Owner/Instructor

David Brandon

David Brandon has given guitar lessons in Lubbock since 1980, and his studio regularly handles hundreds of private students each week. He is a concert guitarist, EMI recording artist, internationally published author, and is on faculty as guitar professor at Texas Tech University. As owner of Brandon Guitar Studio, David’s goal is to provide the finest guitar instruction in the West Texas area, helping students to reach their fullest potential and experience the lifetime rewards of playing this great instrument.

A student of the legendary Andrés Segovia (University of Southern California), David has appeared in concert throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. The Los Angeles Times called him "an outstanding technician whose precise control of details is stunning to experience." He toured extensively with America’s preeminent classical guitarist Christopher Parkening for 15 years, culminating in the EMI recordings Virtuoso Duets and The Great Recordings. Guitar Player Magazine wrote, "The music sparkles with virtuosity, precision, and musicality." David also appears with Julie Andrews on her Hallmark Christmas album and has been featured in concert with Nashville guitarist Chet Atkins and jazz artist Dave Brubeck. The Washington Post described his music as "flawless" and "dazzling," and he was hailed as "technically brilliant" by the St. Louis Dispatch and "excellent" by the Boston Globe.

David began playing guitar at the age of eight. At thirteen, he attended master classes under Michael Lorimer. After a year of study and performances in Spain and England, David returned to the United States to study with Christopher Parkening at Montana State University. Parkening wrote of his protégé, "David Brandon is an exceptionally gifted musician and a brilliant guitar virtuoso." While studying classical guitar, David always maintained a love of popular music and performed 70 shows on electric guitar during his senior year of high school.

David is the co-author of internationally acclaimed The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method. He has conducted lectures and master classes at colleges across the nation and has been the NFMC guitar advisor and a judge for MTNA. David’s latest recording, Legacy, is the definitive collection of his 25-year span of compositions and is available on iTunes or through this website.

David enjoys spending time with his wife and family, gardening, travel, and chess. He has a deep commitment to the Christian faith and loves to share his music through teaching, performing, publishing, and recording.

Former Students of Brandon Guitar Studio

While thousands of students from all walks of life have taken lessons at Brandon Guitar Studio, a few have gone on to pursue careers in music. These include Grammy award-winning Petra guitarist Pete Orta, Joe Satriani’s rhythm guitarist Galen Henson, Sparrow recording artist Josh Wilson, Enrique Iglesias’ bassist Brett Bass, and record producer Scott Faris.

Manager/Instructor

Jared Brandon

Jared Brandon started playing guitar at the age of four and has taught at Brandon Guitar Studio since 2007. He has attended master classes and workshops by Christopher Parkening, Eric Johnson, Trace Bundy, Johnny Hiland, and Gary Hoey. Jared is the lead guitarist for the praise team at Trinity Church and is frequently a guest musician at Hillside Christian Church and Experience Life Church. In 2014, he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Lubbock Christian University. In addition to his teaching duties at BGS, Jared is the studio manager, handling business, graphic design, social media, and our Fast-Track video program. He enjoys bringing out the best in his students through creativity, humor, and his innovative teaching style.

Associate Instructors

Sean Frankhouser

Sean Frankhouser has taught guitar and bass at Brandon Guitar Studio since 1997 and is a first-call bassist in Lubbock. A Fender, GHS, and Amptweaker endorsement artist, Sean recorded and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe with the late legendary Texas blues/rock guitarist Bugs Henderson. He has also shared the stage with artists as diverse as Paul Reed Smith, Redd Volkaert, Jay Boy Adams, and Amanda Shires. Sean appears frequently at many local venues, including Sunday mornings at Rock City. He has been a bass instructor for South Plains College and studied classical guitar and jazz bass at Texas Tech University. Sean is an avid reader, a sailing enthusiast, and a devoted musician, enthusiastically sharing his talents with students and audiences alike.

Jake Farr

Jake Farr began taking guitar lessons at Brandon Guitar Studio with Josh Wilson when he was eleven. While studying under David Brandon at Texas Tech University, he received his bachelors degree in music education. He has performed in master classes with the royal family of guitar, Los Romeros, and has taken private lessons with Pepe Romero. Although Jake now lives in Austin, where he is pursuing his musical career, he continues to teach for BGS online. Jake is passionate about writing, performing, and teaching music. He inspires students to develop this same love with his optimistic and personalized teaching style.

Matt McKenzie

Matt McKenzie comes from a family well known within Lubbock’s local music scene. Through the musical talents of his dad, Tim McKenzie, Matt grew up among local musicians from all walks of life, allowing him exposure to all kinds of musical styles. Matt picked up the guitar when he was twelve years old, and with the help of his dad and others, he was able to develop a well-rounded musical vocabulary. Prior to joining Brandon Guitar Studio, Matt has given private guitar lessons for more than 10 years. He has been a student of David Brandon for several years and has a passion for writing, performing, and teaching music. Matt also serves as Youth Pastor at South Plains Church of Christ.

Lane Formby

Lane Formby began playing guitar at 15. Growing up with an extensive blues/rock collection thanks in part to his father, guitar was the instrument to play. Lane enjoys all types of music and has played in praise and worship bands, blues groups, and numerous ensembles at TTU. He is currently a student at Texas Tech and began taking lessons from David Brandon in 2011 as a guitar major. His passion other than music is snow skiing, he is an avid cook, and is always looking to push his musical boundary.

A.J. Allegretto

A.J. Allegretto started strumming basic chords on the guitar at the age of 9, eventually devoting himself to music ministry in church and other settings with a variety of musical styles. At age 22 he began studying classical guitar in college, earning his Bachelor of Music degree while studying under David Brandon at Texas Tech University. In addition to guitar studies at Southern Methodist University and Tyler Junior College, A.J. has taken private lessons with guitar virtuoso Pepe Romero and attended master classes with Los Romeros and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. He is currently a graduate student at Texas Tech pursuing his Master’s in Music. A.J. has a wife and two young daughters who bring much joy to his life.

BGS Advisory Board

Comprised of select former BGS Instructors, our Advisory Board members have their fingers on the musical pulse of our community. Each is respected in their unique fields of expertise, and as BGS instructors, they mentored hundreds of guitar students. They now continue in association with Brandon Guitar Studio in an advisory capacity, keeping in touch with students and teachers alike.

Scott Faris

Scott Faris is the owner of Amusement Park Recording Studio and FarisWheel Productions. He taught for Brandon Guitar Studio for 11 years and was Director of Guitar Studies at South Plains College for 9 years. Scott has numerous recording production credits, including three David Brandon CDs.

Brett Brock

Brett Brock taught for Brandon Guitar Studio for ten years, and holds a Bachelor’s of Business from Lubbock Christian University. He has recording certifications from South Plains College and was an associate sound engineer at the Texas Tech University Crossroads Recording Studio for two years.

Drew Brandon

Drew Brandon began teaching at Brandon Guitar Studio when he was fifteen. A graduate of Lubbock Christian University with a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics, Drew received his M.S. in Chemistry from Texas Tech University, where he is currently pursuing his doctorate.