Guitar Lessons for Gurnee Students, From the Teacher Behind Gurnee Guitar Academy

What You'll Learn

Every lesson is built around you. Bring a song, a style or just a guitar you haven't touched in years.

• Real songs from day one. Rock, blues, country, metal, jazz, classical, fingerstyle, worship, video game music and more. If you don't like a song, we switch. Simple.

• Technique that sticks. Chords, strumming, picking, scales and soloing, taught through the songs you're already excited about.

• Theory that actually makes sense. I weave it in when it helps you play, not as homework.

• Classical and jazz guitar. My degrees are in Classical Guitar Performance and Jazz Studies, so if that's your thing, you're covered.

Lessons are 30 minutes, once a week, same day and time. That consistency is a big reason students stick with it.

What Every Lesson Comes With

• A weekly 30-minute Zoom lesson with me, not a substitute

• A recording of your lesson so you can watch it again on your device

• Custom song transcriptions written for your level

• Private chat support between lessons, so you're never stuck until next week

• A progress check every six months with my Shredder Success System, 64 guitar skills scored so you can SEE how far you've come

Why Gurnee Families Learn With AJ

I started teaching at 14 and I've been at it for 26 years. I earned my B.A. in Music at Carthage College, just up the road in Kenosha, so this corner of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin is familiar ground.

Here's what hasn't changed since the Gurnee Guitar Academy days:

• I teach like you'll be better than me someday. That's the standard, not a slogan.

• 15 to 20 minutes of daily practice. Not hours. Busy Lake County families can actually fit that in.

• I'm a dedicated teacher, not a gigging musician. No last-minute cancellations because of a show.

• Ages 8 to 80+. Kids, teens, parents and retirees all welcome.

Lessons are open to students in Gurnee, Waukegan, Libertyville, Grayslake, Lindenhurst, Lake Villa, Wadsworth, Vernon Hills and anywhere in Lake County. Because lessons are online, the drive is zero.

What Students Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"AJ Rocks! #NoBetterGuitarInstructorInChicago"

- Andy S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Our 11 year old daughter has been taking lessons with A.J. for nearly three years and we recommend him to everyone we know who wants to study guitar. He's incredibly focused and patient. His calm demeanor makes his lessons enjoyable for our child, and of course she's completely in awe of his musical talents. We couldn't be happier with A.J.!"

- Cory S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"A.J. is the best guitar teacher ever. If it was not for him I would not be going to music school."

- Willy Q. (recipient of full music scholarship to study Classical Guitar at Lawrence University)

See More Testimonials

Gurnee Guitar Lesson FAQs

Do you still teach in person in Gurnee?

No. Gurnee Guitar Academy was my in-person studio, and today I teach everyone online over Zoom. You get the same teacher and the same method, plus lesson recordings and chat support between lessons.

Is Gurnee Guitar Academy the same as Level Up Your Guitar?

Yes. Gurnee Guitar Academy grew into Level Up Your Guitar. That's why gurneeguitaracademy.com now brings you here.

What time are lessons?

Lessons run on US Central Time, the same time zone as Gurnee. Monday to Thursday 3pm to 8pm, Friday 3pm to 6pm, and Saturday 11:30am to 3:30pm. That fits right after school or work.

What do I need for online lessons?

Your guitar, a comfortable chair, a computer or laptop (tablets and phones work too) and good lighting so I can see your hands. That's it.

Book Your Free Trial Lesson

Your first lesson is free. No commitment. We'll figure out where you are, what you want to play, and build a plan around that.

Book My FREE Lesson

Questions first? Email me at levelupyourguitar@gmail.com.

Keep PLAYING...
AJ

© 2025. All rights reserved.