Paul Warren Guitar instructor Paul Warren is the owner and director of the Raleigh Music Academy, LLC. He has been instructing guitar since 1990, with the last 15 years being in Raleigh. He has studied guitar and music theory on a University level and has performed in numerous bands and has taught clinics, group classes, as well as private lessons. He teaches chording, theory, improvisation, technique development and more while specializing in rock, pop and metal. He is happy to endorse Ernie Ball electric and nylon strings, Dimarzio pickups and straps, Xotic Pedals, and Port City guitar cabinets. Hugh Floyd Bass, Guitar instructor Hugh Floyd is presently performing on bass guitar in a number of performance groups ranging from jazz to rock to country. He stays active as a free-lance guitarist for substitution and studio work and also studied music via a music department scholarship at the University of Carolina at Pembroke. Hugh Floyd has work/performed with the following: Steve Earl, Tori Amos, Paul Rogers, Heart, The Outlaws, Delbert McClinton, Blackfoot, Rossington Collings Band, Molly Hatchet, The Embers, Band of Oz. Robert Horne Guitar, Bass instructor This honor graduate of Musician's Institute in Hollywood, Ca. has over twelve years experience as a formally trained music instructor. He teaches guitar and bass to students ranging from children to adults, from beginners to advanced players. Robert's teaching style combines formal training with his experience of more than 20 years as a professional touring musician, playing a wide variety of musical styles including Rock, Blues, Country, and various Acoustic styles. Robert's private lessons are tailored to each student's individual needs. Instructional materials are provided as part of his lesson package. The play-along CDs or tapes for home practice included in this package are custom-recorded for each individual student. Robert teaches Rhythmic Skills, Improvisation (lead guitar and slide guitar), Ear Training (transcribing and playing by ear), Ensemble Playing, Sight Reading and Theory. Brett Mckee Guitar instructor Brett is a graduate of the GIT program at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. He teaches beginners to advanced players in a variety of musical styles. He enjoys bringing the creativity out of students, so they can excel and feel confident in their playing. Brett has played with bands in various parts of the US. and enjoys writing and recording. Ben Walters Banjo, Guitar, Piano, Mandolin instructor Ben Walters from Birmingham, Alabama is currently the banjo player for the native Raleigh bluegrass band, Kickin Grass. Ben is graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in music with an emphasis on classical piano and linguistics. His musical pursuits have included playing banjo with Chapel Hill band Run of the Mill and accompanying vocal students at UNC on the piano. He focuses his teaching toward all types of students from beginner to advanced, and a wide range of styles from Scruggs to Fleck.   Mary Ann Madison Guitar instructor Mary Ann Madison has taught private and group guitar classes to young beginners, teenagers, and adults. She was the director and an instructor at The Guitar Studio of Wake Forest. She's been a licensed Kindermusik educator and currently presents her own music enrichment program at preschools. Mary Ann has numerous copyrights on original compositions. She's working on a recording project of her songs that echo a variety of styles from classic rock, country, and folk. She teaches; music theory and sight reading, fret board logic and technique, chord forms, scale forms, improvisation and fundamentals of song writing. Susan Riggs Piano, keyboards, voice instructor Susan Riggs has been playing and singing since she was very young. She received a BA in Piano Performance from UNC Greensboro and a minor in voice. She is also a member of the Raleigh Piano Teacher's Association and the Music Teacher's National Association. Her experience lends itself to classical, pop/rock, as well as other styles. She teaches younger students as well as adults and has been doing so for 19 years. She has also sang and played keyboards in various bands including her current band, Silent Resonance. She also plays for weddings and parties all over the Triangle, and is affiliated with Musician's Booking agency and other booking agencies in the area. She believes that the learning process should be informative and enjoyable and tries to maintain that balance in her lessons.   John Ruggero Drums and percussion instructor John studied percussion at ECU and is a regular percussionist for events such as musicals, clinics and other band performances. He is accomplished in styles ranging from blues, to jazz, to funk and rock. A more detailed bio coming soon.... Ron Thal Honorary RMA instructor Ron Thal has become a regular guest instructor at the RMA and visits periodically to do clinics, workshops and performances. To be informed of his next appearance at the RMA, please make sure to sign up for our email list on the homepage. For more info on Ron, click HERE.