Grammy winning student. Personalized lessons that get results. Let's make your practice time both productive and fun! I specialize in soloing.

Find out more about Casey

• 1) When did you first develop a passion for music and your favorite instrument?

  I first 'played' a guitar when I was one year old. By 'play,' I mean I mostly just hit it like a drum. My mom had two guitars—one that was nice and another that I could use. When I was five, whenever she went to the grocery store, I would sneak out the good guitar and strum on it. Music was always playing at home. Our house was filled with Motown, Steely Dan, Neil Young, and more. My mom had a great jazz collection, and my dad had a loud stereo packed with classic rock.
  By age seven, I was already playing my first gigs and was completely hooked. With the help of my teachers, I really enjoyed improving and learning songs I never thought I’d be able to play.

• 2) Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Jimi Hendrix is definitely the music that gets played most in my house. I have almost everything he ever recorded, and I listen to and play a lot of different styles. In the mornings, I like to listen to metal to get energized, and at night, I go through my record collection, exploring a variety of genres. Honestly, I like pretty much anything—except polka. Cut time isn’t really my thing either, a little goes a long way.

• 3) Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  Sweep picking is one of the most challenging techniques to master, especially when it comes to developing the right feel. Your left hand is responsible for playing multiple notes with precision, while your right hand glides smoothly across the strings, almost like you're strumming. I have plenty of tips and exercises to help you develop the feel and learn how to create your own licks.

• 4) What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  One of the most complicated things I can think of is reading music notation on the guitar. Guitar is one of the hardest instruments to read music on because there are up to 15 different places to play an E! In contrast, the piano has just one key per note. Reading music on guitar requires daily practice. If you're heading to college or want to learn the basics of reading music, I’d definitely recommend taking some lessons with me—especially if you're primarily an ear player.

• 5) What are your keys to success?

  There are many things to focus on, but at the top of the list are being consistent, organized, and confident. Start by making a list of your goals—what you want to accomplish and which songs you want to learn. Do you want to perform? Write your own songs and solos? Set clear objectives and work on them every day.
  My confidence comes from achieving those goals and applying everything my teachers have taught me. I've found that a lack of confidence often comes from overthinking the guitar instead of just playing it. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes—trust in your progress, and keep pushing forward.

• 6) Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Jimi Hendrix, Shawn Lane, and Stravinsky.
  Hendrix had a magical and humble way of talking about music. I feel like sitting down with him would be incredibly inspiring—his perspective on creativity and expression must have been magical. A couple of my professors were friends with Shawn Lane and often spoke about his voracious appetite for learning and his deep knowledge of music. He knew so much about different cultures that influenced music, like Indian music, and I’d love to hear his insights firsthand.
  As for Stravinsky, I have so many questions. Where did he find his inspiration? What was it like getting arrested for reharmonizeing the national anthem or causing a riot with The Rite of Spring? I can’t help but wonder about the stories behind those revolutionary moments in music history.

• 7) Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  When I was 7 years old, I started taking classical guitar lessons. I quickly realized it was much easier to just listen to my teacher play the part and replicate it. Before long, I developed a real knack for playing by ear. Three years later, during a lesson, my teacher wasn’t feeling well and asked me to read the sheet music instead. I couldn’t do it. He was genuinely shocked—he couldn’t believe I played by ear that well.
  Fast forward to my audition for the music program at ASU. The head of the guitar department told me I played really well, but if I wanted to be in the program, I’d need to learn how to read music. I took that challenge seriously. I worked hard, took lessons from different teachers, and earned first chair each semester, eventually becoming section leader. What truly made a difference was something my first classical teacher once told me: You have to read the notes, then make them sound good.
  If you’re an ear player, I can help you make reading music more understandable. And if you want to learn how to play by ear, I can show you how to develop those skills too.

• 8) What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  My lessons are tailored specifically for you. I provide a variety of lesson options and songs and techniques to make learning guitar easier. I focus on highlighting your strengths and balancing effective learning with fun and the songs you want to learn.