I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Guitar Performance from Berklee College of Music, and have performed in long-running Queen and David Bowie tribute bands, the Broadway circuit in Nashville, and a long run of rock, blues, pop, and wedding bands.
But over time, I found that some of the most rewarding work wasn’t on stage—it was helping other people reach their own music goals.
I've been teaching for over 20 years at places like Guitar Center, Sam Ash Music, Music & Arts, as well as independent studios, and online.
I also earned a master's degree in Communication from Purdue University, where I was introduced to the latest research on effective instruction and how adults acquire new skills.
I've taught students ranging from complete beginners to experienced players returning to the instrument after years away.
But the students I think about most are the adults who always meant to learn but never got started — or who tried once and walked away frustrated.
A good teacher doesn’t just teach you to play songs — they help you finally become the guitar player you've always wanted to be.
Meeting my guitar idol, Brian May of Queen
Vin Amorando — Guitar Instructor
Teaching Philosophy & Method
Guitar is one of the most versatile instruments in the world. It sits at the heart of blues, rock, jazz, country, folk, and more. Each style requires its own techniques and musical language, but the fundamentals across genres remain the same.
My approach is to build that foundation, while incorporating the music you want to play as early and as often as possible.
You'll progress faster, enjoy the lessons more, and retain what you learn more easily — which is exactly what current research on adult learning tells us to expect when instruction is tied to music you actually care about.
We'll use tools that are easy to follow, like tablature, chord diagrams, and simple strumming patterns, so we can get you playing music you love and building your skills before introducing more advanced concepts.
My goal is simple: to help my students become confident guitar players for life — whether they want to perform on stage, record their own music, or simply play for their own enjoyment.
Ziggy Stardust - Tribute to David Bowie
Sporting a blonde wig for our early David Bowie tribute show :)
Somebody To Love - Under Pressure
Performing with a Queen tribute band in Santa Ana, CA
Show Must Go On - Under Pressure
Queen tribute w/ special guest vocalist Chris Thompson from Mannfred Mann's Earth Band ("Blinded By The Light")
Yes, that's me in the black wig!
Your lessons are all about getting you to play the music you love, but you want to make sure the person you're trusting to teach you can 'walk the walk' himself, right?
So here are a few clips from various bands and session I've done over the years.
Performance Clips
Pride & Joy - Chester & The Blue Ticks
Playing the Stevie Ray Vaughan classic in my blues rock cover band in Nashville, TN
Some Days You Gotta Dance - Dixie Chicks
Playing some modern country guitar in a Nashville, TN cover band.
Playing some modern country guitar in a Nashville, TN cover band.
Another Brick In The Wall (pt 2) (solo)
One of the most iconic classic rock solos of all time.
Cause We've Ended As Lovers (solo)
One of the solos I heard as a kid that made me want to play guitar in the first place. Masterpiece by the legendary Jeff Beck.