SMA TEACHERS
Our instructors are passionate educatots and active musicans who love helping students find their sound and reach their musical potential.
100+ FIVE STAR REVIEWS
1000’s OF STUDENTS TAUGHT OF ALL AGES
17+ YEARS IN BUSINESS
A TEAM THAT CARES
EXPERIENCED. INSPIRED. HERE FOR OUR STUDENTS.
Every teacher at Scottsdale Music Academy is hand-selected for their musicianship, teaching ability, and their ability to connect with students of all ages.
JOHN DAVIS
OWNER / GUITARIST Musicians Institute, G.I.T. Graduate
John Davis, owner and lead instructor of Scottsdale Music Academy, has more than 30 years of experience playing, recording, touring, and teaching guitar. A graduate of Musicians Institute’s G.I.T. program, John believes lessons should be fun, creative, and personalized to each student’s goals and musical tastes. As a member of F5, John recorded two major releases, appeared on MTV, toured nationally, and shared stages with Alice Cooper, Staind, Three Days Grace, Tesla, and others. He’s also worked with acclaimed producers Bob Marlette and Ryan Greene. Today, John’s greatest reward is helping students build skills, confidence, and experience that moment when they realize, “Hey, I can actually do this.”
Stephen
Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele Bachelor’s in Music Education
Stephen is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator originally from Jacksonville, Florida, with experience performing jazz, rock, gospel, pop, choral, orchestral, and concert band music. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of North Florida, specializing in secondary-level band direction. Stephen teaches piano, guitar, bass, and ukulele, combining strong musical fundamentals with creativity and personal expression. Known for his patient, encouraging approach, Stephen tailors lessons to each student’s goals—whether they want to read music, improvise, or write their own songs. Outside the studio, he enjoys sports, LEGO, hiking, and exploring new foods.
Salah
Guitar, Bass, Drums, Voice, Ukulele, Band Coaching
Salah is a versatile music instructor with over a decade of teaching experience, offering lessons in guitar, bass, drums, voice, and ukulele, along with band coaching for all ages and skill levels. His “music-first” approach builds real technique through the songs students love, tailoring each lesson to their goals, interests, and learning style. As a multi-instrumentalist, Salah also helps students understand how rhythm, melody, and harmony connect across instruments. With a supportive, encouraging style, Salah helps students build skills, confidence, and performance ability while keeping music exciting, personal, and fun.
Nathan
Drums, Band Coaching, Artist Development
Nathan is a skilled drum instructor based in Scottsdale, offering personalized lessons for students of all ages and experience levels. With a background in classical music performance, he combines strong fundamentals in rhythm and technique with creativity and modern musicianship. Nathan also brings real-world music industry experience in artist development, helping musicians refine their sound and performance skills. His passion for music education includes leading percussion programs for underserved youth through A Place Called Home in Los Angeles. Whether beginner or advanced, Nathan creates engaging, goal-focused lessons designed to build skills, confidence, and musical expression.
Ethan
Guitar, Bass
Ethan is a versatile guitarist and bassist with over 20 years of playing experience across rock, blues, country, jazz, and more. An active performer, he currently plays with a southern rock band throughout the Phoenix area. With more than a decade of teaching experience, Ethan works with students of all ages and skill levels, helping them grow technically and creatively. He has also worked with United Sound, helping individuals with learning disabilities discover and experience music. Ethan believes anyone can learn to play and focuses on making lessons fun, engaging, and accessible to every student.
Austin
Voice, Piano, Guitar
Austin is an Arizona native with over 10 years of voice teaching experience and five years teaching piano. His performance background spans classical, jazz, pop, rock, blues, and R&B, with additional experience performing in the pop-rock band SweetSummer. Currently pursuing a degree in Music Education and Composition, Austin combines vocal technique, music theory, and practical musicianship with an engaging, personalized teaching style. He tailors lessons around each student’s goals, from learning favorite songs and songwriting to audition and performance preparation. Known for his expressive and encouraging approach, Austin helps students build both musical skills and the confidence to perform.
INSPIRED PERSONALIZED INSTRUCTION
Scottsdale Music Academy is first and foremost ALL ABOUT OUR STUDENTS and PARENTS. This is why we have the best in the business on our teaching staff. All of our music industry certified instructors have real-world music experience and a passion, as well as knowledge, for music education, so that our students can learn form someone with a deep understanding of their instrument. Of course having the skill to play like a pro is a requirement for all SMA instructors, however we all know that being a great musician does not always make for a great instructor. That is why every SMA instructor is not only required to have the skill and facility of a professional musician but the patients and heart of a teacher. Adult and youth students can be confident that your SMA instructor will be dedicated to YOU and YOUR goals and will help you reach them in the most efficient and effective way possible! And have fun in the process!
OUR TEACHER DIFFERENCE
PASSIONATE EDUCATORS
We love what we do and it shows in every lesson.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Musicians who bring real-world insight to every lesson.
STUDENT-FOCUSED
We meet each student where they are and help them grow with confidence.
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
A positive, encouraging space where students feel they belong.