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Matthew Montfort
Matthew Montfort

Guitar PicksTeaching

Student Recitals

Students of all levels and ages have the option of performing recitals in backyards, online, and Matthew Montfort's studio (post-pandemic).

Ukulele Student of Matthew Montfort Performs RecitalSenior Student of Matthew Montfort Performs Recital


Matthew Montfort and Student Jacob Friedman Perform First Flight by Mariah Parker

Success Stories

Some of Matthew Montfort's former students have enjoyed success in the music business!

Joanna Newsom. An interest in polyrhythms early in her career led her to take Matthew Montfort's world rhythm workshop.

essence. This Lileth Fair competition winner has released six albums on major and indie labels.

Tina Malia. "Her voice is as pure as fresh water bubbling from a mountain spring. As a songwriter, she evokes visions of a higher realm, a place of peace and oneness, yet her words are very much of this world, and of the earth. This young woman is destined for musical immortality." Magical Blend Magazine

Dylan Moon. A student of rock, jazz, flamenco, and classical guitar with Matthew Montfort from the age of 11, Dylan Moon was quickly thrust into the spotlight with a feature in Guitar Player Magazine! He later received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. "Originally influenced by early rock and rollers such as Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly, Moon’s main sources of inspiration expanded to include David Gilmour and Jeff Beck. In 2003, the young guitarist received an endorsement from EMG pickups after a representative saw him playing at Zone Music in Cotati, California. Moon has recorded several of his original compositions, which are very impressive, especially considering his age. He employs effects to create moods that bring to mind progressive artists such as Pink Floyd." — GuitarPlayer.Com

Richard Storbeck. "This past week Richard Storbeck began teaching music history and electric guitar to 6th graders at James Lick Elementary School. Richard has been an advanced student at Blue Bear for a couple years and this Spring Quarter is also starting up as one of our guitar instructors."— Blue Bear School of Music Newsletter

David Easley. Matthew Montfort was David Easley's first guitar teacher when the two were students at Boulder High School. He progressed very rapidly, and a few years later, went to Spain to study flamenco guitar. Upon his return, he provided his teacher with valuable insight into the flamenco tradition, and they performed many concerts together. Sadly, David Easley passed away too young. This video shows his mastery.


David Easley at the Flamenco Society Juerga

Develop musical success of your own! Email info@ancient-future.com or call 415-459-1892 to schedule a lesson. Find out about music classes by signing the guestbook.

Private Lessons with Matthew Montfort

Matthew Montfort teaches all styles of guitar along with music theory and repertoire for all instruments. He helps students reach their own personal goals in music, whatever they may be, through a lesson plan customized to the student's needs. He offers private guitar lessons, music tutorials, and group classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and online. He is available to teach master classes and workshops worldwide.

To contact Matthew Montfort about lessons, e-mail him at info@ancient-future.com or call 415-459-1892.

  • Post-Pandemic Lessons In Person
  • Interactive Lessons Via Skype, FaceTime and Zoom
  • Over 4 Decades Teaching Experience
  • Patient
  • Theory for All Instruments
  • Technique
  • Improvisation for All Instruments
  • Rhythm Classes for All Instruments
  • Reading Music
  • All Levels
  • Children Age 5 Up
  • Rock
  • Jazz
  • Folk
  • Classical Guitar
  • Flamenco Guitar
  • Electric Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
  • Ukulele
  • Sitar
  • Charango
  • World Music
  • Student Recitals

Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills. He is on the faculty of the Blue Bear School of American Music and the Zambaleta World Music and Dance School in San Francisco.

Montfort was interviewed in the December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine about his pioneering guitar work and his application of the rules of Indian raga to the music of Jimi Hendrix as exemplified by 'Purple Raga' from his debut solo recording, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar. He is also known for his work on the Glissentar 11 string fretless guitar, electric guitar, flamenco guitar, classical guitar, bass guitar, sitar, charango, mandolin, gamelan, and as leader of the popular world music group Ancient Future. He has performed worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai, and on national radio and TV shows such as the Echoes Living Room Concerts on Public Radio International and the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.

Skype online music lesson guitar pick icon carved in Bali for Matthew MontfortHe teaches private online lessons worldwide via Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, and other conferencing services, or through audio and video file exchange.

He is accepting a limited number of students for hybrid online lessons with occasional in person lessons in Cloverdale, California, or other outdoor locations in the North Bay.

Educator Awards

CheeZee Music Lesson AwardBest of Kentfield Award 2019

Matthew Montfort teaches and produces records from his recording studio in Cloverdale, California. Email: info@ancient-future.com. Tel: 415-459-1892. Website: matthewmontfort.com.