Guitar Lessons Ithaca Annual Summer Party
Last Sunday, we held our much-anticipated annual summer party for current, former, and prospective 
students at Guitar Lessons Ithaca, and it was nothing short of magical. I absolutely love hosting these events each year, as they provide an incredible opportunity for the students to connect with each other, experience a relaxed, communal atmosphere, and showcase their progress in a low-pressure setting. For former students, it’s a way to stay in touch, while prospective students get a feel for the warm, welcoming vibe that we’ve cultivated here at our school.
This year, the weather was perfect, with a beautiful high of 84 degrees. The timing of the event was
a huge relief for me, especially since it was originally scheduled for the week prior. I was actually supposed to be out of town that weekend for a gig, and my older sister Carol, who is also one of my students, had planned to come down from Massachusetts, just as she did for the annual party two years ago. As it turned out, she didn’t make the trip due to my
scheduling conflict, but it was for the best, as the originally planned weekend was overcast and chilly, with temperatures in the low 60s. The new date, however, brought perfect summer weather and allowed us all to enjoy the day outdoors.
A Last-Minute Food Change and a Delightful Surprise
One of the unexpected curveballs this year was the food situation. I had initially promised Venezuelan cuisine after meeting the owners of a local Venezuelan food truck earlier this summer at Stewart Park and being blown away by their cooking. Unfortunately, they couldn’t accommodate us for the party, which led to a last-minute scramble for alternative catering. We ended up serving tacos instead, and I must say, they were a hit! The flavorful, fresh tacos added to the relaxed, outdoor vibe of the day, and no one seemed to mind the change in menu at all.
Setting the Musical Stage
As usual, I brought my guitar, along with extra amps for the students to use for jamming. We also had a fantastic rhythm section on hand, with a bass player and drummer joining in to support the jammers. 
We kicked off the musical portion of the afternoon with a gospel-flavored instrumental tune called “Hot Cha” by Roy Buchanan, which one of my students had introduced to me. This laid-back, soulful song set the tone perfectly for the rest of the day. It was my personal favorite moment of the party, as it got the energy flowing in just the right way and eased everyone into a mellow, open-minded mood.
A Student Jam Like No Other
After we wrapped up the opening set with the trio, we invited the students to come up and play, and many of them were more than eager to take the stage. Watching them work out what to play together
was fascinating. This year, I chose not to get involved in the student jams as much as I have in the past, partly because I was curious to see how they’d navigate the music on their own, and partly because I was tired from a late-night wedding gig the night before. I wanted to see how they’d handle it without my guidance.
I did bring along a binder of easy jam tunes, which I left on a music stand in case anyone needed a little extra support. It was used a couple of times, but for the most part, the students stuck to simple blues 
forms and two-chord vamps, which they handled remarkably well. It was a joy to watch them find their way, and the sense of camaraderie and collaboration was palpable. There’s something so rewarding about seeing students apply what they’ve learned, especially when they’re working together, improvising, and problem-solving in real-time.
The Perfect Setting
This year’s party took place in an idyllic setting—an outdoor campsite in Newfield, about 15 minutes
south of Ithaca. The property, owned by one of my students, featured a rustic cabin, a tranquil stream running nearby, and plenty of open space for us to set up lawn games and jam out in nature. The host even had a horseshoe game on site, which added a fun, laid-back element to the gathering. It was the perfect backdrop for the kind of mellow, easy-going party I always hope these events will turn out to be.
The peaceful, natural environment allowed for everyone to relax and just enjoy the day. Students who wanted to play music could do so, while others were free to just hang out, socialize, and take in the beautiful surroundings. There was no pressure—just good food, great company, and plenty of music. The stream provided a soothing soundtrack in between songs, and the cool, shaded areas near the water offered a 
great place to take a breather after jamming or a competitive round of horseshoes.
The Importance of Silent Teaching
One of the things I took away from this year’s party was the value of silent teaching. I’m a firm believer that sometimes the best teaching happens when you step
back and let students figure things out for themselves. This party provided a perfect opportunity for that. I resisted the urge to micromanage the jam sessions, and instead, let the students take the reins. They surprised me in the best way possible, working together to create music and navigate the
challenges of live performance without needing much help from me at all.
It was also a great opportunity for some of my current students to gain confidence by playing in front of others. Jamming with a live rhythm section in a supportive, non-judgmental setting can be such a powerful experience. I was proud of everyone who had the courage to step up and play, and it was heartwarming to see former students—some of whom hadn’t played with us in years—jump back into the mix as if no time had passed.
A Special Thank You
I can’t write about this party without mentioning how grateful I am to my wife for attending. She has always been such a great support for me, both in my teaching and in my music career, and it means a lot to me that she came to the party and shared in the day’s festivities. It was a joy to have her there, enjoying the music, food, and conversation alongside our students.
Final Thoughts
Our annual summer party is always one of the highlights of the year for me. It’s a celebration of music,
community, and growth—a time to reflect on the progress our students have made and to enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed, fun environment. This year’s party was especially meaningful, with perfect weather, great food, and an incredible group of current, former, and prospective students coming together to make music and share in the experience.
If you weren’t able to make it this year, don’t worry—we’ll be doing it again next summer! In the meantime, stay tuned for more events and opportunities to connect with your fellow Guitar Lessons Ithaca community members. Thank you to everyone who came out and made this year’s party such a wonderful success.
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