Description:  One-on-one lessons in guitar, ukulele, bass guitar or mandolin catered to the individual that focuses on technique, and music theory, and a fun song that applies the former two. From beginner to advanced. The goal of Chris' lessons is for your child to take clear next steps in his/her understanding, enjoyment and skill of his/her instrument and music in general. If your child does not yet have an instrument, contact Chris for some helpful guidance!

Optional Shared Lesson:  Shared lessons are an option for beginners and 2nd year students. Contact the tutor for more information.

Tuition Note:  There will be three 30-minute lessons scheduled during each 90-minute CHAT period. The Tier 1 tuition for each 30-minute lesson is $32. The semester total is $473.  (The total price goes up $10 each for Tier 2 and 3 registration windows.) You have 2 options when filling out the registration form online.  You can either register for the full payment amount, OR you can register for the 1/2 payment amount.   If you choose the latter option, a balance check of $236 must be mailed to CHAT (regardless of the Tier or method of payment chosen for your full registration).  The balance check  of $236 must be received within 72 hours of the online registration but will not be cashed until October 1 (fall semester) or March 1 (spring semester). Contact Kim with questions.

Scheduling Note:  All students wishing to register for guitar lessons must contact Chris directly to schedule a time slot before registering online. After he confirms a lesson time, students should register.  Lessons scheduled for Wednesday morning will be with Daniel.

Distance Learning Option:  Students wishing to take their lessons through Zoom should register for the class through the online registration form and then contact the tutor by email.

Tutor: Chris Depoian grew up hearing his dad play guitar around the house and at live shows. He “caught the bug” around age 13 in 1999 and hasn’t stopped playing since! Right around that time he encountered God in a real way and has been a Christian ever since, as well. He’s been teaching guitar and other instruments since 2003 and received his Bachelor of Arts in Music at North Central University in 2008 where he studied jazz, blues, rock, classical, songwriting, and worship leading.

He’s taught nearly 1,000 lessons a year since 2011; from beginner to advanced, hobbyist to college-prep or gig-ready. He specializes in blues, rock, improvisation and songwriting. What he loves most about teaching is being able to pass on everything he has learned and continues to learn on his journey as a musician, helping students take step after step to achieve their musical goals.

As an active musician, Chris plays lead guitar for a blues-rock band, is a part of his church's worship team, and writes/performs his own songs! 

Tutor:  Daniel Collins grew up in Illinois with an early love for music fostered by his mom’s work at the local Christian radio station. Having the unique opportunity to meet several prominent Christian artists at a young age left a lasting impression that culminated in a lifelong passion for music. 

 Daniel’s journey on the guitar began in 1997 at age 12 when he was gifted his first guitar. Motivated by a desire to play the guitar in his church youth group, he spent his early years developing his skills as a guitarist, vocalist, and pianist. Daniel would go on to lead the worship team at his youth group as well as spending his high school years leading a traveling worship team that would provide worship for youth conferences and events around the Midwest. 

In college his studies included refining his overall musical skills while having an emphasis on classical guitar training. He started providing guitar lessons in college at North Central University in 2005 as part of a program to provide free lessons to kids in the inner city community. His teaching journey continued in 2008 when he started providing private guitar instruction at a church in the Chicago area where he also lead worship until relocating back to Minnesota in 2019.  

Daniel has a background in rock, pop, classical, blues, and worship styles. His passion is to see his students grow not just as guitar players, but as musicians.

Cost: $473, $483 or $493 per semester (depending on registration date)
Level: Grades 7-12
Prerequisite: none
Homework: At least 4 times a week for 20 minutes
Text: (to be purchased by parents)  Chris will assign a book depending on the student's instrument and experience.
Supplies: guitar, digital tuner, guitar picks, possible additional supplies throughout semester (sheet music, etc...)