Reimagining guitar education for
access, excellence, and impact.
Martha Masters is an internationally recognized music educator whose work centers on preparing the next generation of guitarists and music teachers through rigorous, inclusive, and practical instruction. As a faculty member at Arizona State University, she teaches, mentors, and leads soloists and ensembles that bridge effective teaching practice with performance excellence, while also addressing the professional realities of a life in music.
Her teaching emphasizes musicianship guided by intellectual curiosity, relaxed technique in service of clear communication, and thoughtful preparation grounded in a structured approach to study. In addition to performance-based instruction, Masters regularly teaches courses and workshops in music business and entrepreneurship. Her pedagogy foregrounds not only artistic growth and civic responsibility, but also strategies that encourage longevity, adaptability, and fulfillment in the arts, helping students develop sustainable, self-directed careers.
Drawing on more than two decades of international experience as a soloist, chamber musician, and concerto artist, Masters mentors students in teaching, conducting, program leadership, and career development. Her educational work is further informed by her leadership as President of the Guitar Foundation of America, through which she remains closely connected to the evolving needs of music educators and is committed to building sustainable pathways for guitar education in higher education and public schools.
Private Lessons
I offer a limited number of private lessons in my home studio or on Zoom. Private lessons are tailored to each student’s goals, experience level, and musical interests.
ASU GUITAR
A world-class program of study
At ASU Guitar, the studio is a space where performance, teaching, and healing through music live side by side. Students pursuing Performance, Music Learning and Teaching, and Music Therapy are part of one shared studio community, learning from one another and growing together as musicians and people. My teaching is grounded in the belief that music is a powerful form of communication, and that curiosity, collaboration, and care for one another are essential to meaningful artistic growth. For students pursuing high-level performance careers, ASU Guitar also offers rigorous, focused training designed to prepare soloists for professional careers, major competitions, and advanced graduate study, with individualized mentorship that supports excellence at the highest level.
The strength of ASU Guitar lies in its culture of shared learning and mentorship. Graduate students play a vital role as leaders and mentors—gaining invaluable teaching and leadership experience—while undergraduates benefit from their guidance and example. We meet weekly for technique class, where we build healthy, efficient playing habits together, and we come together in our large guitar orchestra, where everyone plays, listens, and learns side by side. Advanced students refine interpretive ideas and artistic depth, while less experienced players strengthen fundamentals in a supportive ensemble setting. Above all, this is a community that values generosity, curiosity, and growth. ASU Guitar is an elite and supportive studio, and we encourage students who are curious, committed, and ready to invest fully in their artistic development to explore the audition process.
Visit the ASU Guitar website for more information.
Thinking Globally
Everyone has music inside them. It is ancient, deeply human, and present across all cultures. Music communicates beyond words, evoking emotion, memory, and connection, and linking individuals and generations in profound ways. When people experience themselves as capable of communicating through music, the world is meaningfully changed, strengthening empathy, cross-cultural understanding, and providing the foundation of diplomacy.
Learning music begins with the ear and unfolds as a lifelong process of curiosity and discovery. The role of the educator is to spark that curiosity, guiding students toward meaningful communication and connection with their communities. Musical study challenges students intellectually, physically, and emotionally, fostering introspection, humility, and empathy while offering lasting benefits for the body and mind.
In my teaching, technique serves musicianship. Relaxed, efficient technique and physical awareness support expressive communication, while thoughtful structure gives students the tools to grow with confidence and clarity. I encourage students to approach challenges with curiosity rather than judgment and to keep communication, connection, and community at the center of their musical purpose.
Acting Locally
Guitar Foundations
(Grades 1–3)
Wednesdays • 4:30–5:20 PM • 18 sessions • $400 Starts Jan 7 • Two weeks off for spring break • Final class + recital May 20
If you value what traditional piano or violin lessons can offer, but your child isn’t drawn to those instruments, guitar can be a wonderful alternative. Guitar programs are expanding across Arizona’s public schools—including All-State Guitar Ensemble opportunities for high school students beginning in 2025—making it an increasingly relevant and respected path.
This step-by-step course introduces young beginners to the nylon-string (classical) guitar, building strong musical foundations while nurturing discipline, creativity, and self-expression in a way that keeps children engaged and inspired.
What we’ll build:
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Classical technique
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Reading standard music notation
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Reading chord notation
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Steady practice habits and musical independence
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Confidence, creativity, and teamwork through music-making
Important: A parent/caregiver must attend each class and take notes (Foundations Class only). Students will need at-home practice to stay on track with the class content.
If your student enjoys this experience, they will have the opportunity to maintain their work on an individual schedule over the summer and continue in Guitar Explorations in Fall 2026 (Grades 2-4, the follow-on course to Guitar Foundations).
Group guitar classes
While my performing career is rooted in classical guitar, I have taught beginning students of all ages and experience levels across many styles. Teaching—and building a musical community—is among the most rewarding parts of my work.
New to Ahwatukee, I’m excited to get to know folks in my community through small-group guitar classes in my home studio (near Mountain Pointe High School). These classes are welcoming, focused, and designed to build skills, confidence, and joy with the guitar. Class sizes are kept small to ensure a personal and supportive experience.
Don’t see a class for you? Send a message and if enough interest exists I may add one!
Ahwatukee Coffee & Chords (Adults)
Saturdays • 7:45–8:50 AM • 6 sessions • $175
Starts Jan 3 • Final class Feb 7
A Saturday-morning class for adults who want to feel more comfortable on the guitar - and make steady progress with guidance.
In this course, you'll:
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Learn technique that makes playing feel easier and more natural
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Get practical “how to practice” strategies for your own guitar journey
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Play popular music in a fun, social setting
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Explore the basics of improvisation in an approachable way
Ideal for adult beginners and returning players who value structure, steady progress, and learning alongside others. Inspired by the Guitar Foundation of America’s adult-learner programming, this course emphasizes shared musical experiences and a strong sense of community.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
I’m proud of my students! Over the years they are too many to mention and too hard to pick amongst all the many wonderful classical guitarsists that I’ve taught. But I’d like to share the work of two guitarists I’ve taught who have used our work in classical guitar technique to pursue excellence in other styles. Enjoy these videos from Ryan and Pete!
Ryan Ayers entered my studio as a freshman during my first year on faculty at Loyola Marymount University. Although he had played guitar casually in high school and could read music, he was new to reading music on the guitar. He initially enrolled as a recording arts major, taking guitar lessons simply for enjoyment—but it didn’t take long for that curiosity to grow into a deep commitment.
Ryan went on to complete a double major in guitar performance alongside his degree in recording engineering. He studied classical guitar with me, and today he draws on that technical foundation in his work as a successful acoustic guitarist and composer, creating music of remarkable depth and sensitivity.
Below we see his great storytelling and effervescent personality on display with one of his most compelling pieces, Lanterns.
Pete Bradshaw has studied continuously with me on Zoom for nearly two decades, beginning toward the end of his career as a software engineer and continuing into retirement. Over time, our lessons evolved from a focus on technique and interpretation to include arranging and composition.
This video features Pete’s most recent completed work for the harp guitar, Bishop Creek, reflecting both his long-term dedication to craft and the creative possibilities that emerge through sustained study.
I’ll close by sharing a video of my daughter as young musicians. I’m incredibly proud of all my kids journeys and of the curiosity, discipline, and love of music that have shaped them. Teaching them at various stages remains among my most meaningful teaching experiences.
Technique Videos
coming soon!
