Testimonials
JOHN PARRIS
"I am always glad to recommend Thomas Coffey as a private teacher to guitar students in search of excellence.
He has a strong background of musical training and many years of successful teaching experience.
His students have won prizes on the state, national, and international level, and have been admitted into some of the most respected college guitar programs in the nation.
His published compositions and recordings of original works add a unique dimension to his teaching perspective.
I would recommend Thomas to any serious student of the guitar."
John Parris
Faculty Chairman of the Fine Arts Department, Blake School for the Arts
He has a strong background of musical training and many years of successful teaching experience.
His students have won prizes on the state, national, and international level, and have been admitted into some of the most respected college guitar programs in the nation.
His published compositions and recordings of original works add a unique dimension to his teaching perspective.
I would recommend Thomas to any serious student of the guitar."
John Parris
Faculty Chairman of the Fine Arts Department, Blake School for the Arts
ROBERT SMITH
"I have had the pleasure of observing Thomas teaching (and in casual performance with his students in his home), and I found someone who has a friendly and personable style, a strong command of his instrument, and the ability to teach musical concepts and technique in an effortless and integrated fashion, easily grasped by the student.
His studio represents a rare opportunity for classical guitar students in our area."
Robert Smith
Principal Trumpet, Florida Orchestra
His studio represents a rare opportunity for classical guitar students in our area."
Robert Smith
Principal Trumpet, Florida Orchestra
LYNN NORTON
"We are pleased to write this recommendation for Thomas Coffey, a fine musician and educator who has been a part of our Arts in Education Program conducting guitar presentations and workshops for elementary through secondary students in Hillsborough County Schools.
Thomas has used his musical skills and knowledge to present wonderful in-school performances that have included the traditional music of a variety of different cultures. He has been able to charm his audiences with the excellent music he performs onstage and has received many positive comments on the educational value of his presentations from students and teachers alike.
His strong musical background has also made him a popular hands-on instructor for beginning to advanced guitar students in the secondary schools. This together with his excellent record as a private guitar instructor and his published composition and recording work, makes him the premier guitar instructor of choice for anyone seeking top notch guitar instruction.
Combine these incredible artistic skills with a kind and affirming manner and you have in Thomas all of the qualities of the best of teachers."
Lynn Norton
Director of Education, Arts Council of Hillsborough County
Thomas has used his musical skills and knowledge to present wonderful in-school performances that have included the traditional music of a variety of different cultures. He has been able to charm his audiences with the excellent music he performs onstage and has received many positive comments on the educational value of his presentations from students and teachers alike.
His strong musical background has also made him a popular hands-on instructor for beginning to advanced guitar students in the secondary schools. This together with his excellent record as a private guitar instructor and his published composition and recording work, makes him the premier guitar instructor of choice for anyone seeking top notch guitar instruction.
Combine these incredible artistic skills with a kind and affirming manner and you have in Thomas all of the qualities of the best of teachers."
Lynn Norton
Director of Education, Arts Council of Hillsborough County
COLONEL TOM CLARK
"I’ve always had a desire to play the guitar, but the demands of a military career have always hindered my ability to pursue this goal.
However, Thomas Coffey, with whom I have been studying for 13 months, has finally made this possible. While I still have lots to learn, I'm walking the path and actively working toward this goal.
Thomas is the perfect guitar teacher: a talented musician, a creative artist, an insightful teacher, and, perhaps most importantly, a patient coach. During the lessons, he has a knack for quickly identifying the key problem areas in my performance and offering clear, concise recommendations for rapid improvement. Outside the lessons, he is very responsive to my questions and requests for clarification when I encounter confusion on certain pieces.
Initially, my intent was only to obtain the requisite skills necessary to accompany a campfire sing-along with my children; however, after a year of studying classical guitar, I clearly see much greater potential. I now look forward to many years ahead filled with playing guitar for personal enjoyment. I have Thomas Coffey to thank for making this desire a reality."
Colonel Tom Clark
U.S. Marine Corps
However, Thomas Coffey, with whom I have been studying for 13 months, has finally made this possible. While I still have lots to learn, I'm walking the path and actively working toward this goal.
Thomas is the perfect guitar teacher: a talented musician, a creative artist, an insightful teacher, and, perhaps most importantly, a patient coach. During the lessons, he has a knack for quickly identifying the key problem areas in my performance and offering clear, concise recommendations for rapid improvement. Outside the lessons, he is very responsive to my questions and requests for clarification when I encounter confusion on certain pieces.
Initially, my intent was only to obtain the requisite skills necessary to accompany a campfire sing-along with my children; however, after a year of studying classical guitar, I clearly see much greater potential. I now look forward to many years ahead filled with playing guitar for personal enjoyment. I have Thomas Coffey to thank for making this desire a reality."
Colonel Tom Clark
U.S. Marine Corps
ANDREW STROUD
“I have been a student of music for 19 years. That would have been cut short, were it not for Thomas Coffey. I met Thomas at the age of thirteen, after my last guitar teacher moved from the area. I was on the verge of putting the guitar down for good. Practicing the instrument had become such a chore without reward that, on one occasion, I went so far as to cut a string with a pair of scissors half an hour before a lesson so that I would not have to go. I knew I had a good teacher, so it was I that had failed as a student.
Walking into Thomas’ studio was the rebirth of my love for music.
Though, I was hardly the perfect student, Thomas was never less than an excellent teacher. From start to finish, he always gave me the exact solution to the problem; always meticulous, always striving to make me a better musician. I have realized the ultimate difference between a good teacher and a great teacher…at the end of the lesson the student feels inspired, energized, and motivated to practice. This was the feeling I had walking out of every lesson, no matter how poorly prepared I felt going in.
The lessons Thomas gave me have become the core beliefs that I now share myself as a teacher. One always hears, “the proof is in the pudding,” in this case, I can say with certainty; there is no better guitar teacher I have met.
In the seven years since I left Thomas for college, not one teacher has attempted to alter my technique, and I have been fortunate enough to be a prize winner or finalist in several international competitions and to have received numerous scholarships, assistantships, and performances all over the world (including an invitation to attend the Paris Conservatory of Music and study with Roland Dyens). This good fortune is solely the product of Thomas Coffey’s tutelage, friendship, and profound understanding of music. I owe him my most heartfelt appreciation.”
Andrew Stroud
Former Student, currently pursuing a PhD in Guitar Performance at Florida State University
Walking into Thomas’ studio was the rebirth of my love for music.
Though, I was hardly the perfect student, Thomas was never less than an excellent teacher. From start to finish, he always gave me the exact solution to the problem; always meticulous, always striving to make me a better musician. I have realized the ultimate difference between a good teacher and a great teacher…at the end of the lesson the student feels inspired, energized, and motivated to practice. This was the feeling I had walking out of every lesson, no matter how poorly prepared I felt going in.
The lessons Thomas gave me have become the core beliefs that I now share myself as a teacher. One always hears, “the proof is in the pudding,” in this case, I can say with certainty; there is no better guitar teacher I have met.
In the seven years since I left Thomas for college, not one teacher has attempted to alter my technique, and I have been fortunate enough to be a prize winner or finalist in several international competitions and to have received numerous scholarships, assistantships, and performances all over the world (including an invitation to attend the Paris Conservatory of Music and study with Roland Dyens). This good fortune is solely the product of Thomas Coffey’s tutelage, friendship, and profound understanding of music. I owe him my most heartfelt appreciation.”
Andrew Stroud
Former Student, currently pursuing a PhD in Guitar Performance at Florida State University
BILL BLANK
“I’ve been a guitar student of Thomas’s for about six years now. I continue to be amazed at his uncanny ability to watch me play a piece I’m learning and instantly diagnose multiple areas that need correcting. He
can spot a misplaced finger on the fret board, a tiny glitch in right hand fingering and problems with the pace and flow of the piece--all from watching and listening to me play it only once! Thomas is then able to suggest the exact remedy that is needed to
correct each problem.
I’ve also been very thankful for Thomas’s extraordinary patience in dealing with a student like me who has no musical talent or experience and not much of an ear for music. He can sense just how far and fast he can challenge each of his students to help them grow and develop as a player without becoming frustrated.
I initially began lessons to relieve stress but now playing the guitar has become an important part of my life thanks to Thomas.”
Bill Blank
Current Student
correct each problem.
I’ve also been very thankful for Thomas’s extraordinary patience in dealing with a student like me who has no musical talent or experience and not much of an ear for music. He can sense just how far and fast he can challenge each of his students to help them grow and develop as a player without becoming frustrated.
I initially began lessons to relieve stress but now playing the guitar has become an important part of my life thanks to Thomas.”
Bill Blank
Current Student
BEN PILA
"While studying guitar with Thomas Coffey, I gained the musical knowledge and guitar technique that I needed to compete on a national level. With his guidance I become one of twenty Presidential Scholars in the Arts in 2002, made the finals of two national solo competitions, performed concerti with three symphonies, performed on
National Public Radio’s From the Top, won scholarships, and was named the Young Artist of the Year for the Florida chapter of the American String Teachers Association in 2003. His teaching method and advice were always on point and helpful. I am graduating from Florida State University this spring and will be attending Juilliard next fall. Without Mr. Coffey’s assistance, my success with the guitar would not have been possible."
Ben Pila
Former Student, Classical Guitar Performance graduate of The Julliard School of Music
Ben Pila
Former Student, Classical Guitar Performance graduate of The Julliard School of Music
If you're not completely satisfied with your guitar playing abilities, contact Thomas Coffey today:
Thomas Coffey
813.961.9167 (please text)
[email protected]
Thomas Coffey
813.961.9167 (please text)
[email protected]
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