Seattle Area Guitar Teachers

James Borchers

James is a composer and musician with vast experience in multiple genres of music. Many prominent contemporary music ensembles have performed his compositions and he has performed as a musician in many different settings throughout the United States and abroad.

As an active and versatile music educator he has taught numerous courses at the college level including music theory, music technology, world music, class piano, and percussion ensemble. He has also taught a variety of classes and workshops for elementary to high school age children. He is currently the instructor of music at Skagit Valley College. 

Through his teaching, James hopes to inspire students in the pursuit of an individual creative voice that will meaningfully contribute to the larger music community. 

Wesley Speight

Wes Speight, a singer/songwriter originally from Tennessee, has played many of the venues in Seattle WA and Nashville TN and has toured to places such as Vancouver BC, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisville KY, Manchester TN and Manhattan NY. His music varies widely from bluesy to tribal to acoustic rock.

Speight's music career began in his teens, dabbling at piano and drums. He bought his first guitar at 19 and "started writing bad songs right away." He has since become a bit of a musical virtuoso, adding harmonica, bass, synthesizer/keyboard, mandolin, and percussion to his list. He is also a creative film maker who aspires to compose the musical score for a film someday. Music, says Speight, "is my reason."

Speight's first album, Please EP, was released in 2008 under an independent label. Since then he has released 4 more full length albums independently: 2011's Lie & Wish, 2012's Hackneyed and 2014's Transmigration. In addition to teaching guitar, piano, and percussion, Wesley teaches songwriting through the University of Washington Experimental College.

Kyle Summers

Kyle Summers is a Seattle-based Classical Guitarist who plays everything from Baroque and Classical music to the famous pieces of the Romantic Spanish and Latin American Composers, as well as his own Compositions, Contemporary Music and Jazz Standards.

A long-time student of the University of Washington's Classical Guitar Director Michael Partington and former student of Cornish's Professor of Composition Tom Baker, he currently performs at some of the nicest wineries and restaurants in Seattle and has played countless concerts, weddings, parties, and events.

Jack Gravalis

Jack Gravalis is a guitarist, composer and arranger who began performing and teaching professionally in highschool. He has been deeply passionate about music since he first picked up the guitar at age 13. He began his musical journey as a rock and blues guitarist by studying and transcribing Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Radiohead and many others. Soon he developed a passion for a variety of other styles, composing and performing jazz, funk, hip hop, gospel, Latin, Afro-Cuban, R&B, classical and contemporary music.

Having received a Bachelor of Music in guitar performance from the world-renowned University of North Texas Division of Jazz Studies, Jack was fortunate enough to study under many great musicians including Fred Hamilton, Rich DeRosa, John Murphy, Pat Coil, Quincy Davis and Davy Mooney. He possesses a deep repertoire in a variety of styles and genres and a comprehensive understanding of music theory. In addition to performing all over the Seattle area, Jack composes music for independent films and local commercials.

Jack's approach to teaching is goal-oriented. He believes (as most musicians do) that there are many ways to find fulfillment in learning an instrument. Whether it be learning your favorite songs, putting a band together and performing or writing music of your own, Jack will tailor your education to best help you achieve your musical aspirations. He also incorporates theory, ear training and music history to provide a foundation of understanding and structure for whatever subject piques his student's interest.