create the music that inspires you
jazz guitar
instruction
Are you a lover of the blues? Gypsy jazz? Bebop? All of the above? Serious students can join us at Seattle Jazz Academy to study the many styles of the guitar. Study with our expert instructors and performers, master the fretboard, and achieve your musical potential.
seattle jazz academy's
Dan rainard
guitar instructor
A Seattle native, Dan Rainard is a musical reflection of his home city. Proud is he that he attended the same high school as Jimi Hendrix and Quincy Jones! A lifelong devotee of the guitar, he feels at home playing in many styles but was particularly drawn to study jazz for its ability to convey nuanced emotion through harmony. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in music from Central Washington University and after playing several years on board cruise ships he took a hiatus to earn his Master’s degree as a graduate assistant with Chuck Israels at Western Washington University. He returned to Seattle after playing on board for several more years and working on three world cruises, accompanying hundreds of guest entertainers including Mr. Show Business himself, Wayne Newton!
Since returning in 2012, he can be heard performing with such Seattle luminaries as Tim Kennedy, Birch Pereira, and Dave Peterson as well the orchestras of Seattle Repertory Theater (In The Heights, Shout Sister Shout) and Village Theater (Songs for a New World, Matilda, Hairspray, and more). He has studied with jazz legends Julian Lage, Russell Malone, Ulf Wakenius, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Tuck Andres and Earl Klugh. He has also made an independent study of the sound and technique of George Benson, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell and John Scofield and amassed numerous personal transcriptions of their work which he hopes to publish one day. He is eager to help aspiring guitarists unlock the doors that have been opened to him by learning to read and interpret sheet music and understand and improvise music in all kinds of musical styles.
Luiggi Chancafe
guitar instructor
Luiggi is an active musician and educator in the Seattle area who is always searching for new opportunities to share his passion for music with both his listeners and students.
Luiggi graduated from the University of Washington in 2021 with a B.A in Music Performance/Jazz studies. While there he had the opportunity to study with many professionals in the music industry, including Steve Rodby, Ted Poor, Marc Seales, and Cuong Vu.
As both a leader and sideman, Luiggi currently plays in multiple musical groups, where he performs traditional repertoire and original compositions. In addition to performing, he keeps an active studio of students. Luiggi is passionate about teaching others the principles of music making, and primarily aims to provide students with the tools to effectively help them reach their goals in a timely and proficient manner.
