Lessons are available for adults and children age six and older. Students learn solid technique so that they play the guitar with good posture and hand movements. Basic music theory is taught along with reading music notation, chord construction, and knowledge of the fret board. Amy teaches her students to become well-rounded musicians and encourages them to attend local concerts and perform in recitals that she frequently organizes. She has prepared students for acceptance at university music programs, The Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA), and the Academy for the Performing Arts (APA). Amy is on the Guitar Syllabus Committee for the Certificate of Merit program with the Music Teacher's Association of California (MTAC), and many of her students participate in the Certificate of Merit program each year. Amy is very patient and works well with people of all ages and backgrounds. Guitar lessons are scheduled for the same time each week for either half hour or hour sessions. Lessons are paid for monthly on the first lesson of each month. Please contact Amy directly to schedule lessons.
Highlights and features
- Certificate of Merit
- Musical Arts Competition of Orange County (MACOC)
Associations and certifications
- Music Teacher's Association of California (MTAC)
- Guitar Foundation of America (GFA)
- Masters of Music in Classical Guitar Performance
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Guitar Lessons
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Amy teaches classical guitar. Students learn to read music and build a repertoire over time appropriate for their level. She also incorporates other styles into the lessons, such as folk, rock, and country, when desired by the student. Learning a new instrument takes a combination of skill and dedication. Those considering beginning guitar lessons should plan to dedicate at least 30 minutes every day to practicing the guitar. Students will learn different ways of reading music, including tablature and notation. Music theory is taught along with playing the guitar; this helps the student understand what they are playing. A repertoire of music is built over time and students have songs and scales to take home to practice each week. Physical technique is a focus in lessons, allowing the student to learn to play with ease using free and natural movements.
It is never too late to learn how to play the guitar. Adults of all ages and children 5 and older, from beginners to advanced players, are welcome. Amy has a strong background teaching children and helps them have fun while learning about music.
Amy teaches Alexander Technique lessons to musicians of all styles and ability levels. She has experience working with classical and electric guitarists, violinists, pianists, cellists, and singers. Lessons are tailored to the individual and often include applied anatomy lessons, sensory awareness exercises, and guided movement activities.
People
Amy Hite
Amy is a classical guitarist from Huntington Beach, CA and has been playing the guitar since 1989. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Masters Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from California State University, Fullerton, where she studied under David Grimes. She has been performing and teaching since 2005.
Along with providing music for hundreds of weddings and private events, Amy has performed full concerts as a soloist and with the Los Angeles Guitar Duo at local universities and music societies, most recently completing a tour in 2012 with performances at the American Guitar Society, Long Beach Classical Guitar Society, Sacramento Guitar Society, Ventura County Classical Guitar Society, and the Nixon Library & Museum. She was a member of the Fullerton Guitar Orchestra from 2006 - 2010, during which they performed throughout California and on a three-week tour of Bulgaria, which culminated with a concert at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia. Amy is a founding committee member and current performer of the Orange County Guitar Orchestra. She is also a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique. Amy teaches private guitar lessons and has prepared students for acceptance at university music programs, The Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA), and the Academy for the Performing Arts (APA).
Along with providing music for hundreds of weddings and private events, Amy has performed full concerts as a soloist and with the Los Angeles Guitar Duo at local universities and music societies, most recently completing a tour in 2012 with performances at the American Guitar Society, Long Beach Classical Guitar Society, Sacramento Guitar Society, Ventura County Classical Guitar Society, and the Nixon Library & Museum. She was a member of the Fullerton Guitar Orchestra from 2006 - 2010, during which they performed throughout California and on a three-week tour of Bulgaria, which culminated with a concert at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia. Amy is a founding committee member and current performer of the Orange County Guitar Orchestra. She is also a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique. Amy teaches private guitar lessons and has prepared students for acceptance at university music programs, The Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA), and the Academy for the Performing Arts (APA).
Reviews (9)
Laura G.
Apr 04, 2020
Amy is a great guitar teacher. I'm new to guitar but have played other instruments before. I needed help with my left hand positioning because I was feeling tension and pain in my wrist and fingers while playing chords. She was very helpful in teaching me the right way to position my hands and body so that I don't injure myself while playing. She's super patient and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend her as a guitar teacher!
Caley B.
Sep 16, 2019
Amy is the BEST! I came into this experience after almost a decade away from music but wanting to try a different instrument and completely unsure what to expect. Though I have a totally crappy work schedule and minimal practice time, Amy has had the patience of a saint and I always come out of a lesson having learned something new and awesome. I highly recommend Amy as a teacher no matter where you are in your music career.
Elisa T.
Aug 15, 2016
My daughter has been taking guitar lessons with Amy for the last four years. I highly recommend her as a guitar instructor. Amy is a talented musician and gifted instructor as well. She is well equipped to teach both children and adults. (My husband has taken lessons from Amy as well, and was very impressed with her.) Amy is talented, prepared, patient, responsive, and a lovely person.
She emphasizes proper technique and tailors the lessons to her students. It is obvious that Amy enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge and love of guitar. My daughter has learned so much from her. Amy is a fabulous guitar teacher!
She emphasizes proper technique and tailors the lessons to her students. It is obvious that Amy enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge and love of guitar. My daughter has learned so much from her. Amy is a fabulous guitar teacher!
Liv H.
It's been about three years that I have been training under Amy, and her eagerness in classical guitar has made me comfortable and satisfied in her class! I am pleased that her guidance has lead me as far as getting accepted in the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA). When I first started practicing guitar with Amy, I didn't even know how to grip the instrument properly. After getting used to Amy's friendly vibe, I started to look forward to guitar lessons, and I would assure anyone at any level in guitar, that you've got the right teacher!
Larry W.
I am pleased to endorse Amy Hite's classical guitar instruction. Having recently retired, for the past year I have been taking lessons with Amy. Each week, I look forward to meeting with her. She is a great teacher and an amazing talent. Her passion for the guitar is contagious and her patience combined with positive reinforcement has made learning to play the classical guitar both fun and rewarding.
Neely M.
I've been taking guitar lessons from Amy for about 2 years now. When I started, I didn't even know how to hold the guitar properly, but now I'm playing all my favorite songs. Amy gives positive reinforcement with a very encouraging tone. I look forward to my lessons every week to see what new songs she'll give me to work on. She never gives me more than I can handle for the week. I'm very happy my dad found her for me! I can't imagine taking lessons from anyone else.
Elisa T.
My daughter has been taking guitar lessons with Amy for the last four years. I highly recommend her as a guitar instructor. Amy is a talented musician and gifted instructor as well. She is well equipped to teach both children and adults. (My husband has taken lessons from Amy as well, and was very impressed with her.)
Amy is talented, prepared, patient, responsive, and a lovely person.
She emphasizes proper technique and tailors the lessons to her students. It is obvious that Amy enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge and love of guitar. My daughter has learned so much from her. Amy is a fabulous guitar teacher!
Amy is talented, prepared, patient, responsive, and a lovely person.
She emphasizes proper technique and tailors the lessons to her students. It is obvious that Amy enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge and love of guitar. My daughter has learned so much from her. Amy is a fabulous guitar teacher!
Langston M.
I have been taking guitar lessons with Amy for just about four years now. My continuing attendance with her is indicative of her vast guitar knowledge, adaptability to different learning styles, attention to detail, and overall effectiveness as a teacher. Whether you are looking for something fun, or want to learn as much as possible about the guitar, I highly recommend Amy as a guitar coach.
Calvin T.
I am one of Amy's students and I've been studying with her for about a year now. Besides being well cultivated on the guitar, she is also very passionate about performing and teaching. She truly loves and enjoys her job and her passion for classical guitar is pretty contagious as well.
Amy has always been patient with me since day one and teaches through positive reinforcement.
She gives technique based criticism and advice to improve playing but always gives encouraging feedback and praise. Amy has structure to her teaching like sight-reading pieces and technical exercises but has never discouraged me from learning what I want. A lot of my lesson times are based on pieces that I choose to work on which is awesome. After learning from Amy, my appreciation for guitar and music has grown immensely.
Through Amy, I learned that great playing doesn't have to be a perfect performance and to just embrace and enjoy the learning process and most importantly to have fun while doing it! If you want to have fun while learning an instrument, Amy is your teacher!
Amy has always been patient with me since day one and teaches through positive reinforcement.
She gives technique based criticism and advice to improve playing but always gives encouraging feedback and praise. Amy has structure to her teaching like sight-reading pieces and technical exercises but has never discouraged me from learning what I want. A lot of my lesson times are based on pieces that I choose to work on which is awesome. After learning from Amy, my appreciation for guitar and music has grown immensely.
Through Amy, I learned that great playing doesn't have to be a perfect performance and to just embrace and enjoy the learning process and most importantly to have fun while doing it! If you want to have fun while learning an instrument, Amy is your teacher!