Werner Bonthuys
About
Hi, I'm Werner – and I’ve been helping guitarists grow since 2005.
With over 30 years of playing experience and a background that spans stage, studio, and classroom, I offer guitar lessons that are both inspiring and deeply practical. I’ve performed across South Africa, England, and the Netherlands, worked as a session guitarist on projects featured on Spotify, CDs, and TV ads, and taught at multiple schools and privately for students ranging from beginners to professional musicians, composers, and even music therapists.
I hold a Level 6 Teaching Diploma from RSL Awards and studied at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, England. I also helped pioneer graded guitar exams in the Netherlands and run the Haarlem Guitar Club—a community dedicated to real, meaningful musical growth.
My teaching is holistic and student-centered. That means we go beyond just learning songs—I’ll help you truly understand the instrument, covering technique, theory, rhythm, improvisation, tone, and expression across genres. Most importantly, I aim to add real value to your musical life and journey—helping you build a relationship with the guitar that’s as deep and rewarding as it is fun.
If you're looking for a grounded, experienced, and supportive teacher to help you grow in all areas of your playing, I’d love to work with you.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is holistic, structured, and personalized. I focus on the whole guitarist—not just what you play, but how and why you play it. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, I tailor each lesson to your goals, learning style, and musical interests.
You'll gain a deep understanding of the guitar across all areas: technique, theory, rhythm, improvisation, expression, and tone—while exploring multiple genres to build real versatility. I encourage creativity, critical thinking, and musical confidence, helping you go beyond shortcuts or trends to truly own your playing.
Above all, I teach with the intention of adding lasting value to your life through music—helping you grow not just as a guitarist, but as an artist and thinker.
Credentials & Affiliations
I hold a Higher Diploma in Contemporary Music Performance from the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, UK (2005), specializing in guitar.
After completing my studies, I returned to South Africa and worked as a session guitarist at It's Music Recording Studios in Cape Town from June 2006 to December 2011. During this time, I contributed to a wide range of recordings, including commercial releases, TV jingles, and independent artist productions.
In October 2011, I began teaching guitar and bass at Milnerton High School in Cape Town, where I also served as Ensemble Director until December 2013, and again from January to December 2017.
From January 2012 to June 2018, I was contracted as the guitar and bass teacher at Fairmont High School, Cape Town.
Concurrently, I also taught at Stellenberg High School from January 2014 to June 2018 on days when I wasn’t teaching at Fairmont.
Working with these schools inspired me to deepen my pedagogical approach, leading me to complete the following professional development courses:
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The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form – University of Rochester (April–June 2017)
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Fundamentals of Rehearsing Ensembles – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (May–July 2017)
Throughout this time, I also ran my own private guitar teaching practice (2006–2018) and played with various band like Pastiche and The Jo Martin Band. Also, touring South Africa with Parklane and playing at most music festivals around the country as a Session Guitarist before relocating to the Netherlands.
I now run a private guitar studio in Haarlem, Netherlands, where I teach students of all levels and ages. I also founded the Haarlem Guitar Club in 2023, which hosts monthly meetings, jam sessions, and hands-on workshops focused on technique, creativity, and community.