Mike Rieder

Fun Facts:

Favorite Guitarists:

• Julian Lage

• Joe Pass

• Cory Wong

• Wes Montgomery

Favorite Music Genres to Play:

• Rock

• Jazz

• Blues

• Folk

Hobbies:

• Running

• Writing,

• Watching Movies

• Talking about the Celtics for too long

Bio:

I fell in love with guitar when I was 13 years old. I still remember standing on my parents living room coffee table pretending like I was in Nirvana. The imaginary crowds would always go wild! Quickly, the fantasy turned into a desire to make a career involving music.

I went to the University of New Hampshire for music education and spent the next 4 years deeply entrenched in the music world; writing songs for my rock band, playing in jazz combos, analyzing Beethoven, breaking down the sociological impact of the Beatles, and most importantly building a lifelong relationship with the guitar.

After graduating in 2016, I rushed out to Colorado to teach general music and orchestra in a public school, but only lasted 1 year in the system. I quickly learned that jumping into major life decisions because you think it’s expected of you doesn’t always lead to the right circumstances. I went back to school and received my master in music therapy from Colorado State University (CSU). Now I’m a board-certified music therapist who specialized with dementia, stroke rehabilitation and autism.

Through it all, I’ve been teaching guitar privately. Even after 8+ years in the field and a bunch of side gigs along the way, nothing has brought me more professional joy, meaning, and ambition than teaching guitar. It’s probably predictable to come from me but… I love the guitar!!! It’s so fun, cool, and filled with never ending surprises to explore deeper. I feel so lucky to make a living sharing my excitement for it.