LAURIE GELTMAN

Laurie Geltman has been playing guitar and writing songs since age 7 and has taught guitar, bass, ukulele and songwriting in Los Angeles since 2004.  Noted for her skillful and passionate guitar playing, Laurie graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where she rose to headline status on the vibrant Boston music scene fronting her own rock band as lead guitarist, songwriter and singer. Laurie was often called upon to open for some of the biggest acts coming through town from legends like Joe Cocker and Leon Russell to rising stars Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.  

She toured nationally with her band and also as a solo acoustic artist playing legendary venues from CBGB’s in NYC to The Bluebird in Nashville and once in a palace in Kathmandu, Nepal. With a whole slew of awards (International Songwriting Competition, Boston Music Award for Outstanding Female Vocalist, Lilith Fair Emerging Competition Winner representing Boston in 1998 Lilith Fair, to name a few) she has generated critical accolades in such notable publications as Billboard, CMJ New Music Report, The Boston Globe and Dirty Linen.

Geltman has shared the stage with Sarah McLachlan, Morphine, Eric Burdon, Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, Aimee Mann, Freedy Johnston, Rick Danko (The Band), Emmylou Harris, Letters To Cleo, Old 97’s, Marshall Crenshaw, Patty Griffin and many more.

Over the years, Laurie has taught students of all ages and created curriculum for high school pop ensembles, rock and roll camps, music, songwriting and improvisation workshops in both Maine and Los Angeles. She has also mentored at-risk teenagers for many years with the non-profit organization Writegirl at their annual songwriting workshops in LA.  In addition to private lessons, Laurie taught guitar at New Roads Upper and Middle Schools in Santa Monica for nine years and has scored several independent films including the feature “Between The Miles.” Her songs are represented at a variety of synch music agencies and also writes for TV, Film, Ads and Video Games.  She is currently working on her 5th album and has added beginning production on Garageband and Logic to her skillset with her students.  She loves incorporating Songwriting into her lessons with any one who wants to go beyond learning an instrument and get into the magic of making music.

How did I get started teaching?
After many years as a recording/performing artist in Boston, I moved to  the coast of Maine during my touring years and started teaching when I wasn't on the road. It was there I realized the JOY I got from sharing my life-long passion and teaching in general.  I came to LA with three critically acclaimed albums under my belt, and almost immediately started teaching guitar/bass. I built my business from the ground up all through word of mouth.  I recorded an EP/CD and formed a new band LAYNE, but the music business was changing radically; as I wanted some stability in my life after 20 years, I found teaching a good fit for my soul. I could continue my musical life and pass it forward in a new way.  In addition to teaching privately all over LA, I enjoyed teaching guitar and ensembles at New Roads School in Santa Monica for 9 years in the MIddle School and Upper Schools.  Teaching songwriting and beginning production has been a natural progression for many of my students and I love to work with students on their creative side.