Learn Folk, Blues, Country & More

From backyard jams to stage performances, folk instruments like ukulele, banjo, harmonica, and mandolin are fun, versatile, and approachable for all ages. At Prestige Music Academy, our instructors teach folk, blues, country, rock-n-roll, giving you a well-rounded music experience.

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Beginner Ukulele, Banjo, harmonica & Mandolin Lessons

Starting an instrument has never been easier. Our beginner lessons cover:

  • How to hold and tune your instrument

  • Basic chords, strumming, and picking patterns

  • Playing simple melodies and folk tunes

  • Reading tablature and basic notation

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Lessons for All Ages

Our folk instrument program is open to:

  • Kids (ages 5–12): Ukulele is an easy and fun first instrument for small hands

  • Teens: Explore folk, bluegrass, or pop favorites

  • Adults & Retirees: Learn for personal enjoyment or to play in a group

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Intermediate & Advanced Training

For students ready to go further, our lessons expand into:

  • Fingerpicking and advanced strumming techniques

  • Improvisation and soloing

  • Playing with other musicians in ensembles or bands

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Performance Opportunities

Students can share their progress through:

  • Biannual studio recitals for friends and family

  • Coming soon: select instructors will offer collaborative music “jam” opportunities

Meet Our Folk Instrument Instructors

Our ukulele, banjo, and mandolin instructors are warm, professional musicians with experience performing and teaching in a wide variety of styles.

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Ashlie

Piano - Ukulele - Vocal - Band Instruments - Drums

Ashlie's skills include being a diction coach, teaching singing lessons in all styles of music from musical theatre to opera, teaching piano, ukulele, meditation, singing bowls, monochord native flutes, as well as folk and native drumming, and improvisation. Ashlie enjoys getting to know her students and finding what works well to reach each individual in their musical journey.

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Gabe

Bass Guitar - Guitar - Percussion - Drums - Ukulele

Gabe found his love for music at a young age when he discovered the bass guitar. Now, he has been professionally studying, performing and teaching for nearly 2 decades. Although his personal favorite is the bass guitar, he also enjoys the unique sounds of the guitar and drums. Gabe is continuously working to improve his own musical skills and knowledge. In his spare time, he enjoys researching new musical technologies and gigging with various local bands including Sun Speaker and The Hot House Orchids. Specializing in everything from big band, jazz, blues, soul and rock, Gabe does his best to spread an appreciation and love for music within his local community.

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Traz

Guitar

Traz has been playing guitar since the age of 4 and has played in many bands in different genres for over a decade. He has also toured the U.S. and Europe in rock and metal bands. He was lucky enough to be able to study music at Musicians Institute as well as Berklee.

In 2020, Traz decided to get into teaching and discovered that he really enjoyed it and developed a passion for teaching guitar. He loves teaching music theory and songwriting in all kinds of styles, especially in the rock and metal genres, from simple rock to the extremely technical metal. His teaching philosophy is to make things more simplified and easier to understand and to help students grow and become better players quicker.

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Dan

Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo and Mandolin

Dan started his life-long music career with piano lessons at age 8. He switched to acoustic and electric guitar at 13 and he ultimately picked up electric bass at age 15. He sang in his high school choir and took private vocal lessons. Dan pursued his music studies at Drake University, where he earned his B.A. Degree, and continued his music studies at Mesa Community College. He has studied both classical music theory and jazz. He was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he is currently a local Phoenix Coordinator for Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and he teaches songwriting lessons. Dan’s annual trips to Nashville have inspired him to learn banjo and mandolin. He teaches multiple string instruments, including guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, mandolin. He also teaches piano, and folk and blues harmonica. Dan currently plays bass with a local rock and country band, and he also plays bass on a worship team in Goodyear. Dan’s studies in Child Psychology and Social Psychology make him uniquely qualified to teach young students and students of all ages.

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Randy

(Information coming soon)

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Schedule Your Free 30-Minute Lesson

Every new student gets a complimentary, no-pressure lesson. It’s a great way to meet your instructor, experience the space, and see why families choose Prestige.

Have a question or ready to book? Fill out the form and we’ll get back to you quickly.

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Start Playing Today

Whether it’s strumming around the campfire, joining a bluegrass jam, or mastering fingerstyle solos, Prestige Music Academy helps you learn in a fun, structured way.

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