Calgary Guitar Club

### 🎸 Jammin' Essentials 2.0 – Newbies Edition 🎶

Never touched a guitar in a group setting? Maybe you’ve noodled around at home but feel totally unsure where to start? This one's for you.

This newbie-friendly jam night is all about making music feel possible — even if you’ve only been strumming in your bedroom or haven’t played in months (or ever).

With zero pressure, you'll learn how to:
🎵 Get comfortable holding and strumming your guitar
🎵 Play super simple chords that actually work in real songs
🎵 Follow along in group jams without feeling lost
🎵 Listen and respond to others in a chill setting
🎵 Grow your confidence by jamming with folks who are just like you

We’ll keep things slow, friendly, and focused on fun — because everyone starts somewhere, and we’re here to cheer you on every step of the way.

🧡 No experience required. Just bring your guitar and a willingness to try something new!

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🏠 Location: Highland Park Community Centre (3716 2 St NW, Calgary, AB T2K 0Y4)

📅 Dates and Times: 5:00 - 5:45 PM on November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and December 6

🎟️ Fee: $100 for the series (6 weeks). Please e-transfer it to info@GraceNotesAcademy.ca (with "Newbies" in the memo) to save your spot. Or $20 for each session.

👨‍🏫 Instructor: Bob Dunn
Bob is a musician who has been playing guitar since 1977 when his grandma gave him first guitar. Since then he has continued learning technique, theory, teaching and performance.He has performed in Canada, USA, Taiwan and Malaysia.He is a graduate of the Douglas College Music Program with an emphasis in Classical Guitar and interests in piano and voice/choir. However, he enjoys playing many different styles and genres of music. You can find him occasionally performing around town as Busker Bob or on social media.

### 🎸 Jammin' Essentials 2.0 – Beginner Boost 🎶

You’ve got a few chords under your belt and maybe a strumming pattern or two — but jamming with others still feels intimidating? Let’s change that.

This session is perfect for players who can play a few songs solo, but want to learn how to play with people. You'll:
🎵 Practice playing in time with others
🎵 Learn how to build a basic jam-ready repertoire
🎵 Pick up jamming tricks for common chord progressions
🎵 Boost your confidence so you’re not just playing alone anymore
🎵 Explore how to add rhythm and feel to your playing

We’ll help you start connecting the dots between what you know and what you can share in a jam. Think of this as a safe zone for trying, flubbing, laughing, and learning.

🎉 Great vibes, real growth, and you’ll leave ready to say “yeah, I can jam!”

🏠 Location: Highland Park Community Centre (3716 2 St NW, Calgary, AB T2K 0Y4)

📅 Dates and Times: 5:00 - 5:45 PM on November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and December 6

🎟️ Fee: $100 for the series (6 weeks). Please e-transfer it to info@GraceNotesAcademy.ca (with "Newbies" in the memo) to save your spot. Or $20 for each session.

👨‍🏫 Instructor: Bob Dunn
Bob is a musician who has been playing guitar since 1977 when his grandma gave him first guitar. Since then he has continued learning technique, theory, teaching and performance.He has performed in Canada, USA, Taiwan and Malaysia.He is a graduate of the Douglas College Music Program with an emphasis in Classical Guitar and interests in piano and voice/choir. However, he enjoys playing many different styles and genres of music. You can find him occasionally performing around town as Busker Bob or on social media.

### 🎸 Jammin' Essentials 2.0 – Intermediate Breakout 🎶

You can play songs pretty well — but it all kind of sounds the same, and jamming feels... stuck? Let’s break the routine.

This one’s for those who are beyond the basics but want to shake things up. You’ll learn how to:
🎵 Add new grooves and textures to your rhythm playing
🎵 Break out of predictable patterns and explore new techniques
🎵 React to others dynamically during a jam
🎵 Expand your musical vocabulary and improvisational instincts
🎵 Collaborate confidently with other musicians in the moment

You’ve got the skills — now it’s time to stretch, experiment, and jam in a way that feels exciting again. This isn’t just a jam; it’s a musical adventure.

🤘 For players ready to level up and get out of their comfort zone.

🏠 Location: Highland Park Community Centre (3716 2 St NW, Calgary, AB T2K 0Y4)

📅 Dates and Times: 5:00 - 5:45 PM on November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and December 6

🎟️ Fee: $100 for the series (6 weeks). Please e-transfer it to info@GraceNotesAcademy.ca (with "Newbies" in the memo) to save your spot. Or $20 for each session.

👨‍🏫 Instructor: Bob Dunn
Bob is a musician who has been playing guitar since 1977 when his grandma gave him first guitar. Since then he has continued learning technique, theory, teaching and performance.He has performed in Canada, USA, Taiwan and Malaysia.He is a graduate of the Douglas College Music Program with an emphasis in Classical Guitar and interests in piano and voice/choir. However, he enjoys playing many different styles and genres of music. You can find him occasionally performing around town as Busker Bob or on social media.

If you’ve ever wondered how to start teaching guitar, build your own classes, or run community workshops like the ones we do at Calgary Guitar Club — this session is for you.

Over the years, many members have asked how I began teaching, built my teaching career, and what it really takes to turn a musical passion into something sustainable. Instead of repeating these conversations one-on-one, I’m bringing everyone together for a live, interactive workshop where I’ll share the exact steps that worked for me — and open up space for your questions at the end.

This isn’t just about making money. It’s about discovering how to share your gift with purpose, confidence, and structure — so teaching feels natural, rewarding, and aligned with who you are.

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### 🎵 YOU’LL LEARN HOW TO

• Find your first five students — simple, proven ways to attract your first paying students, even without ads or a big following.
• Price and charge confidently — how to set fair lesson rates, collect payments, and communicate your value.
• Build a simple business structure — organize your teaching side hustle so it runs smoothly and sustainably.
• Figure out where and how to teach — from community centers to online lessons, learn the pros, cons, and practical setups for each.
• Decide what to teach — design lessons that fit your students’ levels and goals without overcomplicating it.

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### 💬 ABOUT YOUR HOST

Meg Ozaki is a musician, educator, and business coach who founded Grace Notes Music Academy, a private music school she ran for 10 years, and launched the Calgary Guitar Club, now home to over 1,000 members. Through her company Vita Consulting, Meg helps creative professionals and educators turn their expertise into purpose-driven teaching careers that balance passion, income, and impact.

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### 🌱 WHO THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR

This session is for musicians who feel called to teach with heart.
You don’t need to be a professional instructor — but you should have experience in roles that require patience, empathy, and communication, such as:

• Leadership or mentorship
• Counseling, coaching, or social work
• Teaching, tutoring, or childcare
• Parenting, youth work, or community involvement

If you love music, have the skills/knowledge, enjoy connecting with others, and have the ability to create a safe space for people to learn and grow — you’ll fit right in.

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### 💬 Q&A SESSION INCLUDED

At the end of the workshop, we’ll open the floor for live Q&A, so you can ask anything about starting your teaching path — from finding students and setting rates to building confidence as a new teacher.

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### 🚀 WHY JOIN

This is your chance to take what you already love and share it with others — while building a side hustle that’s both meaningful and sustainable.

✅ Free to join — RSVP now to get your Zoom link.
Bring your curiosity, your notebook, and your questions. Let’s explore how to turn your musical passion into a teaching journey that truly matters.