Mark Bouras Guitar Lessons Academy

Mark is incredible: not only is he highly skilled and very technically proficient in guitar, but he’s also a really nice guy to boot! My playing and discipline for practicing has improved after just a few months of lessons with him. He not only teaches you music you want to learn, but he also deconstructs each song and you learn how cords and scales are combined to make music.
He gives you many different exercises to improve technique and is always willing to spend time on a specific practice routine to help you improve. He can work on a time to best fit your schedule, he’s very flexible, and he can play any style of guitar exceptionally well, a true professional. More importantly, he can teach you almost anything you want to learn about the instrument, from setting up your guitar to playing highly intricate pieces. Definitely recommend him for anyone wanting to learn to play or someone who’s been playing for many years and wants to improve!

I hired Mark for the last 4 months for my 13 year old son, and he is absolutely an amazing guitar instructor. He is extremely kind and professional. He has the patience, skills, demeanor, and knowledge to teach any genre of music on the guitar. My son looks forward to his lessons every week, and I have seen such a difference in my son’s skills since he has been working with Mark. I highly recommend MARK!!!

I’ve been playing guitar for over 15 years and have been taking lessons from Mark now for 6 months. He’s elevated my playing ability significantly. Very easy going and easy to work with. From beginner to advanced– Mark can help you reach your goals. Have a specific song you want to learn? Mark can tab it out for you in minutes, by ear. Pretty amazing. I highly recommend him! John

I’ve been taking guitar lessons from Mark for a number of months now and I can’t recommend him highly enough. I grew up playing blues guitar off and on, but I wanted to get back into playing full-​time. Mark is extremely knowledgeable in a number of different genres and playing styles, from hard rock to blues and classical with a bit of theory thrown in. He’s also incredibly patient and willing to work through original material or help you learn a new song on the fly. Not to mention he’s just a really great guy. If you’re just starting out or if you’ve been playing for a number of years, Mark can help you achieve your goals as a musician.

I am a wedding planner and booked Mark for one of my August weddings and he was amazing! He played for the cocktail hour and made it truly elegant with his beautiful music. He is definitely my go-​to guitarist from now on. Thank you, Mark for your beautiful music and for being so wonderful to work with! Can’t wait for our next event together! I highly recommend booking Mark for your event!

Mark is an excellent and laid back teacher. He wants you to learn what you love so he’s willing to dive into whatever styles you enjoy… and he’s well versed enough to teach you whatever you may be interested in. I would definitely recommend giving Mark a try no matter level you’re at.

If you are looking for a guitar teacher Mark is your man. Mark has been instructing two of my children since Elementary school. They are now in High School. Mark is incredibly talented and has an extensive musical background. He is a natural teacher and knows how to relate to different age groups. He has patience, is kind and respectful, offers encouragement, has a flexible schedule, and finally as a mom who did not like the idea of inviting a stranger into my home – is completely trustworthy. He is now available to teach via skype, which becomes very handy when the kids become much busier in High School. I am the mom of two kids who enjoy and play electric and acoustic guitar (all genres) with confidence. They have a lifelong appreciation for playing music, and a wonderful hobby. My house is always filled with music :) We are all indebted to Mark for his wonderful ability as a teacher. I’ve always thought that when the kids are in college, he can start teaching me. :)

I’ve had a guitar since high school but dropped out of lessons after just a few months. 12 years later, I’ve still got the guitar, but I never learned to play it.
I decided to try lessons again because I wanted to have a fun, relaxing post-​work activity that wasn’t watching TV all night — plus I hadn’t been very successful at trying to teach it to myself for the past decade.
Lessons with Mark are fun and relaxing, but he still helps push you just enough to make it rewarding as well. The perfect combination.
And of course, since he’s an expert in many different styles, he can teach you whatever you want. I decided to branch out and focus on classical, and he helps me get through the book (The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method), while also teaching music theory, sight reading, ear training and memorization skills.
But on weeks when I know I’ll be too busy to practice, we just go through a super simple Beatles song and have fun listening to the song, playing it and singing.
it’s been such a joy to learn new things and feel a sense of accomplishment with guitar, and I would absolutely recommend him to anyone who wanted to learn how to play.

Mark gives my 12-​year old son private lessons. He is so convenient and flexible with our schedule. My son had taken 24 weeks of group lessons and was then ready for privates. He was hesitant to do this, perhaps a bit shy. However, Mark has been so great for him. He has been taking private lessons every other week since January 2014. We couldn’t be happier. Even on a busy sports day, when tired and hungry, my son looks forward to his lessons with Mark. He has also learned a lot as Mark delivers instruction well and taps into my son’s rock and roll interests.

I came to Mark with some experience in playing bass and guitar. He was very knowledgable with both and taught me a variety of new techniques. I would recommend Mark for all skill levels, novice to professional as well as a list of different styles. Apparently he teaches Spanish Flamenco as well, which I want to venture into sooner rather than later!

A guitar teacher was something I’d been putting off too long. I’d been playing for years, self taught and I needed help. Mark’s great. He was able to identify the help I needed and vastly improved my abilities in a few short meetings. He’s very reasonable, patient with my bumbling fingers and he can play ANYTHING, so every month I buy a new package and continue on. I’m only getting better.

Mark is a professional who generously imparts his vast knowledge of music theory and practice with an enthusiasm that is infectious. I’ve been studying classical, acoustic and rock guitar with him for 11 months. I can now read music and play! I’ve applied myself, I practice everyday and I can honestly say that it is the coolest experience I’ve ever had. I always wished I could pick up a guitar a play a song, any song, and never imagined it possible especially at 50 years old! Were it not for Mark, his systematic approach to teaching, his patience and extensive knowledge, it would not have been possible. He is a gem and I am so very pleased that he is part of my guitar journey. I highly recommend his services.

Mark has been providing guitar instruction and performance preparation for my two boys (currently high school senior and freshman) for over 6 years. Mark brings his unique musical and artistic approach to each lesson. He’s patient, calm and reassuring, while creating high expectations that keep my boys engaged and challenged. Mark’s depth of training, education and performance experience make him an ideal instructor no matter your age, skill level, or your musical taste.
Lessons in our home usually progress through quite a few musical genres including classical, Christian rock, country, pop, classical rock and heavy metal. Maybe even a little hip hop if they can find the guitar riffs buried within. Regardless of the type of music, Mark focuses on the right level of technical guitar skill development and artistic interpretation for the student.
Mark has also provided his performance services for a few of our family events. And we’ve attended a few of his live performances. The boy can play!
Can’t say enough about his teaching and playing ability. He’s got all the right instruction skills and presents himself in a very professional and likable manner. Lessons and skills aside, the most important gift he has given to us is his joy for music. I sincerely thank him for instilling that on my boy’s hearts.

Mark Bouras is an exceptional guitar teacher, and teacher — period. I came to him with virtually no experience, and he found a way to not only teach me ‘the basics’ but also get me started on the guitar covers I’d been fantasizing about for 10 yrs. I’d recommend him to anyone at any skill level. Mark allows music to feel the way it should: accessible, as challenging as you’d like (the sky’s the limit with him) and fun.
Also he plays like a God.

Mark is an amazing player and a very good teacher. He’s proficient in multiple styles and his approach emphasizes both technique and performance. After only a few lessons I learned how to break out of my habits and feel greater confidence playing in all positions of the neck. I feel that ultimately this will lead to more creativity and versatility in my playing.

I found Mark because I wanted to learn to play heavy metal, but as soon as he sits down and starts fingerpicking, you realize the depth of this teacher’s skills. Mark knows more about guitar than anyone I have ever met. He can play every style of guitar you can imagine… and play it extremely well.
His teaching style is relaxed and you do not feel pressured as though someone is looking over your shoulder making sure you do everything right. He seems to introduce a new technique at exactly the right time and everything starts to click.
I can’t recommend Mark highly enough. You rock!!!

Mark is an incredible guitar teacher, he taught me how to play chords and songs. He is located very close to me in West Hollywood which is convenient. I’ve been taking guitar lessons for over a year now, and he is very patient with me which I appreciate. I’ve been learning mostly rock songs but I hope I can someday get good enough to play classical guitar music. My brother has also hired him to play guitar solos for special events and at his wedding. Highly recommended!

I’ve been taking guitar lessons with Mark for 5 months now and am loving it. I look forward to every week. Mark is an incredible teacher! My goal has been to learn my favorite rock songs, and Mark has broken down the chords for songs from the Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, and Hole. Mark breaks down the instruction, keeping it simple for me. I like that he knows my goals and shows me how to accomplish them. He lets me take video with my phone so I can easily remember what I learned during the lesson so that I can practice what I learned throughout the week. Right now I have an electric guitar, but when I get better I’m thinking about getting an acoustic so I can learn spanish guitar. Mark is an expert at spanish-​flamenco and classical guitar, so it would be really cool to learn that too one day. I know Mark has a variety of students from all ages from kids in grade school to adults with all different goals from metal to Jimi Hendrix and I know he will set you up right. I met a few of his other students at a recent gig of his and we all agreed that Mark is an outstanding teacher and an incredible musician. We are all really grateful to him for sharing all of his knowledge with us.