The Creation and Purpose of Guitar Academy
Created by Stephen and Joellen Miller in the nineties Guitar Academy is a four
level interactive program based on a series of books, audio CD’s and expansion
downloads. The Miller’s have built a vital student base over the last twenty years at
two universities and their own studios using there own Guitar Academy Program in
the South Bend/Notre Dame Indiana community since 1993.
With a lack of any effective group instruction programs Stephen and Joellen
developed “Guitar Academy” out of a desire for a program that can be effectively
used to teach groups and individuals.
The solo/ensemble design of Guitar Academy has allowed them to teach between
one and twenty students in a class or lesson. Individual students can easily join in
with other players and groups to play in recitals. The solo aspect also allows an
effective development of repertoire studies for individuals as many of the ensemble
pieces double as solos.
The Millers have created a musicianship program that brings together the skills of a
music school curriculum as a path to playing the guitar and at the same time a great
program for groups and individuals. Since it’s inception Guitar Academy has been
used by thousands of students.
Music Theory for Guitarists was recently added to the curriculum to provide a
uniquely interactive project based theory program. Unlike theory materials that
mostly teach scales, Music Theory for Guitarists is a thorough ground-up series
with hands-on projects that can be done with a class or an individual student. It is a
great way to add value to a serious guitar program.
About the Creators of Guitar Academy
Stephen Miller began his guitar experience in 1964 after hearing the Beatles on
the Ed Sullivan show and a few years later picked up his first guitar. After hearing
Andreas Segovia on a Sunday morning program, Stephen realized the guitar in
itself could be an orchestra with many parts.
This led to his pursuit of classical guitar training and eventually to a degree in
composition at Indiana University and a masters in guitar performance and
composition at the University of Redlands, CA. where he studied with the late Terry
Graves founder of the Grammy Award winning Falla Trio. Stephen also studied
briefly with William Kannengiser of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet while Terry
Graves was on tour. After studying with some of the best ensemble performers
Stephen’s desire for interactive playing led to a desire for interactive learning.
Stephen went on to perform extensively winning touring grants with “Arts Midwest”
and the Indiana Arts Commission while teaching at the University of Notre Dame
where he continues to teach a large studio of guitar students. Stephen’s students
have gone on to study in England, Spain and California with music degrees from
both Indiana University and Notre Dame.
Joellen Miller studied guitar at Notre Dame with Stephen for four years after they
married and soon began tutoring students ultimately teaching her own classes at
Notre Dame and Miller Guitar Academy, which they began together in 1993. Joellen
also began teaching a Suzuki based children’s guitar program as well helping to
develop the Guitar Academy program. She has been instrumental in organizing
community performances of all kinds as well as the development of an after school
program using the Guitar Academy program.