Guitar Intensive

A revolutionary path to complete guitar fluency.

Unlock your creative potential with conservatory-level training at a fraction of the cost and time, powered by daily mentorship, proven structure, and cutting-edge learning software.

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4.9

Rated 4.9 from 400+ reviews

5,000+ students worldwide
5 Grammy winning alumni
7x faster than private study
10th the cost of music school

Notable Sonora Alumni

Welcome to Sonora

The future of guitar education.
A modern conservatory.

The Sonora Core Program combines an Ivy League caliber curriculum with AI driven learning software and world class faculty, proven to accelerate progress up to ten times faster than traditional learning methods. Optimized for speed, Sonora helps students make incredible progress in as little as 5 to 7 hours of practice per week.

Daily 1-to-1 Mentorship

Instead of waiting a week between lessons, work with your world-class mentor every day. At Sonora, this daily feedback loop keeps you moving forward, delivering accountability and fast results.

World-Class Faculty

Learn from our exclusive staff of professional musicians and guest lecturers. Attend daily live classes with world-class Grammy-winning mentors, touring professionals, and session legends who are accessible to you every single day.

Accelerated Online Learning Platform

Our curriculum features 100s of lessons and 4 weekly live classes and our learning platform is built to fast-track your progress. Master skills in weeks, not years, with tools proven to be up to 10x faster than traditional lessons and other online platforms.

Thriving Community & Exclusive Retreats

Connect with passionate players from around the world and dive into immersive retreats in the most inspiring music destinations on earth. Learn, perform, and explore side by side with your peers and our world-class mentors.

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Meet The Faculty

Learn from the professionals,
behind the professionals.

Sonora's faculty are world-class musicians who've toured globally, played on Grammy-winning records, and worked with iconic artists. You'll learn directly from the musicians behind the music you love.

Arianna Powell

Arianna Powell

Touring and Session Guitarist (currently w/ Olivia Rodrigo)

Currently touring worldwide with Olivia Rodrigo. Has played with Halsey, Nick Jonas, Black Eyed Peas, and performed on SNL. Featured in Guitar Player magazine's "50 Sensational Female Guitarists."

Full-Time Mentor
Madison Cunningham

Madison Cunningham

Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist. Best Folk Album 2023 for Revealer. Has collaborated with Andrew Bird, Mumford & Sons, and Lucy Dacus.

Guest Lecturer
Jamey Arent

Jamey Arent

Session/touring guitarist and educator

LA-based guitarist described by Guitar Player Magazine as "a stunning player straddling blues, jazz, and rock." Has performed with Frankie Valli, Smokey Robinson, and Nigel Hall.

Full-Time Mentor
Josh Smith

Josh Smith

Guitarist and singer-songwriter

Blues guitar virtuoso and Joe Bonamassa's musical director and producer. Guitar World top 30 blues guitarists. Owner of Flat V Studios in LA.

Guest Lecturer
Becca Stevens

Becca Stevens

Grammy-Nominated Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and guitarist blending jazz, chamber pop, indie rock, and folk. Has collaborated with David Crosby, Jacob Collier, and Snarky Puppy. Classical guitar training at NC School of the Arts.

Guest Lecturer
Greg Koch

Greg Koch

Guitarist and clinician

Milwaukee blues/rock guitarist and WAMI Hall of Famer. Fender's top 10 unsung guitarists. Clinician with tens of millions of video views. Guitar World top 15 guitar teacher.

Guest Lecturer
Ross Martin

Ross Martin

Bluegrass & Acoustic Guitar

Genre-crossing guitarist blending bluegrass, jazz, country, and folk. Toured with Matt Flinner, Jacob Jolliff, Grant Gordy, and more. Acclaimed educator at workshops and music camps nationwide.

Full-Time Mentor
Jack Ruch

Jack Ruch

Jazz, Blues, and Soul Guitarist

Nashville-based jazz, blues, and soul guitarist known for his brilliant tone and soulful phrasing. Influences include B.B. King, Ray Charles, and Oscar Peterson. Admired by Kirk Fletcher and Guthrie Trapp.

Guest Lecturer
Brian Green

Brian Green

Session Guitarist, Songwriter, and Producer

LA-based session guitarist who has performed with John Legend, Michael Buble, and Andrew Bird. House guitarist for Dancing With the Stars. Emphasizes rhythm, form and harmony in his teaching.

Full-Time Mentor
Guthrie Trapp

Guthrie Trapp

Nashville Session Guitarist and Educator

One of Nashville's preeminent session guitarists. Has performed with Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Jerry Douglas. Popular educator with 70K+ YouTube subscribers. TrueFire and ArtistWorks instructor.

Guest Lecturer
Adam Levy

Adam Levy

Session Guitarist and Educator

Session guitarist for Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Vulfpeck, and Ani DiFranco. Played the iconic solo on "Give Me One Reason." Member of Norah Jones' Handsome Band on her Grammy-winning debut.

Guest Lecturer
Pritesh Walia

Pritesh Walia

Jazz guitarist, composer and educator

Virtuoso jazz guitarist from New Delhi with degrees from Musicians Institute, Berklee, and NEC. Nominated for "Best Jazz Artist of the Year" at the Boston Music Awards. Endorsed by Collings Guitars.

Full-Time Mentor
Andy Wood

Andy Wood

Nashville Session Guitarist and Clinician

Award-winning Nashville session guitarist and clinician. Guitar Center Guitarmageddon national champion. Known for his genre-blurring style spanning rock, bluegrass, country, and jazz.

Guest Lecturer
Robb Cappelletto

Robb Cappelletto

Composer, Clinician & Session Player

Toronto-based guitarist and York University faculty member. Mentor to Grammy-winning students including Billy Strings. Stresses learning music by ear and fretboard visualization.

Full-Time Mentor
Kirk Fletcher

Kirk Fletcher

Blues guitarist

Four-time Blues Music Award nominee. Former lead guitarist of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Key collaborator with Joe Bonamassa on Billboard No. 1 live albums.

Guest Lecturer
Curt Henderson

Curt Henderson

Guitarist, Producer, and Educator

Nashville-based guitarist, producer, and educator. Curt has collaborated with Fender, D'Angelico, PRS Guitars, and Walrus Audio, and is deeply committed to helping guitarists reach their full potential.

Full-Time Mentor
Tim Lerch

Tim Lerch

Jazz and Blues Guitarist, Emmy Award-Winning Composer

Emmy Award-winning composer and world-renowned jazz/blues guitarist. Member of Pearl Django. Has studied with Ted Greene, Joe Pass, and Lenny Breau. Author of three bestselling guitar books.

Guest Lecturer
Francois Chanvallon

Francois Chanvallon

Guitarist and Educator

Paris-born guitarist with degrees from Berklee and Manhattan School of Music. Has worked with Chris Cheek, Gary Burton, and Kurt Elling. Expertise spans jazz, rock, pop, metal, and funk.

Full-Time Mentor
Jamie Drake

Jamie Drake

Singer-Songwriter and Multi-Instrumentalist

LA-based folk/indie artist with 25M+ Spotify streams. Has collaborated with Moby, Jim James, Nickel Creek, and Wilco. Album featured on Wilco's "Favorite Albums of 2019" list.

Guest Lecturer
Greg Fleischut

Greg Fleischut

Multi-instrumentalist rooted in Bluegrass, Americana, and Jazz

Versatile multi-instrumentalist specializing in bluegrass and jazz. Has performed at Red Rocks, Outside Lands, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. USC Thornton and CalArts graduate.

Full-Time Mentor
Rotem Sivan

Rotem Sivan

Jazz Guitarist and Composer

NYC-based jazz guitarist and composer from Jerusalem. Down Beat 4.5-star review. Performs regularly at Smalls, Birdland, and Blue Note. Has played with Peter Bernstein and Ari Hoenig.

Guest Lecturer
Cecil Alexander

Cecil Alexander

Jazz Guitarist, Composer, and Educator

Former Berklee faculty member. Winner of Lee Ritenour Six String Theory Competition. Signed to Kurt Rosenwinkel's Heartcore Records. Touring with Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah.

Guest Lecturer
Trevor Giancola

Trevor Giancola

Instructor, Bandleader, Composer, Sideman

Named one of Canada's Best Jazz Musicians Under 35 by the CBC. Has shared the stage with Seamus Blake, John Abercrombie, and Donny McCaslin. Music Faculty at Humber College.

Full-Time Mentor
Zakk Jones

Zakk Jones

Improviser at Heart, Mentor by Calling

Ohio-based guitarist and Coordinator of Guitar Studies at Truman State University. 2024 Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award recipient. Has performed with Maria Schneider and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

Full-Time Mentor
Matt Sickels

Matt Sickels

Composer / Arranger / Performer

Versatile guitarist with nearly 30 years of experience, bridging jazz, fusion, and pop. Featured at the International Musicians Summit alongside Tom Quayle, Mark Lettieri, and Isaiah Sharkey.

Full-Time Mentor
Seth Rosenbloom

Seth Rosenbloom

Blues Guitarist and Singer

Blues guitarist hailed by The Boston Globe as "a searing blues-rock guitarist." Has sat in with Joe Bonamassa and Eric Johnson. Berklee scholarship recipient. ArtistWorks instructor.

Guest Lecturer
Michael Agranovich

Michael Agranovich

Guitarist and Educator

Guitarist with 25 years of experience spanning jazz, blues, folk, pop, and rock. His teaching blends real-world playing experience with a strong foundation in theory.

Full-Time Mentor
Noel Johnston

Noel Johnston

Jazz Guitarist and Educator

Jazz guitar faculty at University of North Texas. USC and UNT graduate. Has performed with Kenny Wheeler, Gary Willis, and Lucky Peterson. DownBeat award-winning educator.

Guest Lecturer
Michael Wynar

Michael Wynar

Guitarist and Educator

Prominent Bay Area musician who has toured with Grammy-winner Jody Watley and collaborated with George Clinton and Narada Michael Walden. Performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Full-Time Mentor
Carter Arrington

Carter Arrington

International Educator, Studio Musician, and Performer

Austin-based guitarist known for his work with Arthur Brown, Eric Johnson, and Alejandro Escovedo. DownBeat award-winner who has performed at Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals.

Full-Time Mentor
Drew Taubenfeld

Drew Taubenfeld

Musical Director and Multi-Instrumentalist

Musical director for Kacey Musgraves, Selena Gomez, Leon Bridges, and Lil Nas X. Berklee graduate. Multi-instrumentalist covering guitar, pedal steel, banjo, and dobro.

Guest Lecturer
Joseph Piilonen

Joseph Piilonen

Touring Guitarist and Educator

Toronto-based session guitarist who has performed with Andy Kim, Tanika Charles, and Classic Albums Live. Prioritizes musical fundamentals and individualized learning paths.

Full-Time Mentor
Steve Cardenas

Steve Cardenas

Jazz Guitarist and Educator

NYC jazz guitarist since 1995. Member of Paul Motian Electric Bebop Band and Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra. The New School faculty. Co-author of The Thelonious Monk Fakebook.

Guest Lecturer
Ronan Delisle

Ronan Delisle

Session Guitarist and Educator

LA-based guitarist, songwriter, and producer whose work blends jazz, songcraft, and experimental textures. Has studied with Julian Lage, George Garzone, and other renowned musicians.

Full-Time Mentor
Rob Compa

Rob Compa

Progressive Jam and Fusion Guitarist

Berklee-trained guitarist known for his work with progressive jam band Dopapod. Has performed at Red Rocks, Bonnaroo, and Summer Camp. Blends rock shredding with jazz, gypsy, and country influences.

Guest Lecturer
Emil Werstler

Emil Werstler

Metal and Gypsy Jazz Guitarist

Nashville-based guitarist known for metal (Dååth, Chimaira) and gypsy jazz. Atlanta Institute of Music graduate. PRS Guitars artist. Billboard-charting albums with both bands.

Guest Lecturer
John Schroeder

John Schroeder

Session Guitarist and Producer

LA session guitarist and USC Thornton graduate. House band guitarist on Dancing with the Stars. Toured with Frankie Valli. Nephew of Russ Freeman (The Rippingtons).

Guest Lecturer
Marcel Camargo

Marcel Camargo

Guitarist, Composer, and Arranger

Brazilian guitarist who worked with Michael Bublé for 10+ years. Music director for Gretchen Parlato's Grammy-nominated album. UCLA ethnomusicology grad who studied with Kenny Burrell.

Guest Lecturer
The Core Program

Your pathway to real progress
starts right here.

Sonora Core Program

Sonora's faculty are world-class musicians who've toured globally, played on Grammy-winning records, and worked with iconic artists. You'll learn directly from the musicians behind the music you love.

  • 3–12 month intensive
  • Lifetime access to the Core curriculum
  • Lifetime access to our learning software
  • 4x weekly group classes
  • Access to our thriving community
  • Unlimited access to a dedicated mentor
  • One-to-one lessons
  • Daily video feedback on your playing
Apply Now

Enrollment by Application Only. Pricing depends on your educational needs, apply for a quote.

Not quite ready for the Core Program yet?

We offer a 10 week Prep Program for those newer to guitar. This program helps you build your confidence, refines your technique, and prepares you for success in the Core Program.

Learn More
Why Sonora

Most guitarists plateau. Sonora helps you break through.

Sonora was created to solve the common challenges guitarists face when trying to progress. With daily mentorship, cutting edge learning software, a thriving community, and a proven roadmap, we give players everything they need to achieve accelerated results.

Progress Roadblock

Practicing for years but never sounding like the player you want to be?

Break through with an Ivy League caliber curriculum proven to deliver accelerated results.

Lack of Structure

Jumping between random YouTube videos or courses without a clear roadmap?

Follow a personalized roadmap that shows you exactly what to practice to achieve measurable progress.

No Accountability

No one correcting mistakes, guiding your progress, or holding you to your goals?

Get unlimited one-to-one guidance from a world class faculty of touring and session players.

Time Wasted

Spending hours practicing but not seeing results that match the effort?

Make real strides in just 5–7 focused hours per week with structured plans, daily feedback, and live workshops.

Isolation

No peers or mentors to learn from, push you further, or celebrate wins with?

Join a thriving community of more than 5,000 students, engaged and passionate about helping each other succeed.

Low Confidence

Hesitating to jam, perform, or even share your playing with other musicians?

Build confidence through inclusive online workshops and in-person retreats, supported by peers and mentors.

Student Results

Real Students
Real Results.

At Sonora, transformation isn't a vague promise. From hobbyists breaking out of long plateaus to emerging professionals leveling up fast, the results speak for themselves.

Anthony Siciliano

Getting a lot more tasteful, intentional, and subtle on the instrument has been a byproduct of working with Sonora.

Brandon French

My wife told me I progressed more in the six weeks of the beginner bootcamp than in months of trying it on my own.

Kevin Barnard

Sonora has built one of the most solid intermediate programs I've ever tried, with a ton of value for beginner and advanced skill levels.

Duncan P. Macdonald

They expose you to incredible players and teachers who inspire you and keep your journey moving forward.

Brad Talbutt

Now I can listen to music and know what's going on and actually pick it up just by listening if I work at it hard enough.

Peter Bragino

A couple months in, my hands on the guitar just started to make music — and that was the most important thing to me.

Scott Dent

I've been playing 40 years… and this is by far the best program on the market that I've seen to this point in my life.

Jonathan Robins

For the first time in a long time, it feels like I'm engaged in a learning initiative that feels enabling and full of possibilities.

Insights

Insights from the community.

Sonora isn't just a place to train, it's a global community of musicians sharing ideas, stories, and inspiration. Dive into our behind-the-scenes content, practice tips, and real lessons from the road.

View More Articles
Free Training

Proven Techniques That Unlock the Entire Guitar in Months, Not Years

Not ready to apply just yet? No problem. Start with our 40-minute on-demand training session. You'll get a real look at how Sonora works and walk away with a practical roadmap to move forward with confidence.

Free Training
FAQs

Got questions?
We've got you...

Choosing the right program is a big decision and we want you to feel confident. Here are answers to the most common questions we get.

Is this right for my level?

Yes. If you're intermediate or returning to serious practice, the Core Program is for you. Beginners should start with the Prep Program.

What makes Sonora different?

Sonora combines daily one-to-one mentorship from touring and session professionals, a structured curriculum designed for accelerated progress, and cutting-edge learning software — all in a format built for adults with busy lives. Unlike courses or YouTube, you get personalized guidance every step of the way.

How much does it cost?

Tuition depends on your program level, duration, and mentorship structure. Programs start at $97 for our beginner Prep course, with comprehensive options available for intermediate and advanced players. Book a call to get a personalized recommendation and quote.

Do I need fancy gear?

Not at all. Any acoustic or electric guitar in reasonable playing condition is enough to get started. Our curriculum focuses on technique, theory, and musicianship — not gear. Your mentor can help you decide if any upgrades would benefit your playing down the line.

What's the time commitment?

Most students see meaningful progress with 5–7 focused hours of practice per week. The program is designed for adults with jobs and families — you don't need to clear your schedule. Daily mentorship and structured plans ensure every hour counts.

Not ready to commit?

No problem. Start with our free 40-minute training session to see how Sonora works, or explore our beginner Prep Program — a 10-week course that builds confidence and strong foundations before you dive into the Core Program.

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