White House of Music is your local guitar lesson destination! With private lessons offered at four locations across the Milwaukee and Madison metropolitan areas (Waukesha, Watertown, West Bend, and Brookfield), we have experienced teachers passionate about all guitar styles and types!


Local Guitar Lessons
Acoustic and Electric Guitar Lessons
Why Choose White House of Music?
- Experienced Teachers
- Private Lesson Rooms
- Customized Lesson Plans
- Five Lesson Locations
- Retail Guitar Sales
- Accessories and Amps
- Lessons for Beginner and Advancing Students
Guitar Styles
- Classical
- Flamenco
- Rock
- Jazz
- Blues
- Country
- Folk
- Pop
- Metal
Guitar Types
- Electric
- Acoustic
- Acoustic-electric
- Bass
We also offer banjo, mandolin, and ukulele lessons!
FIND A TEACHER
Our lesson coordinators can help find the right teacher for you! Contact us to get started!
Classroom Locations Across Southeast Wisconsin
White House of Music Guitar Teachers
Brian Bykowski
Instrument Taught: Electric Bass
Location: West Bend
I am most comfortable with this age group: 10-20 years
Bio
Since picking up the bass guitar at the age of 15, I have believed that music should be a fun and enjoyable experience and means of connecting with people. And so too, should the process of learning music. I pride myself on being able to break down bass into something approachable for anyone regardless of their background in music, or lack of. Being new to teaching, it’s my goal to create a supportive space where students can grow at their own pace.
Music Education:
I was in concert band as a trombone player from sixth grade through sophomore year of high school, and the explored the music occupations program at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
Styles Taught:
Blues, rock, heavy metal.
Brian Bykowski
Lesson Instructor
Instrument Taught: Electric Bass Location: West Bend I am most...
Christopher Newlin
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar, Bass
Locations: Waukesha, Brookfield
Christopher Newlin
Lesson Instructor
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar, Bass Locations: Waukesha, Brookfield
Cody Linder
Instruments Taught: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Voice, Ukulele
Location: Watertown
I am most comfortable with this age group: Ages 6 and Up
Preferred Virtual Platform: Zoom
Bio
Cody Linder has been teaching at White House of Music since February 2022, and teaches a wide variety of musical styles. Ever since he was 10 years old, Cody has been obsessed with music and pursuing many projects and instruments. He cites seeing Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus as his initial inspiration to pursue music, and has been doing so ever since. Aside from teaching, he is also an active composer and arranger. He has played in various bands as guitarist, bass guitarist, vocalist and keyboardist. He has extensive experience performing throughout Southeastern Wisconsin as a vocal soloist and recitalist as well as a guest artist with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra. Currently he is the assistant director of the Badger Chordhawks, a men’s chorus based in Janesville. He is also the bassist for The Thomas Pibal Trio. While he has a large background in classical music, he also has pursued other musical avenues. When he graduated college, he joined a metal band where he played bass. He also enjoys experimenting with electronic music and occasionally enjoys modding and building guitars.
Music Education:
Lakeland College – B.A. Music Performance (Vocal Performance and Pedagogy) – Class of 2012
Teaching Experience:
Taught throughout high school and as a private music teacher since October of 2021.
Styles Taught:
Classical, jazz, rock, metal, pop, and various others.
Methods Taught:
For Voice – Bel Canto Technique – A classical singing method, which I apply to all basic breathing and vocalization. This method allows the singer to sing as effortless as possible with having good projection and tone, regardless of the musical style. For guitar – Hal Leonard Guitar Method, and any songs of the student’s interest. Piano – Usually Alfred or Faber, but open to other piano methods as well
Cody Linder
Lesson Instructor
Instruments Taught: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Voice, Ukulele Location: ...
Emily Zimmer
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar/Bass
I am most comfortable with this age group: 6 and up
Bio
Hey there. I’m Emily Zimmer, a music lesson teacher with over 20 years of experience in recording, performing, and playing guitar, bass guitar, and writing music professionally. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of teaching music lessons and classes to thousands of students for over 17 years.
Music Education:
Bachelor of Science – Music Business Carroll University 2014 Associate of Science – Music Occupations Milwaukee Area Technical College 2011
Teaching Experience:
Teaching since 2008 at music stores, lesson academies, and in students’ homes in the Milwaukee area.
Styles Taught:
Modern Music Styles, including rock, pop, hard rock, R&B, soul, blues, and more. Music fundamentals including reading all forms of notation for fretted instruments, music theory, and performance.
Emily Zimmer
Lesson Instructor
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar/Bass I am most comfortable with this...
Erik Mortensen
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar, Beginner Bass
Location: Brookfield
I am most comfortable with this age group: No preference
Bio
Hi there! Music has been a passion of mine since I got my start on acoustic guitar in 2001, mostly learning by ear. Since then I took music theory courses in high school, went to college for music, played a wide variety of styles in a band for 13 years, filled in on bass in some ensembles, played classical guitar in wedding ceremonies, and wrote music for short films.
Music Education:
MATC Milwaukee: Associate’s in Music Occupations McNally Smith College of Music: Bachelor’s in Music Composition
Teaching Experience:
I’ve provided private instruction on acoustic and electric guitar to beginners of varying ages for four years cumulatively.
Styles Taught:
I’ve taught rock, pop, and folk but have experience playing much more including classical, jazz, metal, reggae, and R&B.
Methods Taught:
Primarily I tailor my instruction to the student. No matter their age or experience level I enjoy fostering an interest and love for music through patient instruction while maintaining appropriate expectations. The student should tell me where they want to go with music and I’ll show them how to get there in a way they find most engaging!
Erik Mortensen
Lesson Instructor
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar, Beginner Bass Location: Brookfield I...
Jeffrey Hammen
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar, Bass, Drums
Location: West Bend
I am most comfortable with this age group: Any
Teaching Experience:
1998-2003 – G.W.Music 2003-present – White house of music 2007-present – UW Washington Co. (professor of guitar studies classical, jazz)
Styles Taught:
All
Methods Taught:
Hal Leonard, Berklee College Press, Benward, Latarski, Mel Bay, Faber, etc.
Jeffrey Hammen
Lesson Instructor
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar, Bass, Drums Location: ...
Nate Bjorge
Instrument(s) Taught: Voice, Drums and Percussion, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Location: Brookfield
Music Education:
Bachelors in Commercial Music from Greenville University
Nate Bjorge
Lesson Instructor
Instrument(s) Taught: Voice, Drums and Percussion, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards...
Patrick Burton
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano
I am most comfortable with this age group: 8+
Preferred Virtual Platform: Zoom
Bio
Patrick started playing guitar in 2019 after hearing Stevie Ray Vaughan Live at the El Mocambo. The sounds SRV was able to create with his instrument inspired Patrick to go out and start practicing on a loaner guitar from his brother. After three years of playing the blues in his bedroom, he decided to take his hobby to the next level. Patrick is a passionate and dedicated music professional that loves sharing music with people from all walks of life. He has a strong background in jazz, blues, rock, pop and classical. Lessons with him will consist of music reading, music theory, and improvisation. The variables in this triangle are complementary and also crucial in music education. Keeping these foundational ideals in the standards of our practice and study, we will be well rounded and successful.
Music Education:
-MATC Music degree Assosciate of Applied Science -Neil Davis Guitar
Teaching Experience:
-Janus College Preparatory & Arts Academy -MATC tutoring services
Styles Taught:
Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Rock, Pop, Country
Methods Taught:
Hal Leonard and Sessions method books
Patrick Burton
Lesson Instructor
Instrument(s) Taught: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano I am...
Ryan Erdmann
Instrument(s) Taught: Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Music Theory
Location: West Bend
I am most comfortable with this age group: All ages.
Bio
Ryan Erdmann is a professional electric bassist, double bass player, and dynamic music educator who teaches 5th and 6th grade orchestra in West Bend, Wisconsin. He has multiple years of experience teaching applied instrument lessons on guitar, bass, drums, and orchestral strings. Outside of education, he performs a variety of musical genres, ranging from classical, to jazz, and to different styles of rock music. Performance highlights include events with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, Murphy’s Law, and an album credit on Michael Murphy’s debut album, Indigo Jones. Outside of performing and teaching, Ryan enjoys football, baseball, and various tabletop games.
Music Education:
Lawrence University Bachelors of Music – Instrumental/General Music Education & Music Theory Graduated December 2022.
Teaching Experience:
Orchestra Director – West Bend School District for 5th and 6th Grade Orchestra. 2023-present Private Lesson Instructor for Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums, Music Theory, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass. 2018-present Rock Infused Orchestra Bass & Violin Coach. 2023-present Mile of Music Education Team Member. 2023-present Music Teacher – Neenah Joint School District for 6th Grade Choir and Orchestra. 2023-2023. Heid Music Rock-U Coach. 2022-2023
Styles Taught:
Classical, jazz, rock, pop, country, alternative.
Methods Taught:
Ryan has experience implementing Sound Innovations, Essential Elements, and Hal Leonard curriculum for all instruments taught. Ryan also will develop and implement curriculum tailored to the needs and wishes of his students. Ryan enjoys following the Suzuki method of instruction and has plans to become a certified instructor of this method in the near future.
Ryan Erdmann
Lesson Instructor
Instrument(s) Taught: Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass, Electric...