Teaching

Testimonials

"Chandler’s ability to recognize specific traits in students and provide useful insights make him a great teacher for any student at any level."

René Izquierdo
Guitar Head at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Performing Artist and Renowned Pedagogue

"Chandler is incredibly meticulous and insightful as a guitar teacher. His level of precision, paired with his musical sensibility, is precisely what is needed to take guitar playing to the next level. As a colleague, I would happily recommend him to anybody who’s looking for a high-quality instructor."

Kevin Loh
Classical Guitarist and Educator

"Chandler is very thorough in his approach to teaching. He is careful to address each student’s weaknesses in a way that allows them to progress and improve on the instrument. His attention to detail is seldom found amongst guitar educators today."

Thommasaht Nhouyvanisvong
Classical Guitarist

"My lessons with Chandler have been eye opening. Chandler’s instructions during the lesson are clear and easy to follow. During lessons he is very supportive and patient; always finding the best way to describe what he wants to guide the student to the correct answer. In the few lessons I have had with him I have noticed a shift in how I approach practicing. He has taught me to meticulously evaluate every aspect of my playing; from left hand positioning to right hand tension. I am now more aware of what my hands do, and have better strategies for practicing."

Matthew Perez
Classical Guitarist

“Chandler is an educator who is passionate about seeing his students succeed. Through his lessons, he promotes critical thinking and ensures his students thoroughly understand the purpose and mechanics of each exercise to the level that they would be able to teach it to someone else. If you’re looking to elevate your playing, his attention to detail is a must; a quality that is unparalleled among many educators.”

Matt Mifflin
Adjunct Guitar Faculty at Carthage College
Private Student

"Chandler has aided me greatly in improving my wrist position, finger alignment, and articulation which has impacted how I play all different styles of music. As a live performer, Chandler’s advice has helped keep my muscles and body in better condition and endure longer sets. As an educator, he has helped me pinpoint and articulate habits in my students that could be adjusted to help them play their music with less strain."

Isaac Repinski
Funk R&B Jazz Guitarist and Educator
Private Student

"After only a few lessons with detailed instructions and exercises addressing guitar technique and posture, I have been able to drastically improve my guitar-induced tendinitis. There were points in time when I was only able to practice guitar ten minutes a day. I am now able to practice upwards of 3 hours a day and have been able to eliminate the need for physical therapy."

Isaiah Kitts Lewinski
Jazz Guitarist and Educator
Private Student

"Chandler is superb. I started playing guitar one year ago, adding my lessons right after Chandler worked with my son. While Chandler has an encyclopedic knowledge of classical guitar and the techniques needed for advanced students, he is also incredibly patient with me as I learn the basics correctly. He has developed a great rapport with my son and both he and I have grown immensely in our guitar journey. I could not recommend him more."

Andy Skwierawski
Ian Skwierawski
Private Students

"With Chandler’s help my foundational skills have improved continually. His insights into tone production, efficiency, and comfort are remarkable. He is able to assess the student at their level and develop a plan toward improvement. I wholeheartedly recommend him to the serious student who wants to progress with classical guitar."

Dr. Jon Pagenkopf
Private Student

"Chandler has been an excellent guitar instructor for our 12-year-old son. He is highly skilled, knowledgeable, patient, and a pleasure to work with. This is all you could want in a classical guitar instructor."

Nathan Hammons
Father of Private Student

"Chandler Dillingham is a highly accomplished classical guitarist and a gifted teacher. He draws on a deep well of experience and teaches brilliantly. He cares about his art and about his students. He understands deeply the challenges his students will confront, and he teaches with a large set of options for confronting those challenges. I know this because he has taught me virtually everything I know about classical guitar.

His relaxed conversation can be very enjoyable, while moving you toward a greater and more detailed depth of understanding — all the while being very encouraging. In my case, his encouragement has attracted me to longer and more regular practice. Chandler teaches well, in part because he’s a particularly good listener. Many of the benefits of his lessons flow from dialogue.

Chandler Dillingham comes to you with my highest recommendation."

Joseph Dailey, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Communication at Carroll College
Private Student