James Stivaly

James Stivaly is a guitarist, educator, and mentor with over two decades of experience in the music industry, and more than fourteen years dedicated to teaching. For the past ten years, he has been the most sought-after instructor at the top-performing branch of the world’s largest music education company, where he has guided thousands of students—from beginners to professionals—toward their goals. His students have gone on to attend Berklee College of Music, perform on Broadway, and build successful careers of their own.

Beyond the classroom, James has lived in nearly every corner of the music industry. He has studied with renowned guitarists such as Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Mark Dollar, Kevin Hufnagel, Robbie Barnby, Martín Moretto and Josh Meader; James has toured internationally, managed stages and venues, owned and operated a recording studio, and worked in million-dollar studios alongside leading professionals. His songwriting earned him the Rubber Tracks award, and his work has been recognized in top music publications, including being the back cover of Decibel magazine. He has also released high-selling courses on music theory and songwriting, while cultivating a growing community through his YouTube channel, Patreon, and educational curricula.

At the core of James’s teaching is a spiral curriculum that guides students through the fundamental, transitional, and self-actuating stages of directly applying their craft to real-world applications. His goal is not just to teach guitar, but to help students self-actualize—learning to express themselves honestly, connect with others through their art, and contribute to a more musical and emotionally aware society. James’ songwriting, technique, and audio engineering skills have been internationally lauded on charts, music news sites, and all your favorite music platforms.