Westwood Music Center

Westwood Music offers private music lessons featuring top instructors from the Los Angeles professional music community. From beginner and intermediate to advanced and pro level players, we can match you with the right instructor to complement your style and fulfill your goals.

Our prices are reasonable and we will strive to accommodate your schedule.

Our teachers:

MITCH HOLDER – Guitar

Mitch is a guitar player's guitarist. Some of the artists Mitch has worked with in his long career in the LA Studios are Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, Joe Cocker/Jennifer Warnes, Johnny Mathis, Stevie Nicks, Kilauea, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, Lionel Richie, Dean Martin, Marilyn McCoo, Stephen Bishop, Bobby Blue Bland, Herb Alpert, Syreeta Wright, Dave Grusin, Lalo Schifrin, Nancy Wilson, Tom Jones, Juice Newton, Seals & Crofts, The Sylvers, Neil Sedaka, Brian Wilson, Jermaine Jackson, Donna Summer, Cher, Freda Payne, Lee Ritenour, Woody Herman, Leonard Cohen, Tom Scott, Leo Sayer, Minnie Riperton, Patti La Belle, Billy Preston, Hoops McCann Band, Sonny Criss, Hues Corp., Johnny Bristol, Shirley Bassey, Norman Connors, and many more.

DOUG SIKOLA – Guitar, Bass

Doug provides a full curriculum of private guitar and bass lessons. Doug, a self-professed “guitar nerd” with nearly 20 years experience as a professional musician, can take you where you want to go in your music studies. With an extensive music vocabulary and education, he welcomes students of all levels and ages. Whether you want to learn Funk, Fusion, Blues, R&B, Rock, Pop, Country, or Americana – or master Straight-Ahead, Be-Bop, or Gypsy Jazz – Doug’s your guy!

Understanding that each student possesses a unique learning style, Doug makes it a priority to get to know his pupils and find what methods work best for each one. His innovative approach to teaching theory and composition takes the intimidation out of the learning process, and encourages the student to have fun while mastering the art of their craft. He brings his own brand of authenticity and sincerity to everything he does, and genuinely wants his students to develop their talent to the fullest potential!

LUKE THOMAS – Guitar

Luke is available for private lessons, group lessons, and workshops. He is an experienced full-time performer and instructor with a background in blues, jazz, popular, world, and rock styles and a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Music and Jazz Guitar Studies. Luke has been playing, studying, and teaching music for over 15 years, and has developed a unique approach to help his students understand music, art, and the guitar in a learning-intensive, fun, and relaxed environment.

Many of Luke’s students have gone on to successful music careers, and Berkeley School of Music, UCLA, University of California Berkeley, LA Music Academy, Guitar Institute of Technology and more.

JOHN O'KENNEDY – Guitar, Mandolin, Dobro, Ukulele

The ultimate session musician as well as film & television composer, John O'Kennedy excels on all kinds of stringed instruments including guitars, mandolins, dobros, ukuleles, lap steel, Hawaiian guitars and other ethnic stuff. John attended the Dick Grove School of Music, and then earned a degree in film scoring from UCLA. He has scored and arranged projects for many large corporations, including Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Hughes, and IBM. John has also worked in a variety of settings with many great artists, including John Fogerty, Elvis Costello, Ry Cooder, Lori Leiberman, Jerry Riopelle, Harry Nilsson, Dick Fegy, Tom Kell, Roger Corman, Julie Christiensen, Tracy Newman, and the band Calico, among others. John currently plays in the house band for Top Tune at the Fanatic Salon. As a performer, John played the blues with “The Tipysy Kings” for over a decade, and now continues to gig on many projects. John is a professional instructor for students of all levels and all ages, and utilizes all his experience and kindness to bring music into people’s lives.

COOPER WALKER - GUITAR, UKELELE

Cooper was born in Los Angeles and grew up in West LA. He started playing guitar when he was 11 years old and by age 12 was performing in local cafes and bars. He took private lessons for 6 years and now, just like old “Guitar George,” he knows all the chords! He spent 4 years playing with his band Station around LA, and currently works independently and with various artists playing guitar, bass, and singing backup. Cooper likes to use the experience and knowledge he has gained through performing and practicing to help other musicians connect with the right guitar and equipment for their musical needs. Visit him at Westwood Music anytime, anytime at all! (except Sunday because we’re closed!)

GRIFFITH FRANK – Voice, Bass, Piano

Griffith Frank is an artist with a unique voice and has been nominated for, and won many prestigious vocal competitions and scholarships, including the LA Music Center Spotlight Awards and the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. Born in NYC and raised in California, Griffith has studied at UCLA and perfected the art of music. With a three octave vocal range, he teaches pop, rock, musical, and semi-classical material.