Andrew Seligson

I am Andrew Seligson, an educator, composer, guitarist, and TED speaker hailing from the acclaimed Oberlin Conservatory of Music. My expertise is in music composition and guitar performance. Throughout my career, I have created, produced, performed, and recorded a variety of original works ranging from operas to symphonies, orchestral pieces, and chamber works. Additionally, I have played in diverse contemporary ensembles while visiting the United Nations for my job.

Teaching music and guitar is both an art and a science. The structured approach to learning and teaching guitar makes it a scientific pursuit. To understand the fretboard completely requires a multi-dimensional visualization of both the harmony and chord structures and scales and modes. As such, students need to be disciplined and committed to the instrument, and teachers must be selfless and self-critical in guiding their students.

Aside from the science, there is an art to music teaching that requires an empathetic understanding of the student's intrinsic motivation. As musicians, we know the dedication it requires to master an instrument. As a result, I strive to inspire my students by understanding their personal interests, answering the question "Why?" and guide them towards genuine learning over time. Finding the balance between intrinsic motivation and structured teaching is no easy feat, but it's a challenge I relish.

As a music instructor, I bring a unique combination of patience, encouragement, and genuine love of teaching to any level of music student.