Guitar Teacher Aims to Instill Love of Music

It all began when he was just 7 years old, and received his first guitar—a little plastic toy guitar. Orlando Feliciano of Ingleside has come a long way since then. 

Feliciano grew up in a very musical family and became a classical trumpeter. He has taught guitar lessons for more than five years to students of all ages. He directed music at the college level and performed in a band for about five years. He has been playing music for more than 40 years.

His latest adventure is closer to home. He recently started offering acoustic and electric guitar lessons through Felciano Guitars, using space at Songbird Studio, 564 Barron Blvd., Suite A, Grayslake.

"It is a great studio," Feliciano said. "The atmosphere there is so positive."

Studio owner Becky Cappelli teaches piano and voice lessons during the week. Feliciano will use the studio for guitar lessons on Saturdays.

His diverse background influences his teaching.

"I have both an academic and musical background," he said. "I use that to help people feel success in learning something new."

Feliciano teaches basic, intermediate and advanced electric and acoustic guitar lessons. 

"My style of teaching is a very positive," he said. "The majority of people want to play songs that they know and love."

He teaches music from the Beatles to Styx, from Eric Clapton to Taylor Swift to Latin Jazz pieces. He teaches in either English or Spanish. 

He was born and raised in Chicago. "I've always been surrounded by a good core of people who love music and love life!" he said. "We grew up in rough, gang-infested neighborhoods and music saved my life. It gave me something else to do."

His great-grandfather "LLalo" was a musician who also made guitars, so Feliciano's love of music came naturally. Most of his family, including his father and some siblings, are talented musicians. He appreciates his Latino American heritage and embraces all styles of music.

Feliciano said he is thrilled to now offer lessons in Grayslake.

"Grayslake is a nice town," he said. "I grew up seeing Mayberry on the Andy Griffith Show on TV. Grayslake reminds me of that."

He teaches students who generally range in age from 8 to adult. The 30-minute lessons are held Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Students come from throughout Lake County. For more information, visit www.felicianoguitars.com, call 312-524-9484 or email orlando@felicianoguitars.com.