If you’re interested in learning a bit more about me…

I’ve studied under Jody Chalk (Hank Williams Jr., Riders in the Sky), D.C. classical guitarist Peter Fields, and Denver guitarist Steve Bondy. I’m comfortable with electric, acoustic, and classical styles of guitar, and specialize in composing. I also play and teach piano.

I began teaching music over a decade ago. Since beginning, I’ve mentored hundreds of students and given thousands of lessons to children as young as five years old and adults as old as 95. Several of my students have gone on to pursue music at Juilliard, American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Florida State University’s jazz program, Colgan High School for the Arts, Duke Ellington in Washington D.C., and Blues Alley’s youth orchestra. I’ve been fortunate to work with students who have special needs, such as autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disabilities, and social anxiety.

In 2018, myself and a group of fellow music teachers helped open Crescendo Studios – a full scale music school in the heart of Falls Church, VA. I’ve also co-authored a teaching handbook with dozens of useful resources for music instructors and their students, along with a collection of pieces and etudes for younger students.

Composing is both my favorite pastime and teaching subject. I’ve composed scores for award winning independent films and documentaries featured at the George Mason Film Fest and Uberfest. Currently, I enjoy writing and arranging solo pieces for the guitar, including studies, sonatas, and etudes for both my students and myself. My influences are numerous and scattered, but here goes nothing: Francisco Tárrega, Ludwig van Beethoven, J.S. Bach, Laurindo Almeida, Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Sergei Orekhov, The Beatles, Jim Croce, Steely Dan, Nile Rodgers, Johnny Marr, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the list goes on…

I’ve been an active performer at given points. You might have found me at taverns, wedding ceremonies, parties, and venues with a variety of bands, including my eponymous group: the Charlie Bare Quartet, The Get Readies, a 10-piece Latin jazz ensemble called La Gente, and Take the Cake, a cover band specializing in weddings and private events. Besides music, I’m a fan of reading and writing, tea, boxing, restoring old junk, and spending time with my wife and cat.