Tara Green 2:47am Last Sunday I had my second guitar lesson with Gary. It was great! We worked on strumming and switching chords.Gary was very patient with me. I learned a lot. And had a lot of fun in the process. Gary you Rock!!

Yesterday I had a zoom lesson with Gary. It was great! Gary was able to tell me where my weaknesses were and my strengths. He gave me helpful advice like taking my chord changes into small chunks at a time till I have them all smooth. Make sure I curve my fingers and have them at a 90 degree angle. And I was using the wrong pick! I can’t wait to see how much I progress by the time I meet Gary again. Thanks Gary for all your help and support.

One of the best parts of G.D.G.A. is learning directly from our world-class instructors. We have a team of experienced mentors, each specializing in different areas of music. Here’s who you’ll be learning from and can interact with: - Gary Dranow (Guitar – Blues/Rock): Gary is the founder of G.D.G.A. and a seasoned blues-rock guitarist from Park City. He’s the driving force behind this academy’s vision. With decades of musical experience (both on stage and in the studio), Gary is here to mentor you through guitar fundamentals and beyond. He’s passionate about helping students find their own sound and progress confidently. Don’t hesitate to ask Gary about blues phrasing, classic rock riffs, or even music career advice – he’s a treasure trove of knowledge and excited to support your growth. - Chris Zoupa (Guitar – Rock/Metal/Blues): Chris is our lead guitar instructor, a world-class artist from Melbourne known for his fiery technique and engaging teaching. He specializes in Blues, Rock, Metal, and even Bass guitar, so you’ll see his influence across those genre courses. Expect to learn soulful blues bends, crunchy rock riffs, and shredding metal solos from Chris. He has a knack for breaking down complex techniques into achievable steps. If you’re working on one of Chris’s riffs or lessons and need help, tag him in the Community – he’s super friendly and loves to see students putting in the effort! - Larry Dvoskin (Songwriting & Production): Larry is our songwriting and production guru. He’s an industry veteran and was an NYU Professor of Songwriting for 20 years. Larry has written and produced songs with top artists (and even earned multiple awards/nominations in his career). In G.D.G.A., Larry will teach you how to craft songs that breathe and connect with. from songwriting fundamentals and lyric writing, to arranging music and producing tracks. His lessons and tips will help you turn your musical ideas into polished songs. Have a half-finished song or writer’s block? Larry’s your go-to mentor; you can reach out in the community for feedback or advice on songwriting challenges. - Klym Apalkov (Vocals & Composition): Klym is our vocal coach and composition expert. He holds a Master’s in Composition from the University of, and brings a deep understanding of music theory and structure. Klym will help expand your melodic and structural power, which means improving your songwriting composition, understanding how songs are built, and, of course, developing your voice as an instrument. His vocal training focuses on technique, control, and expanding your range (all while keeping your unique style). Klym’s international perspective and classical training will give you a well-rounded approach to mastering melodies. Feel free to ask him theory questions or for feedback on your original pieces – he loves helping members grow in both creativity and technique. - Malena Marcase (Vocals and Theory 101): Malena is our dedicated vocals instructor and an accomplished singer-songwriter. Hailing from Kansas City, Malena has both real-world performance experience and academic chops – she earned a Master’s degree in Contemporary Performance & Production from Berklee College. In the community, Malena is here to help you unlock your vocal potential. Whether you’re a beginner learning to find your pitch or an experienced singer looking to add power and emotion, Malena’s lessons will guide you. She specializes in contemporary vocal techniques, performance coaching, and even songwriting from a vocalist’s perspective. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Malena for tips on vocal warm-ups, breathing, stage confidence, or any singing challenges you face. She’s excited to help you become a more confident and expressive singer! - Jason Jones (Drums & Audio Engineering): Jason is our drumming and audio engineering instructor. He’s an experienced percussionist and studio engineer who will be leading our rhythm section. (Content coming very soon!) Jason will teach you everything from fundamental drum patterns and techniques to recording and mixing tracks. As we roll out the drumming and recording lessons, Jason will also be available in the community to answer your questions about drum gear, recording software, mixing tricks, and more. If you’re into beat-making, home recording, or improving your timing, keep an eye out for Jason’s posts and upcoming course modules. He’s here to make sure our members not only play well but also sound great on recordings.