Guitar Instructors
Our Guitar Instructors are more than guitar teachers. At Childbloom we know that your guitar instructor will be a mentor for your child. That’s why we are so careful in selecting, vetting and training our instructors to work with your child.
Our staff has consistency, maturity, is conversant in all styles – from blues to classical – and can provide a positive, long-term experience that parents want. All our Childbloom Instructors have a minimum of 6 years experience teaching young people music through the guitar. Their training includes child-development, technique-anatomy in children, and thorough understanding of the Childbloom® curriculum.
Childbloom guitar Instructors are Independent teachers, trained and licensed by the Childbloom Company. All Childbloom instructors are vetted through a background check, reference interviews and skill audition. Read our reviews about our Instructors on Google here.
Meet Our Guitar Instructors
Kevin Taylor
Kevin Taylor is founder of the Childbloom® Guitar Program. He graduated from Florida State University where he studied theory, composition and classical guitar with Dr. Mario Abril. He has attended seminars focusing on children with sensory dysfunction, dyslexia and the neurology of the bio-mechanics of musicians. He has taught guitar for 52 years, including 17 years in conservatory and university settings.
He began The Childbloom® Guitar Program in 1980, which has locations nationally and which has introduced over 20,000 children to music through the guitar. He has published over 400 articles about raising the musical child and has brought music into the lives of hundreds of families in Austin and Round Rock where he still teaches. His “Master-class for Kids” has been given to young people throughout the national Childbloom Programs.
He has been called, ”the guitar guru of the pre-adolescent set,” by the press and been featured in the “Great Teacher” series of Guitar Teacher magazine. His many students have excelled in their skill and love for music, winning over two dozen local, regional, national and international competitions and awards for their playing. He has instructed nine guitarists who have appeared on the national NPR radio show, ”From The Top.”
He was the Director and composer for Childbloom “Bella Corda” guitar ensemble groups, which garnered top prizes at the Guitar Orchestra Festival International (GOFI) (2010) competition in Bad Nauheim, Germany, Guitar Foundation of America’s International ensemble competition (2017) and The Hill Country Ensemble Guitar Competition (2019). He has also authored a successful high-school curriculum to teach music though guitar ensemble, which is now being used by middle and high-schools students. He and his wife live in Georgetown, TX.
Kevin Taylor continues to teach in Round Rock and Austin and is most proud of the students he has taught who are now bringing their children to The Childbloom Guitar Program.
KEVIN’S TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
”My teaching is focused on the student’s learning. I realize that young children must build motivation and meaning along with skill. If children are motivated, nothing can stop them from excelling. I have over 50 years experience with the musical arts, the techniques of guitar playing, and the science of deep learning, so those are the elements I draw upon to communicate to the student in language they understand. I also understand the influence parents have in their child’s motivation and I work with parents to the ends they desire. What is important when working with students is their learning. I am as proud of my students who play at church, for their grandparents, friends, or for their own enjoyment, as I am of the kids who play on the concert stage. I am blessed to have a career that brings music into the lives of young people.”
Katie Kerwin
Katie Kerwin holds a bachelor degree in music performance from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. She has taught and performed in Austin for 25 years. She is also a trained Suzuki violin teacher. Katie began as a Childbloom guitar instructor in 1990 and after a hiatus, returned to Childbloom guitar instruction after raising her two daughters.
She teaches in her home in South Austin. While not performing and teaching, Ms. Kerwin enjoys bicycling and tending to her pets.
KATIE’S TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
”I believe that music enhances our lives through artistic expression, communication and growth. Consideration is given to having fun while learning musical skills to create a well-rounded musician capable of enjoying music for a lifetime.
Chris Stone
Chris grew up in San Antonio and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has been a Childbloom Instructor since 2006. Mr. Stone is conversant with both classical and pop traditions and keeps abreast of current musical trends. Chris received the national Childbloom, ”Instructor of the Year” award in 2011, 2015, 2016 and just received the 2022 award for his ability to motivate and inspire his students to “stick with it.”
He has taught music/guitar at Mid-America Guitar Camp in St Louis and at at NYOS charter School. He teaches in Central Austin, and Round Rock. Chris is also an experienced audio engineer. He was the editor and engineer for the critically acclaimed ”Gypsy Teens” CD and is the studio engineer of choice for Austin Creative Alliance’s ”Young Performing Artist Program” recordings.
Chris’ TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I love all kinds of music and I am fortunate to be able to share that appreciation with so many long-term students.. I work with students at their own pace and like to see them grow. I consider myself a student also and my learning informs me as an educator. I seek to develop an honest and safe rapport with students so they feel comfortable in their skill development and relaxed in the Childbloom class with others. The Childbloom Program makes learning easy for all age kids and I see myself as a facilitator for their journey to musicianship.
Adam Carney
Adam Carney began teaching for the Childbloom Guitar Program shortly after he moved to Austin in 2009 from his hometown of Springfield, Missouri. He began studying music at the age of 11 with private instructors, and continued on to become a performer, arranger, recording artist, and a guitar instructor himself. In 2005 Adam discovered the unusual and fascinating world of Harp Guitar; a rare hybrid instrument of guitar and harp. He has since become a well known Harp Guitarist, performing regularly in Austin and throughout the country. Adam has also taught music and been a featured performer in a variety of music camps across the nation, including cities such as Austin, Branson, and at the Alaska City Folk Arts Camp in Anchorage, to name a few. Adam is now Director of Ensembles for the local Childbloom Guitar Program, leading both the award-winning Chiara Stella and Bella Corda guitar ensembles.
Adam is Director of the Capital City Guitar Camp for kids. He has released 4 albums, and his music has been used in indie movies, television documentaries and video games. He has been interviewed on and been a featured performer for radio stations such as KMFA in Austin, and KUVO in Denver. Adam teaches guitar with the Childbloom Guitar Program in Austin and Round Rock. He has received the 2011-2012 & 2016 Motivator Awards by the Childbloom Company for excellence in teaching and retaining his students interest. He encourages his students to perform for the public, and has arranged music for Childbloom performance groups.
ADAM’S TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
”To have music in your life is special. To be able to harness the power and mystique of music is a true talent. I love to teach music as much as I love performing it. A young student at Childbloom will start off learning musicality, step by step, and in doing so will learn to set goals and conquer hurdles. As they grow and progress, they can begin to use their skill set as a form of expression and identity. They become talented and confident. For these reasons, I am honored to be able to teach for Childbloom. My philosophy is to get the student to challenge themselves, encourage them, and overall have fun learning to play music – the most important part of it all.”
Matt Montoya
Matt Montoya is a classical and jazz guitarist residing in Austin, TX. He received his B.M. in Music Performance at Texas State University. Born in Houston, TX, he began learning guitar at the age of 10 from his father. In high school, he began studying with classical guitar virtuoso Valerie Hartzell. At Texas State University, he studied classical and jazz guitar with award-winning guitarist and composer Mark Anthony Cruz.
He resides in Austin, Texas and has taught classical guitar to hundreds of students. In addition to teaching, Matt currently plays guitar locally in various jazz ensembles. As a multi-instrumentalist, he also enjoys playing drums, electric and upright bass, and piano. Besides being a licensed Childbloom Guitar Instructor, he is currently the music instructor for secondary education at NYOS Charter School in North Austin.
MATT’S TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
“Learning music has been an invaluable experience that has helped me grow countless ways during my life. I find that music education has helped me learn and understand other skills and subjects, whether it’s art, our cultural history, the discipline of physical practice, analytic skills, self-knowledge and understanding of theory. My favorite thing about teaching is being able to pass on this knowledge to others so it can enrich their lives in the way it has enriched mine. I’m particularly passionate about classical guitar and Childbloom because the skills we teach opens the door to many cross-domain abilities, musical styles, and cultures across the world for the kids.”
Gabriela Bravo
Mrs. Gabriela Bravo is an accomplished musician and dedicated educator residing in Georgetown. With a passion for music that began at the early age of 7, Gabriela has nurtured her talent and honed her skills as a guitarist throughout her life.
Gabriela received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). After completing her degree, Gabriela embarked on a fulfilling career in teaching in many formats, which has spanned an impressive 13 years.
As a relatively new resident of Williamson County, Gabriela is an avid supporter of the arts, actively engaging with the Williamson County Guitar Society, helping out at concerts and meetings.
We are thrilled to welcome Gabi as part of the Childbloom association of educators.