Guitar & Ukulele Lessons in South Elgin, IL
Guitar & Ukulele Lessons for All Ages & Musical Styles
Learning guitar or ukulele at MECA is all about fun, creativity, and finding your own sound! Our guitar teachers teach songs and materials that students like.
Whether you’re strumming your first chords or building on what you’ve learned, our teachers tailor each lesson to your goals and musical taste—from rock to pop, jazz to classical, and beyond.
We work with students of all ages, and our one-on-one approach makes it easy to stay motivated and grow at your own pace. If you’re in the Elgin area and ready to get started, reach out and schedule a lesson with one of our friendly, experienced teachers today!
Guitar & Ukulele Lessons
GET STARTEDWe Make Guitar & Ukulele Lessons Fun!
You know that feeling when your favorite song comes on and you just have to play along? At MECA, we turn that spark into real musical skills—without losing the joy that made you pick up a guitar or ukulele in the first place. Our goal is simple: we want every student to love their time learning with us.
Whether you’re dreaming of rocking out on stage or playing your favorite songs around the campfire, our experienced, supportive teachers will guide you every step of the way—always keeping the experience fun, engaging, and uniquely yours.
We Emphasize Healthy Technique
No matter your musical goals, building strong fundamentals is key—and our teachers make it feel natural and rewarding. From posture and hand positioning to chords, fretting, picking, and strumming, we help students develop the technique they need to play comfortably and confidently.
As you grow, those skills become second nature and open the door to any style you want to explore. We believe in creating well-rounded musicians, so lessons also include music theory, note reading (whether that’s lead sheets, tabs, or standard notation), and ear training—giving students the tools to understand, create, and truly enjoy their music.
We Care About Your Musical Interests
Take ownership of your own musical style and grow your talents at Music Education Center! Our dedicated instructors are committed to hearing your goals and helping you reach them. We pride ourselves on equipping each student with the tools they need to reach their fullest musical potential.
Creativity, self-discovery, and passion come to life at Music Education Center. Whether your goal is to pursue the guitar professionally in an orchestra or as a soloist, or just to play for your own personal enjoyment, your guitar teacher will support you throughout your musical journey.
Our Guitar Teachers:
Samantha Paige
Voice, Guitar & Bass (Beginning-Intermediate)
Sam embarked on her musical journey at age 9 with voice lessons at MECA, later adding guitar at 11! Sam’s passion for live performance began early through MECA Creates and forming her own band at age 11, leading to hundreds of shows at local venues and events!
Bobby Reck
Guitar & Bass, Ukulele
Bobby has played guitar for over 11 years and has taught over 5 years. In addition to playing the guitar, he loves to play soccer, video games, spend time on the computer
Terin King
Guitar & Ukulele
Terin picked up the guitar in 2010 and has been playing (lessons at MECA) and refining her skills ever since and is bringing her skill-set to MECA as a beginning guitar teacher.
Brett King
Beginning Guitar & Bass (Online Only)
Brett is a 2019 graduate of St. Charles North high school and currently attends the University of Iowa. He picked up a guitar in 2010 and has been practicing (lessons at MECA)
Zak Reiter
Piano (Beginning & Intermediate), Voice, Guitar & Bass
Zak has played the guitar for over 9 years and classical guitar technique for over 5 and has been teaching for over 5 years. Zak has a degree from Judson University where
Vito Bellino
Guitar
Vito graduated with a degree in classical guitar performance from UIC in 2022, but takes a profession in both electric and classical guitar! Vito has opened for many national acts, some of
Jacob Butcher
Guitar
Jacob has been taking music lessons since the age of 6. He has taken music classes in Jazz guitar at the University of Illinois Chicago as well as classical guitar and commercial piano at Belmont University.
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Banjo
Voice, Guitar, Bass, Piano
Tim Jones is a dynamic and accomplished instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator based in the Chicagoland area. A lifelong musician, Tim began his journey at age 5 with piano, later expanding to trombone, and ultimately finding his voice on guitar, bass, and vocals.
Clair Hedrick
Voice, Guitar
I began learning the saxophone at the age of 10, and at 15 I expanded to guitar, and at 18 expanded to voice. Throughout high school I played in both in concert and symphonic band, and in college I sang in the Rockford University choir as a soprano, alto, and tenor.
Darío Serrato
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Piano
Hi there! My name is Darío Serrato, and I’m a music educator, bassist, and multi-instrumentalist originally from central Mexico and now based in Illinois. I specialize in early childhood music education,
We offer a variety of plans to fit
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Frequently
Asked
Questions
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What Age Should My Child Start Guitar or Ukulele Lessons?
Our teachers typically recommend that guitar students are no younger than 5 years old. Children younger than this often have yet to develop the finger strength and fine motor skills needed to press firmly on guitar strings or move their fingers independently enough to form chord shapes with multiple fingers or play a series of notes in succession. Without that foundation, it can be difficult to produce a clear sound—which can lead to frustration or discouragement early on.
Ukulele, however, is a great alternative for younger learners. With its softer strings and smaller size, many kids are ready to start around age 4. It’s a fun, accessible way to build early musical skills and confidence while preparing for future guitar playing if that’s the goal!
Do I Need a Guitar or Ukulele to Start the Lessons?
Short Answer – No! Don’t let the fact that you don’t yet own an instrument hold you back from giving it a try! If you’re booking a half-priced trial lesson and don’t yet have an instrument, we’ve got you covered! MECA keeps a selection of store-owned guitars and ukuleles specifically for trial lessons and first-time students who are just giving the instrument a try. You’re welcome to use one of ours for the duration of your lesson.
That said, regular practice outside of lessons is essential for progress. If your student is excited to continue, we recommend getting an instrument for home use as soon as possible.
Luckily, MECA has a carefully curated selection of affordable, teacher-approved guitars and ukuleles that are perfect for beginners. Our staff and instructors are here to help you find the right fit—quality instruments that feel great, sound great, and are built to last.
Why Choose MECA for Guitar and Ukulele Lessons?
At MECA, we make learning guitar or ukulele personal, fun, and meaningful. Our teachers take the time to get to know each student—crafting lessons around their goals, interests, and favorite styles of music. Whether you’re a brand-new beginner, a hobbyist picking it back up, or already playing in a band, we’ll help you grow with the right mix of structure and creativity.
Lessons strike a balance between solid technique and musical enjoyment. You might explore a new chord shape, dive into a bit of theory, and then end by playing your favorite song. From method books to custom arrangements, we use tools that match how each student learns best. And if you’re curious about trying bass, mandolin, or banjo—we’ve got that covered, too!
How Qualified are Your Guitar & Ukulele Instructors?
At MECA, we have a team of guitar and ukulele instructors with a wide range of backgrounds, styles, and teaching experience. Our tiered teacher system means you can choose the right fit—whether that’s a newer teacher with fresh perspective or a seasoned instructor with years of professional training and performance experience.
No matter their level, all of our teachers are passionate about helping students grow through personalized, engaging lessons. We’ll help match you with someone who fits your goals, learning style, and musical interests.
What Will I Learn in Guitar or Ukulele Lessons at MECA?
At MECA, we make sure students build strong fundamentals—but in a way that works for them. Some lessons might split time between a method book and a favorite song, while others let your song choices guide the way into new techniques, music theory, and creative discovery.
Beginner students typically learn chords, strumming patterns, melodies, note reading, and basic theory, all tailored to their interests and pace. Whether you’re into rock, pop, classical, blues, or something else entirely, our teachers craft lessons that keep things fun, flexible, and meaningful from day one.
Ready to Get Started?
We are ready to partner with you to help you become a more accomplished musician. We truly believe that consistent, compassionate private instruction is the key to your musical growth. We are happy to evaluate and discuss your interests, goals and plans!