Background, professional training and performance history
Marty Chilla has been playing musical instruments for 35 years. He started at the age of seven with piano and baritone horn, and at the age of twelve he switched to guitar and began training as a student of Bill Harkleroad (aka Zoot Horn Rollo) who was named #62 in Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Marty continued his musical education at the University of Oregon where he also founded the group The Sugar Beets. He has continued to play guitar and write songs with them for over two decades. He has recorded many CDs with The Sugar Beets as well as other projects as both a band member and session musician. He is a full-time professional musician and began the teaching part of his music career eight years ago.
Artist statement and teaching philosophy
“My teaching style is both informative and patient, with a light dose of fun and good humor to make the journey enjoyable. I am well versed in many styles of guitar--blues, folk, rock, jazz, pop and more! I am particularly good with beginners and children, and I have developed a methodical and easy program that has been 100% successful with every one of the hundreds of students I have taught. We start playing songs and enjoying music making right away. I am a firm believer that music and self-expression is a human birthright and that playing and sharing music is one of the sweet things that makes life full and wonderful. As a teacher, i encourage my students to be gentle with themselves and know that music is an endless journey. It is good simply to be on the path, and success is a series of small successes. I look forward to sharing my love of guitar, ukelele, songwriting and theory and welcome students of all ages and abilities!"
Instruments & classes taught
Marty teaches acoustic and electric guitar, ukelele, song-writing and music theory.