Dan Sankey has been a professional instructor for over twenty years. Dan teaches Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle/Violin and Guitar to students of all ages, and at all levels of learning, from beginner to advanced.
Emphasis in lessons is placed on proper fundamentals/technique - both right and left hand applications, scale studies and exercises, chord structure and theory, soloing and improvisation principles and, of course, learning tunes.
Dan believes music should be enjoyable and a source of relaxation, fun and personal achievement. The greatest reward for Dan is to see a student achieve a level of personal accomplishment. Several of Dan's students have progressed to professional music careers.
Dan conducts lessons in a private music studio located in central San Diego. Lessons range from 45 - 75 minutes, and scheduling is flexible.
Contact Dan for further information : (619) 838-9515 / dans6937@gmail.com
"I feel lucky to have found Dan Sankey as a mandolin teacher. He is enthusiastic about teaching and very generous with his knowledge and time. I'm not only learning to play specific songs, but I'm learning the theory to help me become a better musician and play in a variety of situations. And to top it all off, he's a really nice guy."
- Jason Kapchinsky
"I have been a student of Dan's for a little over a year. He has a very personable manner, gives clear instructions and demonstrations. I feel honored to be able to learn from such a talented individual. He provides a very methodical approach to learning the banjo with almost immediate gratification of learning a song or two. His one-page exercise sheet is truly magical. So far all the songs I have learned have passages or measures that are found in this exercise sheet. Through the combination of this exercise sheet, I immediately started out learning songs and I felt that I was on my way and not just doing "scales". All through the process, he insures that technique is sound and does not let you just get by. Dan has given me the confidence to keep at it, even through those hard parts!"
- John Rieger
"Dan teaches using a relaxed and easy-to-understand technique. In just one mandolin lesson I came away with a basic understanding of mandolin techniques and music theory. Dan always has new music and exercises to send home after each lesson. I am having a lot of fun learning to play the mandolin and Dan's one-hour time slots are the perfect amount of time to learn without feeling rushed. Lessons with Dan have become the highlight of my week!"
- Peter Nicoloff
"Having had several mandolin instructors in my life, I highly recommend Dan Sankey. Dan is very knowledgeable about the mandolin, as well as quite a few other instruments. He is patient, encouraging, and always gives me good feedback. His ability to coax real music out of my sometimes-clumsy fingers and brain is quite remarkable, as well as good for my self-esteem. I have learned quite a bit of music theory along the way without even knowing that it was happening. We work at my pace, and Dan always patiently helps me through the bits that I get stuck on. He ensures that I have a good practice base on anything new before I leave each lesson. Dan's lessons are more than just learning a tune, memorizing fingering and chords. He is actually teaching me how to become a musician. I am extremely thankful."
- Susan Risty
"Dan Sankey is a fantastic musician and teacher. I've taken lessons with Dan for two years and in that time, I've gotten good enough to play banjo live with other musicians at big venues in San Diego like the Belly Up and House of Blues. He has a great and personalized style that is tailored to each student's needs and on top of it, he is just a really great guy. I highly endorse Dan as a music teacher."
- Ravi Kolla
"Dan is great at playing the banjo, but even more importantly, he is great at teaching the banjo. He is patient, kind, motivating and very professional. I am certain that I would not have made the advancements I have made without his guidance. Dan is very good at determining what his students need to work on in order to improve their playing (thanks Dan)!."
- Brady Braun
"When I started to learn how to play the fiddle, I wasn't sure which end of the instrument went in to the case - a complete beginner. Dan took me under his wing and patiently (very patiently) taught me all the do's and don'ts - from how to hold the bow, left hand position and even how to breathe! Now my husband actually compliments my playing instead of running from the room! Dan is a wonderful teacher and a pleasure to be around."
- Brittany Weissman
"Dan is not only an accomplished musician, he's a great teacher. At my age, deciding to take up the banjo was an act of supreme optimism, unsupported by any discernible talent or aptitude. Undaunted, Dan started with simple drills to establish the basics: how to read tablature, hold the instrument, and get the fingers going in the right directions, hammering, pulling off and rolling up and down. He quickly moved on to teaching songs, including his own student-friendly arrangements, which is an effective and fun way to learn increasingly complex styles and techniques. Information ranging from music theory to bluegrass lore is woven into each lesson, and Dan's enthusiasm and encouragement help fuel the neophyte's progress from twangs to actual tunes."
-Leslie Franz