Jack has been teaching at Linton-Milano since 1982. Before that, he toured for eight years in the rock bands Axsent and Listen. Before touring, he taught at Rossi Music in Chicago for eight years. He has been playing locally with the classic rock band, Attitude Cat, for over 14 years. Jack also plays classical guitar for weddings and corporate functions.

His styles include rock, classical, jazz, blues, bluegrass (banjo and mandolin). Jack maintains over 70 students a week.

Norris has been teaching at Linton-Milano Music since 1976. He teaches classic rock, punk, heavy metal, classical bass, R & B, pop and slap. He has recording studio experience and stage experience, and has played in musical groups for 40 years – bands of all types: rock, country, standard and traditional casual bands. Norris also has experience with all brands of guitars, amps and effects processors.

Norris holds recitals 3 times a year and puts students into groups that perform for benefits and fund raisers throughout the Phoenix area. His students also record special events at local recording studios.

Norris is a member of the Musicians Union, and the Arizona Songwriters Guild.

Greg has been playing the guitar since 1981. He completed 3 semesters of music studies at the University of Maine and several years of self study, performance, and private lessons. His styles include Rock, Metal, Country, Classical, Flamenco and Jazz.

Greg teaches technique, theory, composition, reading and improvisation.

Matthew Higuera
Guitar

Matthew has over 20 years of guitar playing experience. He has been performing and teaching for over 10 years. Matthew has also been an active member of the Phoenix Blues community and independent music scene.

As a studio musician, Matthew has worked in a variety of styles - from Hip Hop to film scores.

Chad has been playing the guitar and bass guitar for 11 years and has taught at Linton Milano Music for 3 years. He has also taught at various Mesa schools and other studios in the Phoenix area. He completed 2 years of guitar and music studies at Mesa Community College and has been teaching guitar lessons for 6 years.

Chad has 10 years of guitar and bass performance experience with various groups from around the valley and currently writes and plays lead guitar in a local original band (The Dorsets). As a member of The Dorsets, Chad has had the opportunity to share the stage with notable acts such as 3 Doors Down, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Firefall and the All American Rejects. The Dorsets have also toured the western United States and participated in various music festivals.

Chad has taken private lessons for several years, and maintains 50 students or more each week. He encourages students to enhance their playing skills by holding recitals each year and having his students participate in Linton Milano’s Annual Awards Music Festival. Chad is also often hired to do studio recordings in various locations around the valley. His teaching focus is on Rock, Funk, Blues, Country, and Folk music. While teaching, he likes to concentrate on music theory, building repertoire, performance skills, playing by ear, music reading, technique, improvisation, and most of all just having a blast playing the guitar!

Chad knows each of his students by name and does everything he can to ensure them a comfortable, fun, and productive lesson each week. He feels that guitar practice should not feel like homework and he does everything he can so that after each lesson students can’t wait to get home and jam!

Mike has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance and another in Music Education from Arizona State University. He has played for several radio jingles, performed several concerts with the Phoenix Symphony and played for more than a dozen national touring Broadway shows including The Lion King, Chicago and High School Musical. Mike has been a guitar clinician for AAJE and has served as an adjudicator for AMEA in jazz band competitions and for All-State tryouts. He also has 7 years of experience as a band director and guitar teacher in the public school system. He is currently performing throughout the valley as a free lance guitarist.
Mike has taught privately for more than 12 years. Years of performing in groups of all styles (jazz /funk /rock /country /classical /blues) helps him guide his students through whatever styles they wish to explore. Beyond teaching music theory, reading and technique, Mike also places a strong emphasis on playing by ear, improvisation and above all having a great time while learning.

Yes, he’s back! Mark DeAngelis taught before at Milano Music from 1970 to 1980. Mark started his music career at the age of ten and within two years he was playing guitar in bands and performing at local dances in the midwest. By the time he was fourteen, he had gained a tremendous amount of musical knowledge and showmanship experience while learning to play country & western , rock n’ roll, jazz, and rhythm and blues styles.
Mark’s performance highlights include: lead guitarist and vocals in “Upper Berth” based out of Tempe, Arizona (late 60’s rock band); lead guitarist and vocals in “Gibraltar” based out of Phoenix, Arizona (70’s rock & country band). In 1974 Mark performed with “The Lawrence Welk Road Show” which consisted of some of the celebrities who were regulars on the television series including Bob Ralston and Annaconi. Mark backed up Annaconi on guitar as she sang to a sold out crowd in Mesa.
Mark has a Masters Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in visual impairment and severe and profound children. He continues his musicianship today as a songwriter with copyrighted music and lyrics, recording studio experience, and over 30 years of teaching. Mark is a member of the Arizona Educators Association (AEA) and the National Educators Association (NEA).

I am Valerie Carroll and I absolutely love music and I especially enjoy teaching!! I have taught for 30 years and my students mean a great deal to me! I teach the following: Voice, Piano, Flute, Trombone, Bassoon, Beginning guitar, and specialize in singing while playing the piano or guitar which is so much fun to do!
I believe in making sure the basics are well learned so your time and money is not being wasted. I also believe in making lesson time fun while accomplishing so much from start to finish. It's important to not waste precious time. I also have always gotten along great with EVERY student.
Performing is also important and so much fun! A great self esteem builder for certain! Along with recitals we perform at several malls around the valley.
I'm so grateful that Linton-Milano's Music has chosen me to be one of their teachers and I hope you will keep me in mind when signing up for lessons. We WILL have a great time while learning so much! MUSIC is a wonderful gift!

Adam has studied the guitar for eleven years, starting with lessons through Linton-Milano from our very own James Soll. Adam has progressed, completing five semesters of guitar based theory, composition, and improvisation while attending the school of music at Mesa Community College. He has played in a handful of musical acts locally for the past seven years. Adam gigs most often in the local rock group, The Dorsets, which he writes and plays guitar for. The Dorsets have shared the stage with notable acts such as 3 Doors Down, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, and the All American Rejects. Adam has four years guitar and bass teaching experience. His focus areas include Rock and Rhythm & Blues, Country, Folk, Funk, and Blues.

Andrew Hamilton
Bass, Double Bass, Guitar, Cello

Andrew Hamilton started playing music at a very early age. His first instruments were baritone ukulele and cello and later he added classical guitar and double bass. He studied at the Blair Academy Preparatory School of Music under the tutelage of John Johns and John Knowles. He graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music and played double bass with the Youngstown Symphony and the Nashville Symphony. During that time he received a full scholarship to attend the Aspen Summer Music Festival.

After a season in Nashville, Andrew moved to Phoenix where he played with the Phoenix Symphony and was principal bassist with the Mesa Symphony. He then enhanced his expertise with playing steel string guitar and electric bass guitar, as well as directing various choirs and music groups, in churches throughout the valley.

Andrew has played and taught guitar and bass in various styles of music including classical, jazz, rock, pop, bluegrass, and contemporary Christian and thoroughly enjoys sharing his love of music with young and old by giving a solid foundation appropriate to each individual.

Emily Williams has a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Vocal performance from Arizona State University and a Master’s of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Brigham Young University. Performance credits include Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, Miss Todd in The Old Maid and the Thief and The Duchess in The Gondoliers.

She has been teaching voice lessons since 2002 and more recently has begun teaching piano and guitar students.

Emily enjoys teaching healthy vocal techniques in any style (classical, jazz, pop, musical theatre) and loves helping students of all ages progress with their vocal goals. She hopes all of her students learn to enjoy and appreciate music as she has.

Mark Peotter
Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet, Guitar, Electric Bass, Theory

With his college education from California State University, Northridge, Mark Peotter intended to be a public school music teacher. That changed when he discovered his passion was for live performances and recordings.

Mark received Private Lessons and Attended Master Classes from:
Joe Pass, jazz guitar legend; Bob Thomas, first Alto Sax for Tommy Dorsey and Paul Whiteman Orchestra; Justo Almario, sax player, Christian Rock genre; Alex Acuna, drums and percussionist; Weather Report and more.

Mark moved to the Phoenix area in 1994 and has been performing ever since at many Golf Resorts and Community Theaters. He is comfortable with most styles, and writes and arranges music for modern Christian genre. In 2008 he toured South Korea with the Dina Preston Band for the US Army.

Mark has been giving private lessons at Linton Milano’s since 1994. He teaches Sax, Flute, Clarinet, Guitar, Electric Bass, and Jazz Improvisation / Harmony.

Samples of Mark's music. Guitar / Alto Sax / Flute