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.

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.

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

Adam Akers
Guitar, Saxophones, Bass Guitar

Adam started his musical ventures young. At age 8 he started playing piano which made it much easier to pick up more instruments as he discovered them. At age 10 he started playing Alto Saxophone and taking private lessons from no greater place than Linton Milano Music. He would soon learn the other saxophones, namely soprano and tenor, and then would come guitar. When Adam was 13 he tuned his first guitar and started taking classes.

Since then, Adam has played in bands varying from jazz to rock. He has played in numerous places around the valley in the bands, Dirt Brown Earth, and So Long You Crane. He is now 23, attending ASU, and keeping music very much part of his life. Since music is what he enjoys most, in order to share that love, he started teaching a little less than 2 years ago, helping students begin there journeys in music. He teaches guitar and saxophone while still practicing and performing with his current band Johnnie Casio. He understands the importance of technique, but also of improvisation, and performance. He encourages participation in recitals and works with students to learn songs they want to perform. He tries to create a comfortable and fun environment that students look forward to each week! He teaches Saxophones, Guitar, and Bass Guitar.

Kody Herring
Guitar, Ukelele, Mandolin, Banjo, Bass Guitar

Kody has been a lifelong musician. He began playing the guitar at the age of five and has continued ever since. He was enrolled in lessons at Milano's under the instruction of Norris Lewis after expressing an interest at a young age. Inspired by many classic Rock acts among his dad's collection, they had a profound influence on his style. Today he plays many genres of Rock as well as Country and Blues. Kody studied twelve years with Norris, staying through high school while remaining active in local bands.

Currently Kody plays Country and Classic Rock covers as the lead guitarist in the group Zona Road, performing regularly throughout the area. He also enjoys writing and recording his own music. In the audio production program at Mesa Community College which he attends, Kody studies studio recording, live concert sound, using digital audio workstations, and producing electronic and other styles of music.

Kody's love for music and the guitar is what pushes him to help others find enjoyment from them too.