Don Parkhurst jr
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Insurance Check: Not ProvidedIf you’ve always wanted to play real rock and metal riffs—not kids’ songs or bland exercises—you’re in the right place. I’m Don, founder of RockStar Guitar Academy , and I specialize in helping busy adults and older teens finally plug in, turn up, and actually…
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About Don Parkhurst jr
If you’ve always wanted to play real rock and metal riffs—not kids’ songs or bland exercises—you’re in the right place.
I’m Don, founder of RockStar Guitar Academy, and I specialize in helping busy adults and older teens finally plug in, turn up, and actually play the music they love. My lessons are built around one big idea: learn songs, build real skills, and record your own tracks as you go.
How my program works
We don’t start with pages of theory and random drills. We start with your favorite bands and songs, then reverse-engineer what you need to play them.
In our lessons, we’ll:
- Build tight rhythm guitar skills using short, punchy riffs and power chords
- Break real songs into manageable chunks (intro, verse, chorus, bridge)
- Work on clean transitions, solid timing, and confident strumming
- Jam along with full-band backing tracks so it feels like you’re playing with a band, not just practicing alone
- Gradually record your own versions of songs so you can hear your progress and share it with friends and family
Over time, you’ll put together your own “album” of completed songs—proof that you’re not just dabbling… you’re actually becoming a rock guitarist.
What lessons feel like
Every lesson is focused, relaxed, and practical.You’ll always know:
- What to practice
- Why you’re doing it
- Exactly how it connects to the songs you love
We’ll build a simple, realistic practice routine that fits your life—no guilt trips, no pressure to practice three hours a day. Even 10–20 minutes of smart practice can move you forward if you’re working on the right things.
Why learn with me?
I’ve been playing guitar for over 40 years and teaching for over 20. Along the way I’ve:
- Studied with Alex Skolnick (Testament, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Savatage), and my other incredibly talented guitarist and teachers.
- Become a guitar coach and course creator for the Troy Stetina Music Academy, working alongside one of the most respected names in rock and metal guitar education
- Studied at the Hartford Conservatory of Music, giving me a solid foundation in music theory and technique that I translate into clear, down-to-earth language for my students
All of that experience gets distilled into one goal: helping you sound like the best version of yourself on guitar, as quickly and enjoyably as possible.
Lesson prices
Attendance & Cancellation Policy
Your lesson time is a reserved weekly spot, and I plan my schedule and materials around it. To keep things running smoothly and fair for everyone, here’s how cancellations and ending lessons work at RockStar Guitar Academy.
1. Missing a Lesson: Home Study Option
If you need to miss a lesson, I don’t just cross the week off—I still teach you during that time.
Instead of a live lesson, I will create a Home Study Lesson for you during your normally scheduled lesson time. This will usually include:
- A short, personalized video
- Backing tracks to practice with (where applicable)
- Practice notes / sheets
- Tabs or chord charts for your current songs
This Home Study Lesson counts as your lesson for the week and is covered by your regular tuition. There are no refunds or reschedules for missed lessons, since I’m still using that reserved time to plan and create your materials.
2. Stopping Lessons: Notice Required
If you decide to stop lessons, I require at least 2 weeks’ notice.
- You are responsible for paying for lessons during those 2 weeks, whether you attend them live or not.
- This gives me time to adjust my schedule and, if needed, offer your spot to another student on the waitlist.
Example:If you cancel a lesson and tell me at that time that you are not continuing, that lesson plus the following two weeks are still billed. Those two additional weeks represent the notice period that should have been given.
This policy helps me keep your time slot reserved for you, continue creating high-quality materials, and give every student a consistent, reliable experience.