Musician's Workshop

Instruments Taught:
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Dobro, Mandolin & Ukulele

Online Private Lessons Only

Mike is available for online instruction.  You may contact him directly at AshevilleGuitar@gmail.com or visit his website http://www.ashevilleguitar.com

Mike Barnes has been teaching at Musician’s Workshop since 1977 and is also a faculty member in the University of North Carolina at Asheville music department. He studied at the University of Miami and is a graduate of L.A.’s Musician’s Institute (GIT), as well as UNCA. He has toured the country extensively in a variety of musical ensembles, served as a studio musician for Geffen and Polygram Records, and spent time as a session guitarist for recording studios in L.A., Memphis, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Nashville. Mike studied with such guitar legends as Pat Martino, Robben Ford, Joe Diorio. He has also shared the stage with The Black Crowes, John Scofield, Jimmy Page, The Allman Brothers and Warren Haynes & Gov’t Mule, to name a few. He teaches all styles of guitar from beginner to advanced, plus bass guitar, dobro, mandolin & ukulele.

Mike Barnes is also available for performance bookings in all musical styles.  Please contact him for any of your live musical needs.

Professional Education: Graduate of Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) Los Angeles, CA.  Master’s Degree Program, University of Miami.  Faculty member University of N.C. at Asheville – Music Department.

Teaching Schedule:
Online Lessons Only - Contact Mike Directly - See Above

Instruments Taught:
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele

In-Store Private Lessons

If you are a beginning or intermediate guitarist who has been frustrated by the task of advancing your guitar skills, Forrest Smith is here to help. Forrest has a B.A. in music from The University of North Carolina at Asheville. Forrest helps understand the theories of music through the music you enjoy. Forrest graduated from UNCA in 1997 and began teaching at Asheville Music School. In 2000 he joined the teaching staff at Musician’s Workshop. Since arriving in Asheville in 1992, Forrest has been a member of many bands (Marsupial, The Jaimee Tomas Band, This Man’s Hat, Leigh Glass & The Hazards,Fifth House, After School Special, The Royal We), as well as contributing to several artists recordings. Forrest’s approach to teaching is to tailor his style to each individual student based on their goals and music style preferences.

Professional Education: B.A. in Music, University of N.C. at Asheville.

Teaching Schedule:
In Store Lessons / Monday, Tuesday and Saturday

Instruments Taught:
Guitar, Bass Guitar

In-Store Private Lessons

Rick Praytor has been teaching guitar and mentoring young and upcoming bands for 45 years. Rick studied with Joe Diorio at the Guitar Institute of Technology. He also studied with Tim Hayden and studied theory and composition with Bill Gerhardt. Rick is currently playing solo finger style and jazz guitar at several venues around western North Carolina. Rick’s approach is to know his students and develop a lesson approach that is fun and tailored to his student’s wants and needs. He will work on the very basic stuff or goes deep as you would like. He will recommend things he thinks would benefit you but never force you. It is always your choice. He also teaches bass guitar.

Professional Education:  Graduate of Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) Los Angeles, CA.

Teaching Schedule:
In Store Lessons / Wednesday

Instruments Taught:
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele

In-Store Private Lessons

Jonathan “Jelly” Ellington is a native of Asheville, NC and has been teaching and mentoring aspiring guitarists for over 10 years. He is a classically trained guitarist, and studied with Tomo Fujita at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Jelly has performed and recorded with Grammy Award-Winning artists, and was awarded as a Top 10 “Best Guitarist” in the 2018 and 2019 Austin Music Awards in Austin, TX. Jelly loves all genres and styles of music, and considers himself most deeply rooted in rock n’ roll and blues. Jelly is an avid performer, producer, and recording artist in the Asheville, Nashville, and Austin music scenes. He has valuable and effective resources to help bring out the full potential in each of his students. Jelly’s passion for music is infectious, and he always strives to create a fun and creative atmosphere in each of his lessons. Whether it’s learning your favorite songs or picking up the guitar for the very first time, Jelly is here to help! Visit his website at jellyellington.com to listen to his original music and find out more info.

Professional Education:  Graduate of Berklee College of Music Boston, MA. B.M. in Performance

Teaching Schedule:
In Store Lessons / Monday and Tuesday