Dan Willens

Student Recommendations

• Tom K. December 21, 2011

  "I first met Dan at the Jewish Community Center in late 2010. I took the 6 week class and was impressed with his finger picking style. I began taking private lessons with Dan in January 2011 and have continued for about a year now. I have learned a lot about finger picking guitar. Dan also has helped me learn to play many folk songs even with a group of musicians, which has increased my confidence with playing in a group. Dan is a patient teacher and starts you out on the basics, and then as he sees your progress, he will increase your studies. He also encourages you to learn to play without reading music, by playing by ear. Dan is a very accomplished finger picking guitar teacher with many years of experience. I have noticed an improvement with my playing and also agree that practice is the key. I still have much to learn and I am committed to continue with his lessons. Tom K"

• Rob H. June 2

  "I have owned a guitar for almost 50 years and never made any real progress despite trying lessons several times. I know I never practiced enough but just noodled around. Just never got inspired. Dan's method seems totally different than any I've encountered and I find myself practicing and, at last, progessing. The exercises are interesting and challenging but seem practical. I recommend Dan Willens to anyone who is interested in folk/old time strumming and fingerpicking. I'm really having fun!"

• Morgan F. July 19

  "Music has always been part of my life, playing trumpet during my school years and piano as an adult student. I met Dan through group classes for folk style, finger picking and strumming. When the classes were over, I continued lessons with Dan privately. Dan has a different approach to teaching, which in enjoy and appreciate. I am learning to play what I hear as opposed to playing the music notation that I read. It is a fun and rewarding way to learn music. I really feel myself improving. Every lesson is a "good lesson". "

• Melynne K. August 6

  "After receiving a guitar as a Mother's Day gift, I signed up and recently completed a 6 week group class with Dan. As someone who never took guitar before, this class was perfect. I impressed with Dan's talents as a guitar player but, most importantly, found his teaching to be superb. He allowed me to learn a lot about finger picking guitar - even as part of a group class! Dan is a very patient teacher. He started our group out on the basics of chords, strumming and finger picking. As he saw each of our progress at our own pace and level, he matched our studies and assignments to our needs. By the end of the class we has the skills to begin to learn songs by ear and to play without reading music. I am very excited to have learned so much in these 6 weeks (with lots of practice!!) . I still have a lot to learn and I am committed to continue with the next level of group lessons. I also plan to start taking individual lessons as well. I would recommend lessons with Dan to anyone. My 5 year old son now wants to learn guitar and I plan to send him to lessons with Dan when he is a bit older."

• Annah B. August 7

  "I have taken Beginner Finger Picking Folk Guitar twice. I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy all that I am learning. I have always wanted to learn to play the guitar it only gets better. My instructor is very good and I would recommend him to others."