1^st lesson free

Ellen

5 (10 reviews)

Rate R568
Response 1h
Students
Number of students Ellen has accompanied since joining Superprof
50+
Number of students Ellen has accompanied since joining Superprof

5 (10 reviews)

R568/h

1^st lesson free

Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Classical Guitar
Ukulele

Experienced tutor in Guitar in Durham, Ellen offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Classical Guitar
Ukulele

Lesson location

- online

About Ellen

Ellen has developed both her guitar program and her ukulele program through many years of experience doing exactly what she loves to do - teaching.

A teacher's experience is important. Ellen has decades of experience teaching. And when you find a someone who teaches for the precise reason that she loves to teach - as Ellen does - it will contribute significantly to your level of enjoyment as you learn. It will also increase the rate at which you acquire your skills.

Ellen's method is progressive and well-organized, with enough flexibility that the individual strengths and challenges, tastes and specific goals of each student can be taken into account as they learn the technique required to become a well-rounded independent musician.

Ellen makes the process of learning to read music feel completely natural and enjoyable.

Ellen offers individual guitar lessons and ukulele lessons in Durham, North Carolina. Location is convenient also to Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. She incorporates instruction in music theory to the extent the student is interested.

All ages and all levels welcome.

Styles include classical, fingerstyle, blues, pop, ragtime, celtic and other folk traditions, with an emphasis on fingerstyle technique on both the guitar and the ukulele.

In addition to teaching, Ellen spends much of her time arranging music for ukulele and guitar. Her books of arrangements can be previewed at her website.

From the time I was a very young child I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I appreciated the teachers in my life that clearly cared about the subject they were teaching. I have been excited to learn new things from an early age, and knew I wanted to share that excitement with others. The subject matter (music) that I have devoted decades to teaching was not so much a conscious choice as it was just the natural path for me -- given my love of music, my aptitude for learning instruments and my curiosity about how music works.

Ellen’s Education and Experience:

B.A. degree in Music from Mills College

M.A. degree in Music Theory from UCSB

Teaching individual lessons in guitar and music theory since 1981

Teaching all ages (4 through 94)

Teaching all levels (beginner through advanced)

Taught undergraduate classes in music fundamentals, advanced music theory and composition for three years

Taught in-school guitar classes (3rd grade through 12th grade) for seven years

Conducted children's choir

Conducted adult guitar ensemble

About the lesson

New students recieve an introductory lesson at no cost. This way we can assess whether we are a good fit. Students with any level of experience, or no experience at all, are welcome. During our first lesson, I like to learn what, if any, previously acquired skills the student has. I want to learn the student's goals and tastes. And I want for the student to learn something about my teaching style and philosophy.

Reviews

All the reviews collected from students are verified by our team. They are therefore reliable and correspond to a real experience with Ellen.

5 (10 reviews)

A

Anurag
- 5
Perfect! Very sweet teacher with a very well thought out lesson plan!
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A

Anurag

Perfect! Very sweet teacher with a very well thought out lesson plan!
J

John
- 5
Perfect! An exceptionally talented instructor, Ellen is technically instructive and encouraging in a calm positive way. She readily identifies my limitations, and devises solutions that allow me to overcome and progress. Her endless patience combined with obvious practical knowledge results in the exact environment that suits me in a personally satisfying manner, which means I thoroughly enjoy the experience and thereby practice with more enthusiasm and interest. Highest kudos. -JP
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J

John

Perfect! An exceptionally talented instructor, Ellen is technically instructive and encouraging in a calm positive way. She readily identifies my limitations, and devises solutions that allow me to overcome and progress. Her endless patience combined with obvious practical knowledge results in the exact environment that suits me in a personally satisfying manner, which means I thoroughly enjoy the experience and thereby practice with more enthusiasm and interest. Highest kudos. -JP
P

Peter
- 5
Perfect! Ellen has all the attributes of a great teacher - experience, organization, patience, good humor, and a wonderfully supportive attitude. Still enjoying lessons with her as I continue to build my skill and confidence. Cannot recommend her highly enough!
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P

Peter

Perfect! Ellen has all the attributes of a great teacher - experience, organization, patience, good humor, and a wonderfully supportive attitude. Still enjoying lessons with her as I continue to build my skill and confidence. Cannot recommend her highly enough!
B

Bob
- 5
Perfect! She is very professional, has a well rounded understanding of music and technique and is an excellent teacher. I would highly recommend her for classical guitar.
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B

Bob

Perfect! She is very professional, has a well rounded understanding of music and technique and is an excellent teacher. I would highly recommend her for classical guitar.
L

Lindsay
- 5
Perfect! My 10 year old grandson loves Ellen's ukulele lessons. He's having so much fun learning technique, chords and how to read music! After just 6 lessons he's playing recognizable songs with ease. She challenges him, he looks forward to every lesson and rarely needs reminders to practice. What a great start to a life filled with music!!!
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L

Lindsay

Perfect! My 10 year old grandson loves Ellen's ukulele lessons. He's having so much fun learning technique, chords and how to read music! After just 6 lessons he's playing recognizable songs with ease. She challenges him, he looks forward to every lesson and rarely needs reminders to practice. What a great start to a life filled with music!!!
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Recommendations

Recommendations are written by the tutor's friends, family, and acquaintances.

J

Ellen puts a lot of thought into her approach to teaching. Each piece of music fits the student's skill level and interest - and is challenging in a way that's fun. If you bring the inspiration to play guitar, she will help you to 'really' play guitar.
Read more

J
J
Ellen puts a lot of thought into her approach to teaching. Each piece of music fits the student's skill level and interest - and is challenging in a way that's fun. If you bring the inspiration to play guitar, she will help you to 'really' play guitar.
Elan

Most wonderful human I know. I started taking lessons with Ellen in 2011 and now I'm a professional guitarist.

She's patient but also knows when to push you to be better. I don't know where I'd be without her.

5 stars doesn't begin to explain how amazing Ellen is!
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E
Elan
Most wonderful human I know. I started taking lessons with Ellen in 2011 and now I'm a professional guitarist.

She's patient but also knows when to push you to be better. I don't know where I'd be without her.

5 stars doesn't begin to explain how amazing Ellen is!
Harris

I've been taking lessons from Ellen for 3 years. I started as an adult student with other musical experience. She is a patient and attentive teacher. She has an excellent ear and provides guidance so you don't learn things the wrong way. I definitely recommend her as a teacher.
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H
Harris
I've been taking lessons from Ellen for 3 years. I started as an adult student with other musical experience. She is a patient and attentive teacher. She has an excellent ear and provides guidance so you don't learn things the wrong way. I definitely recommend her as a teacher.
Sammy

Excellent teaching style. Well organized lessons and a very supportive environment. My daughter and I are both taught by Ellen and have been for nearly 2 years so she’s got to be doing something right!
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S
Sammy
Excellent teaching style. Well organized lessons and a very supportive environment. My daughter and I are both taught by Ellen and have been for nearly 2 years so she’s got to be doing something right!
Sarah

Ms. Ellen has been teaching my boys guitar since they were 5. She is patient and encouraging, but still demands high quality work. We are very happy with Ms. Ellen and everyone is always impressed whenever they hear my boys play!
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S
Sarah
Ms. Ellen has been teaching my boys guitar since they were 5. She is patient and encouraging, but still demands high quality work. We are very happy with Ms. Ellen and everyone is always impressed whenever they hear my boys play!
See more recommendations

Rates

Rate

R568

Package rates

5h: R2840
10h: R5680

free lesson

The free first lesson with Ellen allows you to get to know the tutor and discuss your needs and expectations.

online

R568/h

Experienced tutor in Guitar in Durham, Ellen offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Lesson location

Recommended

About Ellen

About the lesson

Reviews

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Package rates

free lesson

online

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Experienced tutor in Guitar in Durham, Ellen offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Lesson location

Recommended

About Ellen

About the lesson

Reviews

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Package rates

free lesson

online

Similar Guitar tutor profiles

Tarryn

Anele

Keenan

Jean-Marc

Rafif

Tamryn

Nick

Waldo

Armin

Adebayo

Yahyã

Marvin

Benice

Roz

Paul

Gene

Leigh

Sydney-James

Lorenzo

Andrea

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