Meet Ricardo Shedden PhD: Winchester Stage Music Center Guitar Teacher

Rik has a long history with the guitar, beginning with lessons at age ten and followed by many years of exploring, learning and collaborating. A passionate and natural-born teacher, he has studied Jazz Performance at Capilano University BC and has been teaching guitar for 17 years.

In addition to my formal music education, I have a doctorate from the ANU, and teacher training in language acquisition and in university level social sciences.

Over the years I’ve learned that good teaching comes not just from successfully getting across lesson content, but from focusing attention on students and their learning experience. 

My own experience has taught me that everyone learns at a different pace, that people absorb information in different ways, that motivation levels can fluctuate week to week, and that life in the real world of school, family, friends and work often impinges on practice time. I’ve always found it helpful to put myself in the learner’s shoes, to remember back when I was learning a new set of chords or transcribing a solo. It can be challenging. Patience and continual encouragement works wonders.

I love teaching kids, and work well with young learners and adults. I teach guitar, slide guitar and bass guitar, with an emphasis on entry-level students. I have taken many students, young and not so young, to advanced levels. For me the real satisfaction in teaching is not just in helping students achieve a sense of accomplishment on the guitar; it is in seeing their skill-set and self-confidence grow over time.

At Stage Music Center, we guarantee: 

• A tailored music education for your age, level & learning style.

• Weekly one to one lessons with experienced teachers.

• Possibilities to showcase your progress at recitals.

• A safe learning environment.