Client Testimonials

"My daughters take guitar lessons from Mike, and that’s how I got to know him. When I started Dawn to Dusk Wellbeing, a Day Habilitation center for individuals with developmental disabilities, I wanted to bring in instructors and program faciliators from a variety of different backgrounds and with different skills and talents. I asked Mike if he would be interested in running a music program at Dawn to Dusk and he agreed. His personality, demeanor and friendly attitude made me feel that he will do a good job serving them. Mike has surpassed all my expectations. His music program at Dawn to Dusk Wellbeing is one of the most popular session with many of our participants actively participating by either singing or requesting songs or playing a musical instrument. Our participants love him. Every time he walks into our auditorium, he is welcomed with applause by our participants. He also teaches guitar and keyboard to some of our participants. Mike runs a great music program at Dawn to Dusk Wellbeing. And most importantly, he is a wonderful and compassionate human being that I feel fortunate to be associated with." 

• Sesh Subramanian (founder of Dawn To Dusk Adult Day Care)

https://www.dawntoduskwellbeing.com/adult-day-care-day-program

"I have had one guitar teacher my whole life and through Mike alone, my skill has gone from not even being to hold a guitar, to the guitar becoming an extension of myself. Words can not describe how grateful I am to Mike for building my skill in a way that I could connect the dots myself. He taught me the fundamentals of the instrument and taught to my interests and my curiosity. This led me to build my skill in such a way that I could explore the instrument on my own without getting lost. This is the beauty of his teaching style. I practice everyday and haven't stopped playing for years, because Mike taught me in a way that made me fall in love with the instrument. A teacher like that is rare, and I will always be grateful to Mike for his contribution to my musicianship." 

• Nihil Iyer (student, songwriter, recording artist)

https://youtube.com/@nikhiliyer

"Mike has helped me turn all of my ideas into a fully formed project. I've learned so much from him about what it takes to produce and record. He gives me the space to create while also showing me the way to actually get things done."

• Juliana Frangella (student, songwriter, recording artist)

www.julianafrangella.com

"As I first started learning the instrument with aspirations of succeeding and being really great at guitar, going into Mike's class is what has made me into the musician I am today. The songs and core skills I learned were without a doubt one of the most important things I've ever learned on the instrument, and Mike'a incredible ability to teach me these skills effectively and with lots of fun during the classes couldn't have made me more thankful. I wanted to thank Mike for being there to drive and encourage my passion of the guitar!"

• Shravan Kumar (student)

"I have been a student of Mike's for many years, and have come from playing basic chords to being able to play and sing by myself. His patience and ability to have me believe in myself are just part of his excellent teaching skills. Whether we are playing, or talking about different musical aspects, I always come away feeling more knowledgeable and confident in my guitar playing. I look forward to every fun filled lesson. I can't say enough good things about Mike and how fortunate I am to have him as a guitar teacher." 

• Joe Adelfio (student)

"I have been Mike Montrey’s student for five years and in that time, I have learned through his very patient teachings to appreciate the art of the guitar. Mike has always centered on teaching me the way to build on past classes.  He has an unhurried, patient manner and in time I found myself playing and singing songs.  At the same time, I have built a knowledge of chords, their formation, and the theory of how and why chords are played, where on the fret board a chord can be played and be “voiced” in such a way as to make the chord melodically coherent with the composition played. Mike Montrey is a professional, very talented musician with a formal music education, and I can honestly say that his talent as a musician and teacher has been invaluable to me."

• Ephraim Sternthal (student)

"Mike was my son’s guitar teacher for over 4 years. He inspired the love of the instrument in him and was responsible for laying the musical foundation for my son. 

His approach is extremely personalized and the lessons are a perfect mix of theory and technique supported by application in popular songs. This approach kept my son engaged and always looking forward to the lessons. Mike’s experience with song writing, production and performance also enables him to guide students in any of these directions that they wish to explore. 

I would highly recommend Mike to anyone at any level for guitar!" 

• Brijesh Gopinath (father of student)