years all over the U.S. and we are excited to have him teach with us at the Conservatory! Drew has previous instruction experience in music theory, jazz ensembles, and blues guitar lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. With the drive to push his students towards success, Drew is excited to meet his future students and see where lessons take them!
Matt Mozzoni
|GUITAr/Bass/Ukulele
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory
Matthew is a composer and guitarist. He teaches guitar, bass, and ukulele from the beginning student to the advanced.
As a guitarist, Matthew has worked with Linkin’ Bridge (Americas Got Talen), Ben Sollee, Tom Braxton, Pascal Dennis, and many more.
Matt has a Bachelors of Music in Jazz from the University of Louisville, and is currently studying for his Mater’s in Media Composition and Orchestration. As an educator, he emphasizes finding your own musical voice, and pairs that with emphasis on music fundamentals.
Stan watson
|Guitar/Bass
Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory
A Springdale native, Stan Watson is a passionate and experienced musician and instructor with over 5 years of experience in teaching music! Stan understands the patience it takes of learning a new instrument and would be honored to help you, or your student, with gaining the confidence and knowledge for success. As a gigging musician for bands in the area, like Dial Up 90s and the Elton John Tribute band, Stan is always learning and trying out new techniques to help engage his students. He has taught students from varying skill sets: from the “just-got-the-guitar” beginner to the “pick-your-brain-about-theory” advanced students. He will express the importance of practice, have individualized lessons, and teach you the basics in how to rock out to your favorite songs. Stan is ready for the challenge and is excited to teach here at the Conservatory!