Mike Haverty has been a full-time guitar teacher since 2008. He is known as a patient and fun teacher who deeply enjoys working with students aged 6 and up. He has taught students who go on to play music professionally and who have gone to music schools like Shenandoah Conservatory and Berklee College of Music.
Mike started to play the guitar at the age of 13 and began playing rock music in local bands in his hometown by the age of 15. In high school he began learning classical guitar, playing in his church band, and playing traditional Irish music. He studied jazz guitar at Montgomery College and classical guitar at St. Mary’s College of Maryland where he received his B.A. He later received an award from Eastman Guitars and was nominated for Music & Arts Music Educator of the Year in 2019.
His method is to start the beginning student out with fundamentals like reading music and strumming chords, then playing songs and improvising. Then, if the student feels ready, to play at recitals and open mics. The idea is to help the student become a performing musician through patience, persistence, and practice. The lesson experience should be educational as well as fun and uplifting.
