Lessons for Everyone!

“Dr. Werkema has taught me more in just 12 lessons than I have learned in almost 5 years. Besides being a knowledgeable, talented, and well-versed instructor, his passion for music shows up in every lesson and is nothing but contagious. Dr. Werkema has every resource to help you take your guitar playing to the next level and being his student is just simply a gift.”

"I studied under Dr. Jason Werkema for 4 years. He is an incredible wealth of knowledge, both in jazz and classical guitar. He also prepared me well with much knowledge in music theory. Dr. Werkema truly had me fully prepared for the music world and I have been able to work as a full time musician due to the knowledge and leadership I got studying under him. I can’t thank him enough!"

“Professor Werkema is an extremely gifted guitar player and a phenomenal teacher. He is friendly, encouraging, driven, and wise. Taking lessons with him has greatly improved my skills and understanding of the instrument. Learning more about jazz and classical guitar has given me an appreciation for those styles of music.”

"Although I have been Jason's student for less than a year, he has profoundly impacted my classical guitar journey by emphasizing the importance of precision and attention to detail. Initially, I was concerned that the challenges of online learning might hinder my progress. However, Jason's ability to identify even the subtlest mistakes in my playing and guide me in correcting them has exceeded my expectations. His explanations of techniques and theory are both cohesive and concise, effectively bridging the gaps often associated with virtual communication. I learn something new in every lesson and it is due to Jason's love for teaching, vast knowledge and patience. With such a dedicated mentor, I am confident in my ability to continue improving my musical skills and achieving my goals."

 "Learning from Dr. Werkema has been hands-down the most transformative experience of my musical journey. He believed in me, challenged me, and opened doors to music and repertoire I never would have explored on my own. His lessons were more than just instruction—they were full of encouragement, inspiration, and growth. Dr. Werkema’s mastery of skill on both classical and jazz guitar is remarkable, but what truly sets him apart is his humility, patience, and genuine care for his students. Every lesson left me feeling seen, supported, and inspired to keep chasing my dreams—not just as a musician, but as a person. He brings deep intentionality and warmth to his teaching. To hear him play is a gift, but to be his student is an even greater one."

 “Jason Werkema is truly a hidden gem. He has been pouring out to me so much musical knowledge. He knows A LOT. For a long time, Jazz was a mystery I couldn't understand how to play or how it works, but I am not overwhelmed anymore. I know now where to start and what to do. He has also been very understanding and patient with me, and I genuinely appreciate our lessons and his teachings. He even invited me to his gigs, and attending his gigs was one of the greatest lessons I've had. I am very much looking forward to continuing this musical journey with Doc."

“Dr. Werkema is an excellent guitarist who loves music and teaches music wholeheartedly. I started taking his guitar lessons in August 2022, and he is one of the most responsible instructors I've ever met. Dr. Werkema allows me to gain an in-depth knowledge of the guitar by demonstrating all the guitar skills and explaining all my questions. The materials and resources he provided in the class are constructive for learning. With his prompt feedback, Dr. Werkema always corrects me and encourages me to achieve my guitar goals. By discussing topics such as guitar and worship, I obtained a clearer idea about music, and my passion for serving God in music also grew considerably.”

"I was just beginning to expand my musical interests to jazz guitar when I started studying with Jason, and there are several personal anecdotes I can cite. First, his instruction has helped me make amazing strides—most notably being taken from a campfire guitarist to jazz band ready in only a month of lessons. Second, his interest in my musical life outside of just lessons. The immense inclusion and encouragement I’ve experienced has expanded my musical interests and presented me with incredibly unique opportunities. Overall, Jason is the best instructor I could ask for and has become more of a friend than just a teacher!"

“Jason was my teacher before he even knew it—his YouTube videos were my go-to whenever I got stuck following along with the Noad book. I was in awe of how he could make the simple exercises sound so musically beautiful.  Then, it turns out that Jason is not only an excellent musician but also an amazing guitar teacher. He is so patient and encouraging, all while being knowledgeable and skillful. I especially appreciate his calmness and gentleness, which is really helpful for me as an older adult who is not tech savvy and not as comfortable to study online. In just a few sessions, I have already seen the difference. If you ever think about getting a teacher, look no further and I highly recommend Jason.”

"Dr. Werkema has by far been the best guitar instructor I have ever met. His abounding experience in music and teaching have been extremely evident over the past year and a half I’ve met with him. His instructional style is very laid back and personal, but it also tackles the challenges the student may need to overcome. I am very blessed to have worked with such an amazing teacher.."

 “After only four lessons, I am finding skills and capabilities that I did not think was possible, especially at my age of 73.  The challenge of stretching myself, learning new skills, and practicing the fundamentals of the acoustic guitar is quite therapeutic for me.  I look forward to next week’s session!”

 "I started learning classical guitar from scratch with Jason Werkema, and it was a fantastic experience. He explained everything clearly and made sure no detail was overlooked. His teaching helped me build a strong foundation and a deep appreciation for the guitar. He is not only incredibly talented, but also a thoughtful and dedicated teacher."

“Over the years I’ve learned more from Jason than I could have ever imagined. He’s not only showed me how to improve my playing, but also how to broaden my musical repertoire. I used to  be pretty closed minded when it came to music genres, in that I used to only like, listen to, and play Rock music. But Jason has shown me the beauty of all sorts of music! Through his masterful skill as a musician and his ability to connect well with people, he has taught me how to appreciate not just Rock, but also Jazz, Funk, and Classical. His playing is next-level, his connection and care are genuine, and his knowledge is vast. It is a privilege to not only call Jason a good teacher, but also a great friend and mentor.”

"Jason Werkema was one of the best classical guitar teachers that I have ever had. His teachings were incredibly easy to understand, and he helped me to improve my technique in more ways than one. He has a kind, patient, and humble spirit and he was always encouraging and offering amazing feedback on how to grow in my skills as a guitar player. If you need a teacher who will expand your skills, look no further than Jason Werkema.”

"Although I've only taken lessons from Jason for a month or so, I've learned a lot. He is an incredible jazz and classical guitarist, and just as great of a teacher. During lessons, he is patient, flexible in his teaching methods, and encouraging. I felt welcomed as soon as I met him for the first time. Just a week in, he invited me to sit next to him at one of his gigs and explained what he and the trio were doing in real-time, which itself taught me so much as an introduction to jazz guitar. Jason is knowledgeable of music theory and guitar, kind, and a superb teacher. I can assure you that you will find him the same!"

“Playing for a great number of years I found myself in fairly entrenched ruts. Finding someone to pull me out was an amazing experience. Jason has the deep musical foundation in combination with teaching and coaching skills to make learning a joy. How he transfers this knowledge is the difference maker for me. His ability to articulate and his systematic approach fuels the process. Can't imagine a better teacher to take you deeper into your musical journey.”

“Jason is the best. You’ll find yourself with so much gold coming at you that you don’t know which pieces to grab!  I have been overwhelmed with a new depth and quality of instruction that I’ve never experienced in my life ever before.  Jason has been a friend that has ministered to my soul with music!“

“Dr. Jason Werkema is one of the best teachers I have ever worked with. Not only does he have a love for music and teaching it, he truly invests in his students. One of the best guitarists I have ever worked with, and the humblest people you will ever meet. So if you want to learn worship, jazz, blues, or classical music, Dr. Jason will get you there.”

"While Dr. Werkema remains the most skillful jazz and classical guitarist that I have ever personally known or heard play, it is his humility and intentional care of his students, which I have experienced firsthand, that truly sets him apart from his peers. He invested in my life personally as he inspired me to be a better musician every week. He is patient in practice, kind in correction, wise in instruction, and brilliant in performance. As a professional touring performer, I guarantee that you will gain practical knowledge and skill of the highest caliber from Dr. Werkema."

"I had the pleasure of studying classical guitar with Jason for around one year, and I feel I progressed in my abilities more in that one year than any of the prior ten or so since first picking up guitar. Look nowhere further for a highly competent, well connected and well traveled, and deeply passionate musician. More than this, Jason is one of the most kind-hearted people I know, and he has been a source of great encouragement in my journey both as a guitarist and in life in general!"

“I’ve taken guitar lessons with Dr. Werkema for 7 years now. Doc is not only a talented guitarist and teacher, but his style of teaching is inviting and thoughtful. He truly cares about guiding his students in their musical journeys. He’s always eager to introduce you to new music, and work through it alongside you. He is inspiring and has a kind and encouraging attitude. Dr. Werkema has made my experience of guitar lessons exciting, diverse, and full of personal improvement.”

“Taking guitar lessons with Dr. Werkema was one of the best parts of studying music in college. Not only was he the most skilled guitarist I’ve ever met, but I could tell he was very interested in my life and helping me achieve my own goals. I really appreciated the personal touch and humor he brought to his lessons as well as his musical experience and mastery!” 

“Jason Werkema is one of the most gifted teachers I’ve ever had.  As a musician, he brings incredible knowledge, artistry and technical skill to the disciplines of classical and jazz guitar.  His teaching style is both challenging and encouraging, and I experienced the greatest musical growth of my career because of it.  If you’re searching for an instructor who can elevate your skill and confidence on the guitar, there’s no one better.”

“Jason truly has a gift for teaching music. Not only does he possess the technical building blocks to advance your skills, he also approaches every lesson with such enthusiasm that it is impossible not to feel motivated afterwards. It is safe to say that I became a much better musician learning from Jason.”

"Lessons with Jason Werkema was exactly what I needed. Some background: I’m a professional musician who’s worked actively as a jazz pianist and music director for over 30 years. I’ve tried teaching myself guitar, but always lacked accountability, and also needed an intelligent practice regiment that would move me forward towards my goals. Jason is such an organized and accomplished teacher, that lessons with him have propelled me rapidly towards my goals. Being a superb musician himself, he is able to tailor the lessons to meet his students needs wherever they are along their musical growth journey. Now I have an organized approach to learning all the styles and techniques I’ve struggled to teach myself. I feel measurable improvement every time I sit down for a practice session. Thank you so much, Jason!"

“Dr. Werkema is an extraordinary teacher.  He matches his high level of training and skill with his incredible gift for teaching.  His compassionate and understanding manner have taken my daughter’s guitar skills to new heights.  It is an honor to get to study under Dr. Werkema, and we consider it a great blessing to have the opportunity to do so.”

 “Jason Werkema is an exceptional guitar instructor who has transformed my playing. Each lesson is tailored around your goals, and each lesson lays out a clear path to achieving them. His deep expertise in classical and jazz guitar, combined with his artistry and technical precision, makes every lesson inspiring. He is so patient, kind, and encouraging. Jason’s teaching style is both rigorous and uplifting, pushing me to achieve breakthroughs in my skills while building confidence. For anyone seeking a teacher to take their guitar playing to the next level, Jason is unmatched.”

"Dr. Werkema's experience and skill with the guitar is a monument to the dedication he has to the craft. Dr. Werkema is a phenomenal guitar player; whether he's reciting classical pieces or laying out beautiful jazz chords, he does it with a musicality that can often be overlooked at such a high level of technical skill. I'd been playing guitar on my own for a few years before taking lessons with Werkema, but he really honed in on getting the techniques—ones I'd struggled with or outright ignored—down. On top of being a good player and guitarist, Dr. Werkema is a great teacher. He's patient and is quick to spot problems and find solutions. One thing I've found about music lessons over the years is that the quality and value of the lesson is directly connected to the quality of the teacher. Dr. Werkema is the best teacher I've had over the years of taking lessons in my musical studies. This combination of raw guitar prowess and fine-tuned teaching skill make Dr. Werkema's lessons more than worth it, and I'd encourage anyone considering taking lessons with Werkema to do so.”

“To start, Dr. Werkema’s teaching style is very personal and extremely helpful. The way he tailors the content of what he teaches depending on what I want to work on and need to practice is one of my favorite parts of his teaching style. Dr. Werkema’s skill in music has served not only as a testament to how good he is at teaching, but also as a major inspiration to me. Before I started taking lessons, I felt unmotivated to practice as I felt I couldn't improve. Dr. Werkema’s lessons showed me that I was not in fact at a plateau, and instead had developed detrimental habits that limited my guitar playing. His skill in recognizing these habits has reinvigorated me.”

"It was a truly fortuitous (and blessed) circumstance in finding Jason. It was at the time of the 2019 pandemic, and our son, who was 8 years old at the time, like many of us in Sydney, was stuck at home. His interest in music was starting to peak prior to ‘lockdown’ and we were concerned that such a massive life interruption would impact his interest in continuing his learning of the classical guitar. We approached Jason, after watching his beautiful performances online. We never imagined he would agree to teach Xavier, but after the first “get to know you” session, a wonderful teacher/student connection was forged which has evolved into a beautiful mentor/mentee rapport. We believe we have connected with the most professional and personable of guitar teacher’s, who genuinely and deeply cares for his students and the development of their musical skills. Jason has both the professional passion and personal temperament to effectively teach his very lucky students, to not only succeed in music, but in life. Xavier’s attitude, application, skills, and musicianship has developed from strength to strength, whereby he has now joined his school’s guitar ensemble and participates in the AMEB, which is an internationally recognized standardized performing arts examination body in Australia.”