Simon Kafka, guitar B.M., Manhattan School of Music "My teaching philosophy is that of low pressure and to have the students enjoy learning. I believe in teaching the student, not the subject" Originally from San Diego, California, Simon Kafka moved to New York to begin studies at Manhattan School of Music where he received his degree in Jazz Performance in 2005. After watching his elementary school friend play electric guitar, he fell in love with the instrument and has been playing ever since. Simon is a flexible teacher, conforming his style to each individual student. "My teaching philosophy is that of low pressure and to have the students enjoy learning. I believe in teaching the student, not the subject." Simon is open to teaching students of all ages, and takes a similar approach with very young children as he does with adults. "With all my students, I cater to each person's learning needs. I don't have one approach for a five year old, and another for an adult. I take each lesson and student as they are and formulate a plan from there." Primarily a jazz performer, Simon is comfortable teaching all styles of music including folk, rock, and blues. "I love jazz, rhythm and blues, folk, rock, blue grass, and classical. I enjoy all kinds of music." As a performer Simon particularly enjoys performing with singers as well as his own compositions. One of his ensembles, The East West Quintet was reviewed on allaboutjazz.com as playing with "musical integrity and youthful vigor….with the kind of resonating exuberance that is refreshing and hopeful." Simon counts Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan "as well as lots of rock bands and my friends and teachers" as his biggest influences, musical and otherwise. As a California native, Simon loves the beach and playing Frisbee and will be spending much of his free time in the next year working on his first major album release.