Here's what students who have studied with Chris have to say about their experience: I always wanted to learn guitar. Starting at age 15 I have taken guitar lessons from many teachers but it never clicked. I used to be so jealous and mystified watching friends who played in bands. I wanted it so bad but I was banging my head against the wall. Eventually I gave up and didn’t play for years. When I started working with Chris ten years ago, I immediately knew this was going to be different. Chris has an incredible talent for meeting a student where they are and adapting his lessons to help you progress from your level. He listens to you instead of teaching some cookie-cutter lesson. I actually started studying ukulele with Chris and he pushed me to move to guitar about six months later. I’m so glad he did. Since then I’ve performed at a number of open mics, played in cover bands for small crowds, and I don’t hesitate to pick up the guitar in front of friends and throw down some of the songs I know. All of this confidence has come with Chris’ guidance and tutoring over the years. He has such a deep love and knowledge of music that I am still learning at the advanced level. For anybody who wants to progress in their music-playing journey, I can’t recommend Chris highly enough! Eric Ahern Finistère, France January 9th, 2023
I came to guitar later in life and met Chris only 3-4 days after picking it up for the very first time. In addition to his excellent skill and natural teaching ability, his calm, gentle, and supportive demeanor was instantly apparent. His approach to lessons is to meet you exactly where you’re at and to find the good and the growth in whatever you might have accomplished in the time since the last lesson. His enthusiasm for playing and engaging with one’s instrument and musical journey is tangible. I’ve always felt supported and encouraged and look forward to my weekly lessons more than most anything else. The majority of my lessons are now remote, and I have continued to learn and grow from them without feeling a need to search out in-person lessons. In addition to technique and songs, Chris’s approach to teaching musical theory is great. He works it into lessons and practice, but only at the right times and when it makes the most sense for me to understand or to see connections between the notes and the music and my playing. He really is a natural teacher and knows how to encourage and attend to both strengths and weaknesses. His wealth of skills means that he can teach at all levels and types of playing. In many ways Chris is a spirit guide, sent here not just to teach someone how to play an instrument (which he’s very good at) but also how to think and feel about music and perhaps its cosmic connection to our lives as humans. His approach to his own playing and musical life is something all his students are inspired by and wish to emulate. I cannot recommend lessons with him strongly enough, in the last 4 years I’ve grown in my playing in ways that I wouldn’t have imagined and credit it entirely to his wisdom, guidance, encouragement, and confidence in me as a musician. Joe Trapani Amherst, Massachusetts February 8th, 2023
Many years ago, my parents gave me the gift of music lessons because of my interest in playing guitar. Sadly, the available teacher was decidedly uninspiring, especially for a teenaged student. Now, as an adult learner playing mandolin, I found a most wonderful, patient and inspiring teacher in Chris Paradis. Not only is Chris a musical talent and multi-instrumentalist, he is a gifted and enthusiast teacher. He is able to adapt his lessons to a variety of learning styles and is able to vary the way he explains complex ideas until understanding is reached. Unlike some teachers who insist on using only one method, Chris teaches by tab, notation and by ear, or by whatever method gets the student to their goal of engaging with and enjoying their instrument. I find this tremendously helpful. Chris motivates his students by discovering the student’s own interests and is adaptable enough to fan those sparks to a flame by making the lessons personally relevant. Chris’s own love of music and musical exploration bring real joy and discovery to my lessons, and his gentle, authentic praise motivates me to practice more. How I wish I had found Chris when I was much younger! But, as Chris would tell his 95+ year old student, joy in music can come at any age. (I know that he even catered a lesson in playing video game music for a young student). Chris is a teacher who fosters joy, excitement and long-term motivation. Chris has never shown impatience or frustration in a lesson and seems to take true pleasure in being a teacher. I can’t stress enough what a gift it is it is to have a teacher as enthusiastic as Chris for continued musical motivation. I highly recommend Chris as a teacher for any age of student. Laurie Bethke Sandpoint, Idaho February 14th, 2023
I started taking guitar lessons with Chris almost four and a half years ago - my relationship, appreciation, and love for music has tremendously grown and changed for the better in that time. Chris and I initially met in person for lessons, but during the beginning of the pandemic, transitioned to online Skype lessons - through many life changes, job shifts, and even an out of state move on my part, I’ve been so thankful that our virtual lessons has granted me the flexibility to continue to meet every week and has carved out the space for music to be a joyful part of my everyday life. The transition was nearly seamless - Chris is a skilled communicator and educator, bringing the same energy and warmth to our virtual lessons as he did in person. Over the last couple of years, I have explored a wide variety of musical goals with Chris - he’s introduced me to completely new genres, artists, and styles of music I’ve never played before (from blues, to jazz, to Hawaiian slack-key guitar) challenged me to think creatively through composing, improvisation, and recording exercises, and has even helped me overcome my trepidation with music theory - something I didn’t think would be possible after many years of formal piano lessons growing up. While Chris has been a gentle and encouraging guide in leading me outside of my comfort zone, the main objective throughout our lessons has always stayed the same no matter what - to make learning and playing music together a fun and enriching part of my life. 4+ years later (and many more to go!) I still look forward to picking up my guitar every single day. Victoria Chin Brooklyn, New York February 18th, 2023
After years of failed attempts at various instruments with various disappointed professionals who merely shook their heads in capitulation to my rhythm-resistance and unteachability, Chris has done what I thought impossible. He taught me how to play the banjo. Or at least has given me hope that one day, my banjo and I will be welcome guests at campfires. Among the many things I have appreciated about his teaching style, I have most valued his kind encouragement and patience. While accommodating my ridiculous setlist requests (and a firm belief that Violet Femmes and Pink Floyd sound fine in clawhammer), and my spontaneous refusal to try new things, Chris has found for me a delightful path to learning and what I believe will be a lifelong pursuit of joy in making music. Ammi Midstokke Sandpoint, Idaho February 22nd, 2023
I remember begging my parents to let me take music lessons. I knew that I wanted to learn the banjo, and of course it is not the most common instrument for people to teach. We had found two different ads on Craigslist for banjo lessons. One was someone who lived in the same town and us, and another who lived about an hour away. We inquired about both the ads and got a response from each. The instructor who lived in the same town sent a reply that was short and curt, while the other, who lived farther away, had a kinder and more welcoming tone. Obviously I wanted to take lessons with second response, which happened to be Chris. He was so easy to learn from, and all of his lessons were designed to be fruitful and fun. I got to learn songs that I liked, even as a brand new musician. I’ve been taking lessons from Chris now for almost 7 years. His lessons are all designed in a way that is unique for each and every one of his students in order to have the most fruitful learning experience. Over the years Chris has influenced me to learn other instruments as well, so my current repertoire includes the banjo, guitar, and some mandolin. His lessons are incomparable and worth every penny. Emma Heigel Athol, Idaho February 28th, 2023
There is a lot that can be said about Chris. His amazing base of knowledge, whether you are talking theory or playing styles, still blows me away. I started trying to play the electric guitar at 60, I have been with Chris now for almost 8 years. If it had not been for his way of teaching, and listening to what I wanted to achieve, I would have given up years ago. I definitely started late in life, but Chris just kept encouraging me. All I ever wanted to do was play along to songs I love, not sing, not change them, just play what I remember. Most of the time now when I turn on, and blast a song I love, I pause inside because I can finally play along. It makes me emotional because it has been a long journey to get here. I am very thankful to have found such a good teacher and friend. So for anyone reading this, and you want to play the guitar, any style, any genre, acoustic or electric, and you are willing to try 1 hour a day, you WILL be a guitar player. Just add Chris, and you are good to go! Joe Perry North Idaho March 16th, 2023
I am grateful on a daily basis that I found Chris Paradis as my music teacher. I had studied before with another wonderful teacher when I started playing clawhammer banjo relatively late in life. But after a year’s absence from playing (thanks to the pandemic), a friend who studies guitar with Chris recommended that I start to work with him as well, which has been life-changing in so many ways. Not only does Chris design tunes for my friend and me to play together, but he also, of course, works with me as an individual student. We have mostly focused on “old time” clawhammer tunes, which I love, but he’s also mixed in a little jazz and blues, and he once spontaneously played AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” for me solely with his fretting hand! I’ve since added that to my life goals. While the banjo may forever baffle me, becoming more acquainted with its complex logics, thanks to Chris, has deepened my love of the instrument. I am forever astounded by how much Chris knows — about music history, about music theory, and just about music as an art and an experience. He is at once adaptable (not surprising, given how many instruments he plays!), patient, and deeply kind. My lessons with him are the highlight of every week, and what he has taught me about the banjo has fed into other parts of my life as well — whether my own teaching or writing or just a better centeredness in my little part of the world. To quote Chris himself: “Banjo is joy!” Amelie Hastie Amherst, MA June 30th, 2023
My son has never been too keen on extracurricular activities, he’s a bit shy and reserved and hesitant to try new things. But he showed an interest in guitar so we decided to give lessons a try. Chris arrived at our home with a gentle, warm presence and immediately made my child feel totally comfortable. In no time at all guitar lessons with Chris were the highlight of my child’s week, he looks forward to it every time and I am blown away by what Chris has been able to teach him in just a few months. These lessons have awoken a part of my son that was previously dormant. He has such a passion for music now and his lessons with Chris have played an immense role in that. If you are looking for a dedicated music teacher who is kind, engaging, and really fantastic with kids, Chris is your guy. Every week when the lessons are over my son sits me down and excitedly plays what he has learned, it’s beautiful to witness his growth and enthusiasm. So grateful we connected with Chris and now have the gift of music in our home. Olivia Gonzales Sandpoint, ID October 6th, 2023