Juan Dahik

Juan Dahik – Guitarist, Improviser & Musical Guide

Hi, I’m Juan Dahik, a guitarist with over 30 years of experience working with electric and acoustic guitar. My musical path explores technique, improvisation, recording, and teaching, using music as a tool for expression, creativity, and connection.

Education & Musical Training

My musical education began in my teenage years with formal private instruction in different styles and countries. Between 1994 and 1995, I studied Popular Guitar with Grismaldo Gallardo in Quito, Ecuador, focusing on contemporary harmony and rhythm. In 1996, I studied Classical Guitar with Judith de la Asunción in Costa Rica, developing technique, tone, and phrasing. In 1999, I studied Jazz Guitar with Roberto Antillón in Costa Rica, concentrating on jazz harmony and improvisation.

I also completed the Music Production and Pro Tools Program at Berklee College of Music (Online), gaining formal training in recording, sound design, and studio production. I continue studying music daily as part of a lifelong learning process.

Teaching Experience

I began teaching guitar in 1997 at Blue Valley High School in Costa Rica, where I worked as a Guitar Instructor leading an elementary school music club.

From 2011 to 2019, I served as Director, Producer, and Instructor at W.A.A.O. (We Are All One) Music Productions, mentoring students and artists in guitar performance, creativity, and recording.

Between 2017 and 2018, I worked as a Guitar Instructor at Luz Música y Acción.

Since 2019, I have been working as a Private Guitar Instructor, teaching students of all ages and levels with a personalized approach.

Performances, Residencies & Artistic Projects

I have participated in original music projects, live performances, and studio recordings in Costa Rica and Ecuador. I was a guitarist and member of Alma Bohemia, an indie rock band active in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which recorded the album Arimaca (2001). I was also involved in Los Bespas, performing original music within Costa Rica’s independent rock scene.

With The Flying Pancake, an original rock band from Costa Rica, I performed at major live events, including a large-scale concert at Autódromo La Guácima in Alajuela on October 8, 2009, as part of the Depeche Mode Tour of the Universe festival lineup.

In addition to band work, I have worked extensively as a resident solo guitarist in hospitality and cultural venues. I was a resident solo guitarist at Taller del Artista (Costa Rica) from 2015 to 2019, at the InterContinental Hotel San José from 2017 to 2018, and at the Hilton Colón Hotel in Guayaquil from 2021 to 2024. I have also performed as a solo guitarist at the Guayaquil Country Club.

I have collaborated in duo performances with several renowned Costa Rican artists, including MishCatt, María Cardona, Malí, and Samantha Vidal, performing original music and live arrangements in intimate and concert settings.

Teaching Approach

My lessons focus on helping students enjoy the learning process while developing solid musical foundations. I teach in a practical and musical way, integrating technique, rhythm, harmony, and improvisation, with strong attention to tone, musicality, and how it feels to play. I adapt each lesson to the student’s goals and learning style, helping them develop confidence and their own musical voice.

What you’ll learn with me
🎸 Solid rhythm foundations
🎸 Modern chord vocabulary
🎸 Improvisation from day one
🎸 How to create arrangements that breathe
🎸 Tone, musicality, and intention
🎸 Techniques to relax, flow, and truly enjoy playing

My mission is for every class to leave you inspired, motivated, and more connected to your inner music.

If you’re ready to learn guitar in a warm, authentic, and creative way, I’d be honored to guide you.

My teaching style is relaxed, musical, and highly personalized. I focus on helping each student build a solid foundation while developing their own unique voice on the guitar. Instead of overwhelming you with theory, I guide you through practical exercises, real songs, improvisation, and mindful listening so you learn by playing and feeling the music. I break concepts down in a simple, enjoyable way, always adapting to your pace, interests, and goals. Whether you want to strum your first chords, improvise freely, or deepen your musical expression, I create a supportive environment where learning feels inspiring, creative, and fun.