Guitar Lessons
The Peterson School of Music guitar lessons provide a fun, enriching musical journey for students of all levels. With expert instruction tailored to your child’s interests and abilities, students quickly gain confidence playing their favorite songs while building a strong foundation in technique, creativity, and musicality. From their first strum to more advanced pieces, our engaging lessons foster a lifelong passion for music and personal growth.
Enroll today to spark your child’s musical journey with the joy of guitar!
DIANA & JOEL PETERSON SCHOOL OF MUSIC
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
Our approach
The guitar may be small in size, but its musical possibilities are vast—it’s like holding a miniature orchestra in your hands. At Peterson School of Music, our guitar lessons tap into this versatility, guiding students through every step of their musical journey. The guitar’s simplicity makes it a wonderful instrument for beginners to start playing their favorite melodies and chords quickly, while its depth and complexity offer a lifelong path of discovery for dedicated students.
From classical to contemporary styles, the guitar continues to evolve, revealing new creative potentials every day. Whether your child is strumming their first chord or aiming to master advanced techniques, our guitar program nurtures both skill and passion, inspiring a love for music that will last a lifetime.
A GIFTED MUSIC SCHOOL TRADITION
EST. 2008
What to expect
Weekly lessons
15 in the fall semester, 17 in the spring, with holiday breaks included
Summer
lessons
Flexible schedule, with a minimum of six lessons required to retain a spot in the studio
In-person format
While in-person lessons are preferred, remote lessons are available based on teacher discretion
Lesson durations
30, 45, and 60 minutes are common, with extended 75 or 90-minute lessons for advanced students
Studio recitals
Each semester includes a performance opportunity for students to showcase their progress
Who our lessons are for
We offer world-class training for students of all ages and levels, from young beginners to adults—our oldest student is 90!
Most of our programs are designed to support growth from preschool through high school graduation, we provide an integrated pathway for musical and personal development. Every program contributes to our goal of fostering future community leaders, engaged citizens, and passionate musicians.
What students will learn
Students build a solid foundation in both technique and musical ability. They learn how to properly hold the guitar, develop finger strength for playing chords and melodies, and explore a variety of strumming and picking techniques.
Students are taught to tune their instrument, understand rhythm. Through tailored instruction, group playing opportunities, and engaging lessons, our program nurtures both a love for music and the skills to grow as confident, versatile guitarists.
Lesson costs
Tuition for guitar lessons varies depending on the instructor and the length of the lesson. Detailed tuition ranges by department are available here. This allows families to choose the best fit for their needs. The lesson package includes all regular lessons, studio recitals, and group performance opportunities, providing a well-rounded musical education.
Our school’s mission is to help as many students as possible experience the joy of music, regardless of financial constraints. We offer several need-based and merit-based scholarships. We would love to have you apply.
Meet the faculty
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Andres Reyes
A versatile and accomplished jazz guitarist, Andres Reyes has a deep passion for all genres of music. With a background in jazz, funk, indie-folk, and more, Andres brings his vast performance experience and creativity to his teaching. He has co-founded a nonprofit, Boom Bap Bam, to spread jazz music and culture in Utah and has taught students of all ages for over a decade. Andres’s goal-oriented and flexible approach allows each student to achieve their musical ambitions, emphasizing ear training and a personalized path to mastery. Currently an adjunct professor at Salt Lake Community College, he continues to perform and inspire musicians throughout Utah.
Full bio >
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Sophie Stanley
Sophie Stanley brings a wealth of expertise to her guitar and ukulele instruction at Peterson School of Music. With a Master’s from the New England Conservatory and extensive performance experience, Sophie has played in prestigious competitions like the Boston Guitar Festival and the Utah Symphony Salute to Youth. She has worked closely with esteemed teachers and contributed to the classical guitar community as an intern and performer in both Utah and Boston. Sophie’s passion for music and her dedication to fostering each student’s growth make her an inspiring mentor for musicians of all levels.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to learn more? See further details here, and don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss any additional questions. You can always find us at:
info@petersonschoolofmusic.org
(385) 222-7787
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Signing up for lessons and classes is easy! Go to our new student registration page and fill out the form. You can choose from a variety of programs based on your interests and skill level. We will be in touch with you shortly after the form is completed. If you’re not sure where to start, feel free to contact us, and we’ll guide you in selecting the right program for you or your child.
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We offer a range of programs designed to meet the needs of students at every level of their musical journey:
Conservatory: For serious students who gain admission through audition. Once admitted, students receive a full scholarship for all their classes.
Academy: High-level tuition-based lessons and classes open to students of all ages from the general community. Scholarships are available to help support aspiring musicians.
GRIT Program: Our comprehensive outreach program in Title I schools, bringing high-quality music education to underserved communities.
Young Composers Academy (YCA): Tuition-based Conservatory classes and opportunities that are available to the general public.
Suzuki Program: A part of the Preparatory Program, focused on string students using the renowned Suzuki method.
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We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.
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Our school is home to an extraordinary team of faculty members and teachers, all of whom are accomplished musicians and dedicated educators. Our faculty bring a wealth of professional experience and expertise to their teaching, ensuring that students receive top-tier musical instruction. You can learn more about each instructor by visiting our faculty page, where you’ll find bios and details about their areas of specialization.
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To apply to our Conservatory program, students must go through an audition process. This ensures that we select students who are committed to excelling in their musical studies. Information about audition dates and requirements can be found on our Conservatory Admissions page. If you have questions or need assistance during the application process, our admissions team is here to help.
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Your support is vital to the success of our programs and the growth of our students. To make a donation or learn more about the different ways you can contribute, please visit the donate page on our website. Donations go toward scholarships, outreach programs, and other initiatives that make high-quality music education accessible to all.
“We feel lucky to have found this school two years ago. At first, our kids were just in children’s choir, but we later added voice, violin, and piano lessons. All the teachers are top notch!”
Anna Taylor
PSM Parent