Katie Graves is a 23 year-old guitarist from Columbus, Ohio. This past year, she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Performance Degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Katie has taught private lessons for over 6 years, and specializes in all things guitar. She has experience playing in the studio, on-stage, and in the pit orchestra. Outside of teaching privately and attending Berklee, Katie has experience transcribing music for publication, editing arrangements, and providing injury rehabilitation for fellow musicians.

Experienced with students from 7-63 years of age, her teaching philosophy is that the only difference between a master player and a beginner is time and dedication. Katie approaches each lesson with a growth mindset, encouraging every student to go after what inspires them to pick up their instrument–whether it’s writing, arranging, or learning new material.

As a young, female guitarist, and a founding member of the Berklee Women in Guitar Collective, Katie understands how important positive representation is. In and out of the lessons studio, she seeks to uplift and inspire all musicians. Regardless of genre or style, she provides a solid basis of technique and theory to help every student achieve their personal and professional goals.

Katie is a gifted performer with strong knowledge of the guitar. She is able to collaborate with other professionals or perform in a solo role. She is committed to excellence as a person and professional.

Katie’s Teaching Philosophy: “My teaching philosophy is that time and dedication make a master player. There are no secrets, we all have access to the same notes, it’s just a matter of becoming familiar with all the information we have at our fingertips. I approach each student and lesson with a growth mindset, anything you want to learn, you can so long as you put the time into it.”

What’s been the highlight of your professional career — like your biggest spotlight moment to date?
“I’d have to say when I got to play a couple tunes with my heroes at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society here in Nashville this past year.”

What does being a “Mentor” mean to you and why are you excited to step into this role?
“To me, being a mentor means guiding students towards their own goals as musicians and individuals. I am excited to pass on the knowledge I’ve gathered from my past mentors and my education alike.”

What type of music did you grow up listening to? How did it influence your artistry?
“My parents played a mixture of everything for me growing up. I listened to everything–Fusion, R&B, Country, Rock and Heavy Metal. We used to put on my dad’s old CD player that could shuffle the tracks, and it would range from Dolly Parton to Radiohead and then an Anita Baker track. It taught me that the common thread between all these songs persists. Every guitarist I heard on those tracks had mastered the basic concepts of time, chord progressions, and melodic content. We all have access to those same building blocks and just by rearranging one or two pieces at a time, we can end up with incredibly diverse compositions.”

Where is your favorite local spot? 
“I get a kick out of the Frothy Monkey.”

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
“Before I picked up a guitar, I wanted to be a veterinarian.”

If you could meet one author/performer/creator who would it be and what wold you ask them?
“I would love to meet George Benson. I would ask him to play a tune with me.”

Salty Treat: Chips & Salsa

Sweet Treat: Reeses Cups

Fast Food Restaurant: Whataburger

Sit Down Restaurant: Any Mexican Restaurant

Coffee Drink: Iced Vanilla Latte

Movie/Show: The Sopranos

Place to Shop: Aldi

Candle: Anything Fire

Musician/Band: Chet Atkins

Travel Destination: Mexico

Gift cards I love to receive: Starbucks, Guitar Center, Target