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The NAfME Council for Guitar Education seeks to promote and improve the teaching and performance of guitar in school settings. The Guitar Council also advocates for the lifelong study and appreciation of guitar music.

The NAfME Guitar Council collaborated and compiled lists of Guitar Best Practices for each year of study. They comprise a set of technical skills, music experiences, and music theory knowledge that guitar students should know through their scholastic career.

 

 

Christopher Perez Portrait

Christopher Perez


NAfME member Christopher Perez is the Director of Guitar Studies at Freedom High School in Orlando, Florida and a graduate of Western Illinois University. Selected as a Quarterfinalist for the…

Council Members

Christopher Perez (2022-2024), Chair
Director of Guitar Studies
Freedom High School
Orlando, Florida
Kevin Vigil (2023-2024), Chair-Elect
Guitar Director
Heritage High School
Leesburg, Virginia
Jayson Martinez (2022-2024), Eastern Division Representative
Guitar Teacher and  Adjunct Professor of Guitar Studies
Arts High School and Kean University
Newark, New Jersey
Ruth LeMay (2023-2025), North Central Division Representative
K-12 Music Teacher
MPS Online
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Erik Larson (2022-2024), Northwest Division Representative
Director of Bands/Guitar Instructor
Fairmont Junior High School
Boise, Idaho
Rob Pethel (2023-2025), Southern Division Representative
Music Educator, Audio/Video Educator, Lead Technology Teacher
 Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta, Georgia
Gwen Marie Lerch (2022-2024), Southwestern Division Representative
Director of Guitar
Santa Fe Public Schools, Capital High School & Ortiz Middle School
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Darin Au (2023-2025), Western Division Representative
Academy Faculty
Punahou School
Honolulu, Hawaii
Michael Klein (2023-2024), Member-At-Large Representative
Guitar Teacher
Green Valley High School
Henderson, Nevada
Adam Kossler (2023-2024), Member-at-Large Representative
Professor of Guitar and Area Coordinator
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
Ricardo Paz (2023-2024), Member-at-Large Representative
Guitar Teacher
Riverside Arts Academy
Riverside, California
Marth Gabel
National Executive Board Liaison
NAfME
Olathe, Kansas
Lisa Mink, Staff Liaison
Constituency Engagement Manager
NAfME
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