From High School Dropout to Master’s Degree, Guitar Coach, and More!
I’m Mel, and I’ve spent more than thirty years playing guitar and over twenty years helping others discover the joy of making music.
But my journey didn’t begin in a classroom or on a concert stage. It began with a dream.
Music Became My Escape
Growing up, life wasn’t always easy.
My parents struggled in their relationship, and eventually they separated. During those difficult years, music became an important part of my life.
My parents listened primarily to country music, but as I got older, I discovered rock, classic rock, and heavy metal.
Then I discovered Jimi Hendrix. And everything changed.
I spent countless hours learning Hendrix songs, studying his playing, and trying to understand the musical ideas behind his unmistakable sound.
I didn’t simply want to listen to great guitarists.
I wanted to become one.
In fact, I talked about playing guitar so much that people assumed I already knew how! The truth was, I could barely play.
But I had a dream.
And I had someone who believed in me.
Someone Believed in Me
My mom bought me my first guitar, an old nylon-string instrument that came from a relative. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was mine.
Unfortunately, the bridge eventually broke.
As I got older, I began working, saving money, and buying my own guitars.
Eventually, I purchased my first electric guitar and later upgraded to an Ibanez.
Then an apartment fire destroyed our home, along with my first three guitars.
It was devastating.
But I wasn’t ready to give up on music.
I worked and saved until I could purchase another electric guitar, a Yamaha Pacifica 112. There was just one problem.
I still needed a proper amplifier.
And that’s when my mom stepped in again.
Even though money was tight, she found a way to buy me a Laney amplifier from Strings and Things Music in Elmira, New York.
She didn’t buy every guitar I owned.
But she gave me something far more important.
She believed in my dream.
Looking back, I believe God was working through her encouragement.
And throughout the years, He continued bringing people into my life who helped me grow.
An Unconventional Musical Education
I dropped out of high school at sixteen.
But that wasn’t the end of my education.
I eventually earned my GED and began attending Corning Community College.
During those early years, I also worked at Strings and Things Music in Elmira, New York.
Working in a music store gave me opportunities to learn about guitars, equipment, repairs, and even instrument building.
But what I really wanted to do was teach.
Eventually, the store owner gave me an opportunity to begin working with students.
That’s where I discovered how much I enjoyed helping other people develop their musical abilities. Meanwhile, I continued pursuing my own education.
My musical interests had expanded beyond rock into jazz and classical guitar.
I studied with teachers including Casey Mallow, Hugh Douglass, and Mark Burin, who helped me develop my understanding of jazz harmony, improvisation, reading, and transcription.
I eventually attended Mansfield University, where I studied classical guitar and jazz.
During my time there, I had the privilege of participating in a masterclass with internationally acclaimed classical guitarist David Russell.
I also studied with Professor Matt Slotkin, who encouraged me to pursue teaching and helped open doors professionally.
Later, I earned my master’s degree in Worship Studies, specializing in ethnomusicology, from Liberty University.
Each stage of that journey expanded my understanding of music and deepened my appreciation for its power to connect people.
From Student to Teacher
Over the years, I’ve had opportunities to perform in rock, jazz, classical, and worship settings.
In 2005 and 2006, I performed alongside jazz saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, now known professionally as Chad LB, during the annual Corning Jazz Festival.
We played in intimate venues along Market Street, including a coffee shop and a jewelry store.
We were younger musicians developing our craft, and those experiences were part of the journey.
I also spent more than a decade teaching at Marich Music.
Eventually, I began teaching guitar and directing instrumental ensembles at Corning Community College.
The same college where my higher education journey had begun.
For someone who dropped out of high school at sixteen, that was a meaningful full-circle moment.
I’ve also had the privilege of helping students develop into accomplished musicians, including some who went on to study at Berklee College of Music.
That’s especially meaningful because Berklee was a school I’d once dreamed of attending myself.
Discovering Musical Freedom
Throughout my teaching career, I’ve learned that students often come to guitar lessons for a simple reason.
They want to play the music they love.
And I believe that’s a wonderful place to start.
Songs give us something recognizable and rewarding to work toward. But they can also open the door to something much bigger.
As students progress, I help them discover how notes, scales, chords, triads, arpeggios, and musical patterns connect across the fretboard.
The CAGED system is one of the tools I use to help students understand those connections.
But the goal isn’t simply to memorize another system.
It’s to develop real musical understanding and freedom.
I want students to reach the point where they can confidently learn songs, understand what they’re playing, improvise, and create their own musical ideas.
Because I’ve come to believe something important:
Songs tell the stories of life. But improvisation gives us the opportunity to tell our own story through music.
That’s one of the guiding philosophies behind my coaching.
Music, Faith, and Family
Today, I’m a husband, father of three, worship director, entrepreneur, and guitar coach.
My faith is an important part of my life.
And one of the greatest joys I’ve experienced is getting to share music with my family.
My teenage son has become a talented drummer, and we’ve had opportunities to perform together throughout New York State.
We also regularly serve together on our church’s worship team.
Being able to make music alongside my son while serving a church community I love is something I don’t take for granted.
It’s a reminder that musical success isn’t always measured by fame, money, or the size of an audience.
Sometimes it’s measured by the relationships we build, the people we serve, and the experiences we share.
Why I Created Unleash Your Inner Guitar Hero
I created Unleash Your Inner Guitar Hero because I believe there’s tremendous musical potential waiting to be discovered in people who haven’t yet had the right opportunity, guidance, or encouragement.
I especially enjoy helping busy adults, parents, entrepreneurs, and professionals who still dream of becoming better guitarists.
Maybe you’ve been playing for years but feel stuck.
Maybe you know a handful of chords and scales but struggle to connect everything.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to improvise confidently or play the songs of guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, or John Frusciante.
Or maybe you’ve simply been too busy building a career and raising a family to give your musical dreams the attention they deserve.
I understand.
And I want you to know that meaningful progress is still possible.
My approach combines practical playing, musical understanding, structured practice, and personal encouragement.
We’ll start with music that inspires you.
Then we’ll build the skills and understanding that allow you to go further.
And along the way, I want to help you develop the confidence to express yourself through your instrument.
The Guitarist God Created You to Become
I believe God places dreams and desires in our hearts for a reason.
I also believe that musical growth takes dedication, patience, practice, and the right guidance.
You don’t have to become a famous musician.
You don’t have to perform in front of thousands of people.
But you can pursue the joy of making music, develop your abilities, and discover what you’re capable of.
My mom believed in me when I needed it most.
My teachers and mentors helped me see possibilities I hadn’t yet imagined.
Now, after decades of playing, performing, and teaching, I have the opportunity to offer that same encouragement to others.
And that’s one of the greatest privileges of my life.
I’d love to help you become the guitarist God created you to become. Let’s unleash your inner guitar hero.
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