The Olympia School of Guitar

I have always wanted to learn to play the guitar, and didn't know where to start. Over the years, I have tried a few different teaching programs that didn't work out. I am so pleased to have found The Olympia School of Guitar. I've been taking lessons from Nicholas Anderson for 9 months and couldn't be happier! Nicholas is professional, patient and cultivates a relaxing, fun learning environment. His musical knowledge and teaching approach is top notch. From the start, he takes the time to communicate clearly, and inquires about past music experience and goals, then designs your lessons for success. He makes lessons challenging and fun, and provides practice tips to work on between lessons so you'll continue to see progress towards your goals. I highly recommend Nicholas.

I've been going here for a little over a year now and I'm very impressed with the progress I've made. The structure, style, and pace of how Nicholas teaches has kept me continuously engaged in learning the guitar (where I've fizzled out with self-teaching/online programs in the past). With Nicholas, I always feel like I'm being taught how to learn and improve instead of just being told what to practice. The lessons are always fun and relaxed, I look forward to every one!

I have been taking lessons here for almost a year. Nicholas has dedicated himself to teaching guitar. It's not a side gig. His focus really shows. He has created lessons that build skills and fluency without being boring or tedious. He is adept at teaching students of all levels. He pays attention and helps his students improve from wherever they start.

I just finished up six months of individualized lessons with Nicholas, and I’m very happy. When I started, I was a self-taught intermediate player who rarely chose to pick up my electric guitar instead of my 6- or 12-string acoustics. I wanted to develop at least some ability “plugged in,” and playing single string runs rather than just chords. Nicholas listened and tailored a lesson plan specifically to my desires. Right away, I became faster, smoother and much more aware of how the fretboard works. Most important, Nicholas gave me the confidence to tackle pieces I previously thought far beyond my abilities. I sounded like the record! (Well, fairly close.) What I liked best was Nicholas’ ability and willingness to instantly address my particular technical challenges, both in playing and in music structure. No question was unanswered. Nicholas has my highest recommendation.

I have been studying with Nicholas for quite a while now and have been able to really improve my playing. I had already been playing for many years but was sort of stuck and needed help with my understanding of music and music theory as well as technique to move forward. He is a great teacher and is able to present challenging musical ideas and techniques in ways that don't become overwhelming. I began with the intent of learning to create my own arrangements and to improvise and although I still have much to learn I have acquired tools that have really increased my enjoyment of the guitar in those areas.