Anthony Bodnar Jr

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Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Blues Guitar, Bluegrass Guitar, Fingerstyle Guitar, Country Guitar, Trumpet
Lesson Fees
$15.00 / 30 Minutes
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About

I’m Anthony Bodnar Jr., a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and educator with a deep love for music that tells stories and connects people across generations and borders. I hold a B.A. in Instrumental Music from Truman State University, and my path as a musician has taken me from small-town stages to international tours across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.

As a performing artist, I’ve released original recordings on Spotify and other major platforms, blending traditional folk ballads with personal songwriting. My work spans old-time Appalachian tunes, bluegrass, Americana, and New Orleans jazz, all grounded in a respect for roots traditions and a curiosity to keep evolving them. I specialize in acoustic guitar (fingerpicking, flatpicking, rhythm) and trumpet, where I focus on both traditional jazz and classical foundations.

What I teach: 

Guitar (acoustic):

  • Folk, bluegrass, old-time, and Americana styles

  • Fingerpicking and flatpicking techniques

  • Song accompaniment, arrangement, and songwriting

  • Traditional repertoire and lyrical storytelling

Trumpet:

  • New Orleans jazz, blues, and early swing styles

  • Classical technique, sight-reading, tone development

  • Improvisation and ear training

  • Ensemble and solo performance preparation

Teaching Style

I don’t just teach songs — I help students connect with the heart of the music and develop a lifelong relationship with their instrument. Whether you’re just beginning or picking things back up after years away, my teaching is designed to meet you where you are and build toward where you want to go.

My style is:

  • Student-centered: Every lesson is customized to your goals, interests, and learning pace

  • Grounded in fundamentals: Good technique, clear tone, and healthy habits come first

  • Creatively open: I welcome songwriting, improvisation, and your own musical voice

  • Culturally aware: I teach music with its story — the historical and emotional context that gives it meaning

I work with students of all ages and backgrounds who are looking for more than just scales or charts — students who want to explore their craft, their voice, and the traditions they’re stepping into.

Curriculum

My teaching method is rooted in three core principles: musical foundation, personal expression, and cultural context. I take a flexible, student-led approach — no cookie-cutter curriculum. Whether you're learning your first chords or exploring advanced improvisation, I tailor each lesson to your goals, pace, and musical background.

Here’s what you can expect in our lessons:

  • Customized Lessons: I don’t follow a rigid method book unless it's helpful for you. We’ll build a path based on your musical interests — traditional folk songs, jazz standards, songwriting, or technical development.

  • Solid Technical Foundations: We focus on building strong habits early on — clean tone, posture, breath control, embouchure (for trumpet), picking technique (for guitar), rhythm, and articulation.

  • Learning by Listening: I emphasize ear training and listening to real recordings to understand phrasing, groove, and feel. We’ll often learn by ear, especially in folk and jazz contexts.

  • Creativity and Expression: My method encourages students to write, arrange, improvise, and make the music their own. I support creative risk-taking and help students build confidence through guided exploration.

  • Contextual Learning: I teach the why behind the what. We’ll talk about the cultural and historical roots of what you’re playing, so you're not just copying a tune — you're understanding its meaning and story.

  • Progressive Structure: Lessons are structured, but not rigid. I provide practice strategies, clear short-term goals, and long-term vision, but I also stay flexible to respond to what each student needs that week.

Whether you’re preparing for performance, writing your own material, or playing for personal joy, I aim to build lifelong musicianship — not just short-term skill. My goal is to guide you toward fluency, confidence, and a lasting love for your instrument.

Credentials & Affiliations

  • B.A. in Instrumental Music – Truman State University

  • Previous Guitar Instructor 2017-2018 - The Guitar Center Corporation  

  • Showcase Performer - Folk Alliance International, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 

  • Low Brass private instructor 2014-2017 - Kirksville Middle School, Missouri. 

  • Private guitar studio Instructor 2018-Present - Independent Studio 

PDF icon BA in Instrumental Music