Photo's

Rick Ellis - Guitar Teacher

Ricky Ohrn - Guitarist, Lead Singer and Songwriter for the band Rebel Hotel. Ricky was a mostly self taught guitarist who had been playing for many years, but he felt stuck in a rut and just was not progressing as a guitarist or a songwriter anymore when he called Rick Ellis for a consultation. Ellis quickly discovered that Ricky could really shred on guitar and had some great licks, but he had very little knowledge of music theory. Rick Ellis put a lesson plan together and began working with Ricky every week on music theory, composition, songwriting and even the finer points of playing slide guitar. Every week Ricky improved in every aspect. In a few months Ricky started writing some very well structured compositions. He had learned to play guitar like he had only dreamed of playing. Now his dreams were a reality. His confidence level sky rocketed. He took his new found knowledge of theory to a vocal coach and in very little time he was ready for the "show." He auditioned some other musicians, wrote some songs, went into the recordinding studio and seemingly out of nowhere Rebel Hotel had no vacancies and were playing to sell out crowds all over Southernb California.

Ricky Ohrn. Remember that name. Undoubtedly you will be hearing it again and seeing it up in lights.

When really good guitarists decide to get even better amazing things happen.

A Children's Beginner Guitar Group Lesson

Austin Ferreira is a guitarist and the lead singer for the popular Huntington Beach surf band "The Hindu Pirates." Austin has been playing the guitar since he was very young. He, like so many other guitarists, put his energy and time into playing skills and ignored music theory for the most part. When he and some friends formed the Hindu Pirates, while they were still attending high school, he discovered his songwriting talent and became the bands main songwriter. He also quickly found himself fronting the band as the lead singer. The band has a huge following and are very popular. They have been nominated twice for best surf band in Orange County.

Austin's early songwriting efforts were clever, fun, dance-able, catchy tunes with pretty good hooks, but structurally all over the place. After just a few music theory lessons Austin's writing got bettyer, as did his guitar playing. The further into theory training he got the better the music, and the better the songs. Now Austin, fresh from graduation from high school has a bright future in the music business if he chooses to go ion that direction. He is a very good songwriter and musician

On Stage At The Marlin Club

James Nguyen - Besides taking acoustic guitar lessons, James also takes electric guitar lessons and piano lessons from Rick, works 40 hours a week and serves our country as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. 

Christian Demman, age 14 - Rhythmn Guitar and backing vocals for the teen band "The Paralyzers." Chris has been studying guitar and music theory under Rick Ellis' guidance for over four years. Besides being a talented guitarist, Christian is also an honors student with a GPA of over 4.0 and will begin his sophmore year in high school in the  fsall of 2012. Christian plans to eventually attend medical school. He has already set the goal of becoming a pediatrician. There is no doubt in the minds of anyone who knows Christian that he will do exactly that. 

Ben 1s 12 years old and has been taking electric guitar lessons from Rick for three years.

Two of Rick's students, Christian Demmon, age 14 (r) and Todd Scales, age 14 (l) at a 2012 jam session.

Matt "Da Kat" Allen, age 12 and his 1979 American Strat.

13 year old Connor Dore

One of Rick's youngest students, Gabriel, age 7. Yes, Rick also teaches piano lessons by request only.

Martin was named in honor of Martin Guitars. "Marty," part Siberian Husky and part Blues Hound, was the official greeter to scores of guitar students taking lessons at Rick's home studio. Marty was around nine years of age when Rick rescued him from a shelter in 2001. Marty refused to eat dog food, but he loved pizza. Whenever he heard a pizza being ordered by telephone he would immediately go and sit patiently by the front door for forty-five minutes and wait for the pizza to be delivered. The only thing he loved more than pizza was music played on an acoustic guitar. Of course there was always music being played around Rick's house and no matter what room the music was being played in, Marty would be there too, his long furry tail thumping the floor in sync with the tempo.

There were always 15 to 20 guitars sitting around the studio, but for reasons known only to him, Marty loved one particular Ovation acoustic guitar. Maybe it was because that guitar was also rescued from a pawn shop in 1997. It eventually became "Marty's guitar." He was very protective of it and he would curl up and sleep next to it at night. He never chewed or abused it in anyway and only allowed Rick and his son, Brian, to play it. He growled at anyone else who even attemptied to pick the guitar up. 

Marty was a faithful companion, family member and friend to many accomplished and aspiring musicians for over seven years. He passed away peacefully, in his sleep, on election day, November 4, 2008 at the age of fifteen.