Lessons

I have been teaching guitar lessons for over a decade (averaging 20-30 students a week) and find my enthusiasm for music and my fascination with guitar growing deeper with every student I have the opportunity to work with. I cater to each students individual goals, providing them with the appropriate tools, resources, and knowledge required to become the musician they aspire to be.

Contact

• stevenkaivanbetten@gmail.com

• 702-540-0178

Education

• The California Institute of the Arts - BFA in Jazz Guitar

• Las Vegas Academy of the Arts - Classical and Jazz Guitar

• The Banff Centre's Jazz and Creative Music Residency

• The School for Improv (NY)

• In addition, I spent a month in Ghana apprenticing SK Kakraba, a master of the gyil (traditional West African xylophone).

Experience

• Over a decade of consistent teaching experience

• Faculty at Rhodes School of Music

• Ensemble director at Oakwood School ACE program

• Big Band director at CalArts Community Arts Partnership

• Guest Artist Lecturer at Bakersfield College

• Guest Artist Lecturer at St. Lawrence University (NY)

• Guest Artist Lecturer at Wooster College (OH)

• Guest Artist Lecturer at Ohio State University (OH)

• Private guitar instructor at Instrumental Music Ventura

• Private guitar instructor and ensemble director at Plaza de la Raza

Rates

• $100, 60min

• $75, 45min

• $50, 30min

  • I also teach online via Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime

My teaching studio is located in Eagle Rock

• 4210 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065

• 702-540-0178 to schedule a lesson.

Testimonials

“Steven is an incredible teacher, I can't recommend him enough!!!

I am singer-songwriter that came to Steven with limited skills on the guitar and man oh man, he helped me so much. We worked on techniques and theory through different musical styles and rhythmic issues in my own music. He gave me so many tools that elevated my songwriting. He always listened to my concerns and frustrations with guitar and found creative and fun ways to solve them.

Steven is an extremely talented musician himself but is also just a joy to be around. He is compassionate, positive and so patient. He really made me feel comfortable and that I was in a safe space, free of judgment - I'm someone who gets really nervous to play so for me, this was very helpful.

No matter how you are looking to improve your knowledge of music/skills on guitar, Steven is the guy, he is the best around.”

• Jessica A.

“I've been taking lessons with Steven for several years. I've grown not only in musicianship, but music knowledge. I also have a middle schooler who has been taking lessons. She has grown from a curious "plucker" to a proficient player who is constantly searching out new songs and expanding her love of music. He is patient, knowledgeable and a joy to be around. If there were more stars, he'd get the highest rating!”

• Tulani B.

“I can now say that I have been playing guitar for the majority of my life. I took lessons for about two years in high school, but as an adult student I thought that with the vast amount of resources available online, there was no need for me to take private lessons. I spent years trying on my own to take my playing to the next level and get through various obstacles and challenges, and though there were victories, there were often times that I felt frustrated and discouraged. It often felt that I was learning bits and pieces of information that were a bit disconnected. I felt that I was a good player who had a bag of "guitar tricks," but I was not progressing the way I wanted to as a musician.

Finally, I made the decision to try private lessons again. I found Steven here on Yelp, and since taking lessons with him, I have experienced an incredible amount of growth in my musicianship. Steven listened to my concerns and worked to address them with me from my very first lesson. Together we have been working on not only developing my skills as a guitar player, but as a musician, working towards building a more complete understanding of music theory and applying it to the fretboard. I have found that my practice is more focused and inspired because of my work with Steven and that was something I had begun to struggle with on my own. Whether you are just becoming acquainted with the guitar, or you are an accomplished player, Steven has the knowledge and resources to help you fall in love, (or fall in love again) with playing.

I can't recommend Steven highly enough. My only regret is not taking the plunge several years earlier. If you can relate to my experience at all, don't isolate yourself or think that just because you've reached a certain level of playing you no longer need guitar lessons. Contact Steven and continue your journey as a musician.”

• Matthew R.

“I can't imagine a better teacher than Steven--for anyone, any age. I'm a baby boomer who just wanted to be able to make music, without any particular goals. But lessons with Steven gave me so much more than simply the skills to play some songs. His kind encouragement gave me the freedom to let go of my self-criticism. He always wanted me to explore the music I was interested in, not follow some set curriculum, and he genuinely enjoys all kinds of music himself. Another thing that sets Steven apart is his deep knowledge and understanding of music.
I happen to be curious about theory, and it's second nature to him.
More than anything, though, he's such a fun, kind, empathic, genuine person. I looked forward to my lessons even if I hadn't practiced as much as I'd intended.
My experience is as an older adult, but most students are young kids. I've seen how much he enjoys seeing the light dawn in his students' eyes, and how much he relishes their accomplishments, and they adore him. How wonderful it would be to learn about music from Steven as a child.”

• Susan B.

“I have had a slew of guitar teachers over the years and Steven has been far and away the best. Not only is he deeply and widely knowledgeable about music and the guitar, more importantly he is very patient and he has a superb style of teaching the fundamentals of music and playing the guitar. I have learned from him some of the basics that I've have never been introduced to previously. I feel exceeding fortunate to have discovered him-- he's the type of instructor that I almost immediately felt this is the instructor I've been looking for a long, long time but could had never found.”

• Ed R.

“Steven is the best! My daughter has been working with him for the past 4 years. We even drive an hour to see him because he is that wonderful. He is a dedicated teacher who cares for his students. My daughter feels so comfortable working with him. He is willing to accomplish our schedule and is punctual. I couldn't recommend him more!”

• Courtney J.

“I have been taking guitar lessons with Steven for about six months and I can already say that I am a better player, in both technical skill and more importantly confidence.

He has a clear understanding of music theory, is patient and comprehensive in his explanations, and is effective at tying that specific information to broader concepts. However, he is also aware of when to remind me to take a break from the minutiae of theory and enjoy playing the music.

I'm also grateful for his encouragement to push myself, I don't have a lot of confidence in my playing or singing, and I feel supported to continue to grow.

It has been a challenge to start playing an instrument as an adult, but I finally feel, with Steven's help that I am getting to where I want to be.”

• Madalaine M.

“I took lessons from Steven for about a year. He helped me make the transition from bluegrass mandolin to jazz guitar melodies. He was always positive and communicated a joy for music. He taught me how to have fun with music again. I can tell you as an educational psychologist, Steven is a very effective guitar teacher for students of all ages. I highly recommend him.”

• James M.