Sonora Mentorship Program

Our mentors

Accelerate your growth with Sonora Mentorship

Sonora's Mentorship Program provides 1-on-1 access to the world’s top guitarists and educators, weekly Masterclasses, facilitated practice sessions, and more.

Apply now

Grow with the pros

Our mentors are acclaimed guitarists and seasoned educators who can help students break through plateaus.

Build relationships

Choose a mentor that fits your style, and develop a meaningful relationship as you accelerate your musicianship.

Get unlimited feedback

No waiting for your weekly lesson. Ask questions and get detailed feedback from your mentor when you need it.

Worldclass guidance from...

Touring and session guitarist

Brian Green

Brian Green is a guitar player, composer and producer based out of Los Angeles, California. He has toured, performed and/or recorded with various artists including John Legend, Rufus Wainwright, Michael Buble, Madison Cunningham, Andrew Bird, Scary Pockets and Pomplamoose. He has two albums under his name, Impressions For Headphones and Music For Home.

Guitarist and producer

Curt Henderson

Curt Henderson is a Nashville-based guitarist, producer, and music educator. After completing a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance in his hometown of Vancouver, Canada, Curt moved to Nashville, TN and has since become an in-demand figure in Music City’s busy scene.

Jazz guitarist, composer and educator

Pritesh Walia

Pritesh Walia is a virtuoso jazz guitarist, accomplished composer, and dedicated educator hailing from the vibrant city of New Delhi, India. His musical journey began at the age of 13 when he immersed himself in the rich traditions of Indian Classical Music.

Guitarist and Educator

Matt Sickels

Matt Sickels, based in Greensboro, NC, began his musical journey in Ohio and honed his guitar skills at the distinguished Cuyahoga Community College's Jazz Studies Program. Further refining his expertise at the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media, he was mentored by acclaimed instructors and had sessions with guitar maestros like Guthrie Govan. Today, with vast performance and teaching experience, Matt offers private guitar and theory lessons, blending rich tradition with modern techniques.

Guitarist, composer and educator

Robb Cappelletto

Robb Cappelletto is a guitarist, composer and educator based in Toronto, Canada. He has two decades of professional teaching experience and has been on faculty at York University as a jazz guitar instructor since 2007. An in-demand session player in Toronto's hip-hop, R&B and EDM scenes, Robb has recorded and performed with such diverse artists as Lord Finesse, Shad, Saukrates, APB, Skratch Bastid, Keys n Krates and A Tribe Called Red.

Musician and Educator

Michael Wynar

Michael Wynar is a prominent Bay Area musician and educator. Having honed his skills in jazz, soul, and funk while at Northern Illinois University, Michael has since become an in-demand session player who has collaborated with Grammy-winner Jody Watley, George Clinton, and graced the stage of the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Session/touring guitarist and educator

Jamey Arent

Jamey Arent is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer based in Los Angeles, described by Guitar Player Magazine as "a stunning player straddling blues, jazz, and rock."

Guitarist and Educator

Trevor Giancola

Named one of Canada’s Best Jazz Musicians Under 35 by the CBC in 2017, Trevor Giancola continues to perform and tour as a guitarist, band leader and educator.

Guitarist and educator

Francois Chanvallon

François began his musical training at age 10 in his native Paris, France. After attending the IMEP Paris College of Music, he earned a Bachelor of Music with honors from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music.

Guitarist, bandleader, composer and educator

Zakk Jones

Zakk Jones is an Ohio based guitarist, bandleader, composer and educator. Currently, he is the Coordinator of Guitar Studies at Truman State University, and a faculty mentor for Sonora Guitar Intensive.

Guest Lecturers

Josh Smith

Josh Smith is an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter known for his deep understanding of blues traditions and his soulful playing style. He started his music career at a young age and has since released several acclaimed albums, earning a reputation as a guitarist’s guitarist. He can be seen playing alongside Joe Bonamassa these days.

Greg Koch

Greg Koch is an American guitarist and clinician known for his virtuosic guitar playing and eclectic style that blends blues, jazz, and rock. He has released numerous albums, collaborated with major musical equipment manufacturers, and is celebrated for his instructional videos and charismatic teaching approach.

Maddison Cunningham

Madison Cunningham is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for her intricate guitar playing and introspective lyrics. She was awarded a Grammy in 2023 for Best Folk Album (Revealer).

Kirk Fletcher

Kirk Fletcher is an American blues guitarist known for his smooth style and emotional depth in his playing. A four-time Blues Music Award nominee, Fletcher has played with renowned artists and bands, contributing significantly to the contemporary blues scene.

Andy Wood:

Andy Wood is an American musician renowned for his virtuosity in both electric guitar and mandolin, blending rock, country, and bluegrass influences. He has toured as a solo artist and sideman for major acts, (Rascal Flatts) gaining acclaim for his technical skill and musical versatility.

Mark Whitfield

Mark Whitfield is a Berklee-trained jazz guitarist who has collaborated with legendary artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, and more.

Adam Levy

Los Angeles-based Adam Levy has released more than a dozen albums of his own, and is featured on recordings by Norah Jones, Vulfpeck, Ani DiFranco, Allen Toussaint, and other renowned artists.

Steve Cardenas

Brooklyn-based jazz guitarist Steve Cardenas has recorded and toured with such jazz greats as Paul Motian, Charlie Haden and Steve Swallow, to name a few. Steve is also on faculty at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City.

Amanda Monaco

Amanda is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music where she teaches private instruction, labs and guitar ensembles. and has performed with artists such as Milt Hinton, Steve Wilson, Rufus Reid, and more.

Arianna Powell

Arianna Powell is a Los Angeles-based touring and session guitarist. She currently plays guitar for Halsey and has also toured with Nick Jonas, Black Eyed Peas, JJ Lin, Drake Bell, and more.

Mimi Fox

Internationally renowned guitarist, composer, and recording artist Mimi Fox has worked with artists Abbey Lincoln, Joey DeFrancesco, Charlie Byrd, Branford Marsalis, Diana Krall, and Stevie Wonder, and more.

Josh Sklair

Josh Sklair is a two-time Grammy Award winner, honored during his 20+ years collaboration as band leader, guitarist, arranger and co-writer with American Music icon Etta James.