Teaching
Guitar Lessons
My lessons is tailored for each student and I teach a variety of styles; I do not believe in a ‘one size fits all’ model. I will teach any age and any skill level, so long as the student is willing to learn. If you are interested in lessons, please click the contact button to the right. I look forward to hearing from you!
PRICING
I charge $25 for a 30-minute lesson and $50 for a 60 min lesson.
ABOUT ME
I have been playing guitar since the age of 13. After my teenage years I decided to pursue music full time. I have degrees from Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, and University of Cincinnati (CCM). Up until recently I worked and performed in Grand Rapids, MI. Although I still perform in West Michigan frequently, I have recently relocated to the Twin Cities with my wife where I work as a freelance musician and teacher.
My musical tastes vary. I play solo classical concerts, weddings, gigs with bands, and in many pit orchestras for musical theater productions.
SOME BACKGROUND
Over the past 10 years, teaching has become a passion of mine. When I first picked up the guitar at 13, all I want to do was play. I was and still am fascinated by the guitar. The shape, the frets, the strings, and the sound were all I thought about. When I first began teaching 10 years later, it was for practical purpose. I have come to the opinion that a musical education is a vital part of a liberal education. Every day I teach, I see my students growing and maturing as people and it is humbling to watch. I am always excited to teach and even more excited to learn from my students.
Contact Me
If you interested in guitar lessons or are in need a guitarist, please contact me using the form below.
Performances
UPCOMING
October 22, 2024. Jap - Thompson Duo. St. Paul's Episcopal Church Feeding the Soul of the City Concert Series. 12pm. Muskegon, MI.
PAST PERFORMANCES
2023
March 8, 2024. Jap - Thompson Duo. Hackley Public Library. 5:30pm. 316 W Webster Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440.
February 28, 2024. JapThom Duo. Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall at the University of Minnesota. 7pm.
December 19, 2023. Solo DMA Recital. Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall at the University of Minnesota. 7pm.
Friday August 25, 2023. Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet. First United Methodist Church. 7:30 PM. 429 Michigan Avenue South Haven, MI 49090
Tuesday March 21, 2023. Letitia Jap and Kyle Thompson. Classical Music Night. 7 PM at Book Nook and Java Shop.
Sunday January 29, 2023. Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Series: Modern Marvels. 3pm Dalton Center Recital Hall-WMU
Friday February 3, 2023. Letitia Jap and Kyle Thompson. First Fridays. 5pm at Grace Lutheran Church. Milwaukee, WI.
Sunday February 5, 2023. Letitia Jap and Kyle Thompson. Free @ 3 Concert Series. 3pm First Reformed Church. Holland, MI.
2022
Thursday October 18, 2022. Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet. GRCC Internation Guitar Series. 7pm in the Lynn Maxwell Keller Recital Hall at Grand Rapids Community College. 142 Ransom Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Thursday October 28, 2022. Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet. 730 Concert Hall at Hope College. Holland, MI
Sunday July 31, 2022. Solo Concert. Sunday Strings Concert Series. 2pm at Frederick Meijer Gardens. 1000 E. Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525.
Sunday May 1, 2022. Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet. Milwood Concert Series, Milwood United Methodist Church. 3919 Portage Rd, Kalamazoo MI 49001. Free Admission
Tuesday June 14, 2022. Book Nook and Java Shop. Jap - Thompson Duo. 7 PM. 8744 Ferry St. Montague, MI 49437.
Sunday April 10, 2022. Kyle Thompson and Letitia Jap. Music by the Fireplace. 3pm at Spring Lake Library. 123 E. Exchange Street, Spring Lake, MI
Thursday March 24, 2022. Solo Concert with guest Letita Jap on violin. 7pm in the Lynn Maxwell Keller Recital Hall at Grand Rapids Community College. 142 Ransom Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Tuesday March 22, 2022. Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet. 12:15 in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 1006 Third Street Muskegon, MI 49440.
Tuesday March 15, 2022. Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet. 7:30pm at Aquinas College in the Kretschmer Recital Hall.
Tuesday March 8, 2022. Book Nook and Java Shop. Solo Performance. 7 PM. 8744 Ferry St. Montague, MI 49437.
About Me
MY NAME IS kyle
At the age of thirteen I began playing the guitar and never looked back. Three college degrees and hundreds of gigs later I am still playing, and I love it. I am dedicated to the craft and treat every performance like a job to be taken seriously, whether it is a small concert or a show in a room with hundreds of people.
Jap-Thompson Duo
Jap-Thompson Duo is…
A dynamic guitar/violin duo base in Grand Rapids, MI that performs throughout the Midwest. Their eclectic program features tango, American folk, and classical music.
Letitia Jap enjoys a career as a performer and teacher. She finds most joy using music to connect with people. Letitia has been a featured soloist with orchestras like the Seattle Symphony, Austin Civic Orchestra, Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra, and has performed solo recitals at festivals such as the Chelsea Music Festival, Lake George Music Festival, and the 21st Century Artist Initiative. Additionally, Letitia has served as concertmaster with the Seoul International Community Orchestra, the Boston Chamber Orchestra, and various other orchestras.
Letitia received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Music from the New England Conservatory, and her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the Eastman School of Music.
Kyle Thompson resides in Roseville, MN and makes his living as a performer and teacher. He has received degrees in music from Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, and the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, OH. Since finishing college, he has kept an active schedule in West Michigan.
He regularly performs solo classical guitar concerts, as a member of the Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet, and works as a freelance musician. He also currently serves as a teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota where he is pursuing his doctoral studies in music performance.