Beginning Guitar 1
Learn to play music you know and love!
This beginner-friendly guitar class focuses on the timeless singer-songwriter tradition of the 1970s, teaching you at least four essential chords and multiple strumming patterns that unlock hundreds of beloved songs. You’ll receive personalized feedback and practice tips from instructor Jonathan Shue, plus unique ergonomic guidance from his teaching assistant Oste (a life-size skeleton model) to help you play with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. The class welcomes total beginners and those with limited experience, with Jonathan providing individual feedback and homework appropriate to your specific level.
You’ll receive comprehensive learning materials including a PDF practice booklet for home study and access to videos and lyric/chord sheets for continued learning. To participate, you’ll need to bring a six-string guitar (acoustic or electric, nylon or steel string all welcome), and while a tuner, music stand, and medium-to-heavy picks are recommended, they’re not required. Please ensure your guitar is in playing condition before the first class—if you’re unsure, contact Jonathan ahead of time or visit Central Coast Music in Morro Bay for assistance.
Led by seasoned teaching artist Jonathan Shue, who brings over twenty years of experience and a philosophy that everyone can learn music through manageable steps and specific goals, this class reflects his belief that it’s never too late to start your musical journey. As former Education Director of Dusty Strings Music School in Seattle, Jonathan has taught guitar, songwriting, and voice since 2015, and has extensive experience teaching music and drama in schools throughout California and at the University of Washington. Please note this class is non-refundable, and after enrollment you’ll receive detailed information about class location, liability waiver, and student information forms.
Beginning Guitar 2
New chords, new strums, and new grooves
Building on the foundation of Beginning Guitar 1, this continuation course reviews core skills and concepts while introducing new and interesting chords and strum patterns found in popular songs from the 70s singer-songwriter era. You’ll develop essential intermediate skills including making fluid chord changes, singing while playing, and internalizing the music as you cultivate your own unique playing style. This class is designed for students who have completed Beginning Guitar 1 or already know at least three chords and a basic strum pattern, with Jonathan providing individual feedback and homework tailored to your specific level.
You’ll receive comprehensive learning materials including a PDF practice booklet for home study and access to videos and lyric/chord sheets for continued development. To participate, you’ll need to bring a six-string guitar (acoustic or electric, nylon or steel string all welcome), and while a tuner, music stand, and medium-to-heavy picks are recommended, they’re not required. Please ensure your guitar is in playing condition before the first class—if you’re unsure, contact Jonathan ahead of time or visit Central Coast Music in Morro Bay for assistance.
Led by experienced teaching artist Jonathan Shue, who brings over twenty years of experience and believes that everyone can learn music through manageable steps and specific goals, this class reflects his philosophy that it’s never too late to develop your musical abilities. Jonathan has taught music and drama throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and at the University of Washington, and as former Education Director of Dusty Strings Music School, he has taught guitar, songwriting, and voice since 2015. Please note this class is non-refundable, and after enrollment you’ll receive detailed information about class location, liability waiver, and student information forms.
Beginning Ukulele 1
Discover the Joy of Ukulele in Just Four Weeks
Jump into the world of music with this beginner-friendly ukulele course that gets you playing from day one. Known affectionately as “the jumping flea,” the ukulele is your gateway to mastering essential chords and strumming patterns that will unlock hundreds of beloved songs from artists like the Beatles, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, and other golden era classics. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have dabbled with music before, this welcoming class requires no prior musical experience and provides everything you need to start your musical journey.
You’ll receive personalized feedback and practice tips designed to accelerate your learning. What makes this class truly special is the assistance of Oste, Jonathan’s life-size human skeleton model, who helps demonstrate proper playing techniques with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. Through weekly class meetings, you’ll learn core concepts while receiving a practice booklet for home study, plus individualized feedback and homework tailored to your specific skill level and progress.
By the course’s end, you’ll have developed strong practice habits and the fundamental skills necessary to continue your musical growth and play alongside others. All you need to bring is a working four-string ukulele (soprano, concert, or tenor), basic note-taking materials, and optionally a smartphone or recording device to capture demonstrations. The course includes a comprehensive PDF practice booklet and access to instructional videos and chord sheets, setting you up for continued success with this delightful instrument.
Beginning Ukulele 2
More chords, more strums, more fun
A continuation of Beginning Ukulele 1, you’ll review core skills and concepts while learning new and interesting chords and strum patterns found in popular songs from the 70s singer-songwriter era. You’ll also receive guidance on making fluid chord changes, singing while playing, and internalizing the music as you develop your own playing style.
Drop-In Ukulele
Informal, Interactive Ukulele Meetup
Come join Jonathan on Thursday evenings for an informal, interactive ukulele meetup that combines playing and practicing songs with instruction. In this supportive environment, you can ask questions related to ukulele, music, and the Alexander Technique, bring a song suggestion, ask for help practicing, and enjoy playing and singing music together. You can always expect to learn at least one new song, if not a new chord, strum, or bit of musical knowledge.
Voice & Singing 1
Discover the most authentic voice there is—your own!
For all levels. In this unique group voice and singing class, you’ll learn to access the most authentic voice there is—your own! Through Linklater- and Alexander Technique-based voice work, you’ll discover how the voice works and how to sing with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. You’ll learn to connect your breathing with your voice, allowing you to resonate louder and more clearly without extra effort, increase your breathing capacity for holding longer notes, and improve pitch accuracy.
Each week, we’ll sing several short, easy songs together, including rounds and songs in different languages, so we can experience the joy of singing together. Jonathan’s full-size human skeleton model, Oste, will also make an appearance, revealing how voice and singing are a whole-body activity and that our very bones are the source of our voice.
Total beginners to singing and those with experience are welcome. You’ll receive a booklet for home practice and Jonathan will teach and demonstrate core concepts in the weekly class meetings. You’ll also receive individual feedback and homework appropriate to your level.
Songwriting 1
Translate your ideas to the page and stage
Discover the wonderful world of songwriting in this productive and inspirational group class. Each week, we’ll look at a different song and analyze its form, content, and effectiveness. We’ll explore the “tactile” components of songwriting you can use. We’ll devote time in-class to writing exercises. And we’ll all share, as equals, our progress on an original song, culminating in an in-class performance on the final day.
The spirit of this class is like a science laboratory. We’ll examine all songs – our own and those by established songwriters – through observation and objectivity. We’ll run experiments, gather our findings, and revise, revise, revise. Critics were not hired to work in this laboratory so we will ask them to go get a cup of coffee and tell them we’ll catch up with them later.
Songwriters are people who:
- Have something to say
- Are drawn to poetry and lyrics
- Don’t necessarily play a musical instrument
- Don’t necessarily have “melodic ideas”
- Have insecurities like the rest of us
- Want to learn.
You’ll learn strategies for writing every day, observing daily life, how to stop judging yourself, and become more open to collaboration and receiving feedback.
Total beginners and those with a little experience are welcome. You’ll receive a booklet for home practice and Jonathan will teach and demonstrate core concepts in the weekly class meetings. You’ll also receive individual feedback and homework appropriate to your level.
Workshop
How to Practice
Change your understanding of what it means to practice your instrument
Transform your musical practice from frustrating to fulfilling with this creative workshop designed to help you create an efficient, enjoyable, and personalized practice routine. Using Jonathan’s engaging “So That” exercise, you’ll clarify your overall musical goals and break them down into achievable mini-objectives that give every practice session clear purpose and direction. You’ll learn essential skills including effective warm-up exercises, how to optimize your practice environment, and strategies for finding ongoing inspiration to keep your musical journey exciting and rewarding.
This workshop welcomes all instruments and skill levels, from beginners to advanced players looking to refine their approach. Guitar, ukulele, mandolin, and banjo players should know at least three chords, while fiddle, piano, and flute/pennywhistle players should be able to play a simple tune, and bodhrán or cajón players should know basic rhythms. You’ll need to bring your instrument, something to take notes, and a recording device like a smartphone, and you’ll receive valuable handouts and resources to maintain momentum on your musical journey long after the workshop ends.
The workshop features Jonathan’s infamous teaching assistant, Oste—a full-size human skeleton model who demonstrates how small physical adjustments can help you play and sing with less effort and maximum efficiency. Led by teaching artist Jonathan Shue, who brings over twenty years of experience and believes that everyone can learn music through manageable steps and specific goals, this workshop reflects his philosophy developed through extensive teaching throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, at the University of Washington (where he studied Integrative Alexander Technique), and as former Education Director of Dusty Strings Music School, where he has taught guitar, songwriting, and voice since 2015.
Workshop
Songwriter’s Stage Craft
Learn how to perform your original songs in public
Transform your original songs into captivating live performances in this hands-on 2-hour workshop. Perfect for first-time open mic performers or seasoned songwriters seeking enhanced stage presence, you’ll master essential skills for confident performing. Learn venue preparation, equipment handling, and mental techniques to overcome performance anxiety while creating immersive audience experiences that turn casual listeners into devoted fans!
In this hands-on 2-hour workshop, songwriters will discover how to transform their original compositions into captivating live performances. Whether you’re preparing for your first open mic or looking to enhance your stage presence as a solo performer, this session will equip you with the essential skills to perform with confidence and ease. You’ll learn how to create an immersive experience for your audience that elevates your songs and turns listeners into engaged fans who truly connect with your music.
The workshop covers both the practical and psychological aspects of live performance, including venue preparation strategies, equipment familiarity, and mental preparation techniques that help ease performance anxiety. You’ll learn how to handle unexpected situations with grace, how to interact with venue staff and sound engineers, and how to prepare for different types of performances, whether an open mic, showcase, opening bill, audition, or full solo set. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a clear roadmap for approaching any performance opportunity with the confidence and preparation needed to share your music authentically and powerfully.