John Phillips

   A Lifetime of Music

John began playing the guitar in high school, taking guitar class at school, and studying privately with the owner of a local recording studio. After high school, he briefly left the guitar behind when he enlisted in the US Army. While in the Army, he picked up the guitar again, playing whenever he could. After returning to civilian life, he began studying with a variety of teachers, each specializing in jazz, rock, blues and classical guitar styles. During this time, he honed his skills playing in a number of local bands. He majored in music at the State College of Florida. John has performed with the Florida West Coast Symphony, as well as being a session player for local orchestras and recording studios. He has also been the minister of music at Gulf Gate Church in Sarasota, Florida. Over the course of his teaching career, John has taught at The Suzuki Institute of Music, The Florida Enrichment Academy, Manatee School for the Arts, The Woodland Fine Arts Academy, Keyboards and More, and his own personal studio, as well as holding various seminars and master classes.

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John teaches live online virtual classes from his own studio as well as in-person at the Aiken Center for the Arts, and at the Carolina Academy of Music. He is member of Aiken Center for the Arts, Aiken Music Teachers Association and Arts & Heritage Center of N Augusta.