Check out these reviews from current and former students! Read more reviews on our Google Business page!
“I was a self-taught guitar player that had about 40 years of experience when I took my first lesson from Donovan. I was hoping to take a lesson or 2 and pick up some tips on how to play fingerstyle guitar. I wanted to learn how to compose fingerstyle songs and I thought I knew a lot. After 2 Lessons I concluded that there was so much to learn and Donovan was just the person to learn from. After about 4 years of lessons I came away with a strong knowledge of music structure and composition, I learned fingerstyle techniques and became a completely changed guitar player. I composed about a dozen fingerstyle songs in many different tunings and I am grateful for what I learned. Thank you, Donovan.”
— Bill, Former Student
“Donovan lives far from me, so we do Skype lessons! It saves us both time from commuting to meet up. Donovan is very easy to work with and learn from, such a sweet person who is committed in making a difference with all this students. I brought him a new song I was working on and he helped me tighten up the guitar lick and gave me a better way to practice it. He’s the best!”
— Sonja M. Current Student
“I received admission to the USC Thornton School of Music Studio/Jazz guitar program due to Donovan’s amazing instruction and mentorship for 10 years starting when I was a kid. He always challenged me to get better and develop my skills in a variety of styles, ranging from basic fundamentals to high level jazz theory and finger-style. I have used the lessons he has instilled in me as a foundation for continued growth in my personal career as a professionally touring musician today. I am forever grateful for Donovan’s care and everything he had taught me!”
— Ben G. Former Student
“I enjoy taking guitar lessons from Donovan Raitt. He helped me develop my guitar skills. I never felt stupid or pressured to learn. Donovan is a world-class musician but he does not let that go to his head. He is patient, humble, and understanding and knows how to come alongside a beginner guitarist and let them learn at their own pace. Thank you Donovan for many great lessons.”
— Matt L. Current Student
“Donovan is a fantastic teacher. He explains everything thoroughly and is patient with me as a beginner trying to learn. I cannot recommend him highly enough. Just listen to his music to know how skilled he is, and the fact that he communicates his teachings clearly makes me feel like I will be successful. He is well priced, extremely knowledgeable, and fun to hang out with while I am learning.”
— Scott R. Current Student
“Donovan is an excellent musician, teacher, inspiration and friend. He has been very patient helping me to correct years of bad habits that have held me back from achieving my musical goals. I look forward to 2019 and making even more progress towards becoming the musician I have always wanted to be.”
— Dave A. Current Student
“Donovan is an excellent teacher who is able to work with all levels of students. When I took lessons from him, he was able to really focus on the things I wanted to improve in, namely fingerpicking, but also helped me learn very useful Music theory along the way. You should definitely work with Donovan, you won’t regret it!”
— Drew W. Former Student
“World class, stellar guitar teacher! Donovan has talent, skill, experience AND a doctorate. Can’t find a teacher with more credentials than him. On top of all this, he’s incredibly kind, accommodating, professional, and patient. My daughter took lessons from him for several years and really learned a lot. She also enjoyed every lesson. I would highly recommend Donovan!!”
— Jennifer H. Parent
“I am also a guitar teacher and professional musician, but at the moment I am too busy to teach lessons. Every time someone calls me for lessons or asks me to refer them to someone in Orange County I tell them to call Donovan Raitt. He is one of the most versatile guitarists in the US, he is a great teacher, a truly professional performer, and one of the nicest people that I have ever met! He is great for students of all ages with any level of interest in becoming a better guitarist!”
— Josh F. - One Zero Digital Media
“I met Donovan Raitt at a fingerstyle guitar workshop about 3 years ago and I knew immediately that he had a talent for teaching. I have been playing guitar for about 40 years and never had any lessons, but I decided to enlist Donovan to be my instructor because I wanted to learn to write and play my own music. Donovan has helped me learn how to write and play music that I have created; I could not have achieved this without his help and direction. He is thorough and patient and clearly explains everything that we are working on during the lessons. My capability as a guitar player has improved so much during the past 3 years and I am very thankful for all the time that he has spent with me. I highly recommend Donovan if you want to get the most out of your guitar playing experience.”
— Bill D. Current Student
“Very professional and patient. Regardless of your skill level, Donovan will take you to at least the next one. ”
— Sam R. Former Student
“Donovan Raitt is an amazing guitarist and an even more amazing teacher. I started my lessons with him in 7th grade and from very beginning he tailored the lessons to fit my learning style. From 7th grade to senior year of high school Donovan was not only my guitar teacher, but my mentor and my friend. We started with songs like “American Pie” and “Here Comes The Sun” and by the end of our lessons he had me playing beautiful finger style pieces by Andy McKee and Tommy Emmanuel. Thanks to his lessons the guitar feels like an extension of myself and that there is no limit to what I can learn and play. When it came time for college he helped me find a school that would further a career in music. He was instrumental in helping me pick a school that I liked and a profession that I love.”
— Charlie W. Former Student
“Donovan isn’t just an outstanding musician, he’s an outstanding teacher as well. I’ve taken several skype lessons with him and he’s always been so kind and patient working with me. I was so inspired by some of his tunes on his recent album that I had to learn them and he walked me through the difficult pieces of the song and ensured I had it under my belt. I also had questions to ask after the lesson and he was more than happy to answer them. If you’re looking for a friendly, knowledgeable teacher, this is your guy. Plus, his original melodies just sing to my soul! Thanks Donovan!”
— Josh B. Former Student
“Donovan is an outstanding guitar teacher, who taught both myself (a middle-aged guy who wanted to play along with his classic rock and blues favorites) and my son (a teenager who wanted to play with friends and at church). Donovan is very accommodative of different styles, has developed his own curriculum for some, and teaches you proper technique and music theory along the way. ”
— Michael G. Former Student
“By far the best guitar teacher I have ever had. I played for 20 years before seeing Donovan. Within one year my playing was on an entirely different level and people noticed. Friends would say ‘you have gotten so much better, and it has to be the lessons you have taken’. I started with classical guitar with Donovan and my technique was broken down (to my dismay at first) and completely rebuilt from the ground up using a stepwise, disciplined and methodical approach. My playing progressed rapidly, and after a few months I enjoyed playing guitar so much more, as opposed to the drudgery in my previous 20 years of playing. I still love and played classical but now I’ve moved back to electric and taking lessons for this with him. I am again progressing rapidly and playing is so much more enjoyable, even the exercises he assigns. Can’t wait for the next few months of lessons and progression. I have taken lesions with Donovan on and off for about 7 years and I hope he keeps on teaching!”
— Jason D. Current Student
“Donovan is a solid guy and a great teacher. I took lessons from him off and on for about a year and learned a ton. He was willing to offer advice and input on any question I came to him with, whether it was about playing, gear, performance, or whatever else was in my mind. Very grateful for him!”
— Brandon R. Former Student
“Taking jazz guitar lessons with Donovan Raitt is truly an opportunity to learn & apply music theory fundamentals to playing jazz standards on the guitar. He’s an outstanding instructor, an accomplished musician with prestigious academic music achievements and great human being. Our weekly lessons were challenging but comprehensive for what is needed to learn jazz.
He’s patient and kind in his approach, tailoring the lesson to your skill level. I highly recommend Donovan as a guitar teacher for any genre of music you wish to play. His music knowledge is deep, and his versatile teaching style is effective, which makes the total learning experience truly enjoyable. Great guy and mentor for anyone committed to improving their proficiency on the guitar.”
