Jack's Guitar Garage

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Jack Shanahan - owner of Jack’s Guitar Garage - has been teaching guitar for over 15 years. He is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and musician.

Before opening his own studio, Jack ran a business teaching lessons privately and as an instructor at other music shops. During that time, his experiences allowed him to develop what he believed was the ideal combination of teaching style, collaboration, and curriculum for beginning guitar players.

When Jack made the decision to open his own studio, he committed himself to three principals. One was to write his own curriculum that would use the same style and familiar learning patterns throughout each level of competency. The main goal of this curriculum was to teach all students the language of music, so they would be able to transition to playing new instruments or in unfamiliar ensembles. This goal has become the core of the teaching and learning experience that students receive at the Garage.

The second principal was to develop a team of teachers who would meet regularly, work together on projects, and use a similar teaching method to ease the transition from one level to the next. The instructors at Jack’s Guitar Garage not only have a solid working relationship, but each instructor is also committed to the continuous improvement of the curriculum and all students who learn at the Garage.

The third principal was to integrate musical experiences into his teaching program. Jack strongly believes that music is a representation of oneself. It cultivates our sense of expression, imagination and creativity.  Therefore, he wanted to offer each of his students the opportunity to experience all that music has to offer. This led Jack to create regular opportunities for students to play in groups, form bands, and have live performance experiences.

With these principals in place, Jack’s Guitar Garage opened its doors in July of 2009. Today he has a team of five instructors, one large performance/group lesson room and two semi-private/private lesson rooms.  His store boasts an attractive display of electric, bass, acoustic and ¾ size guitars, as well as an impressive inventory of accessories, lesson books, and sheet music.

Student enrollment increases regularly, and his Rock Band Camp is a huge success. Guitar students of all levels can be found at the Garage. Jack’s high expectations, tempered by an ever-present sense of humor, make him popular with all his students and their parents.

Jack’s Guitar Garage also strives to be an asset to the community. Since its inception, the Garage has been a resource that contributes and participates in community activities; a true asset to the Town of Northborough and surrounding areas!