"Although your musical ability is given by God, it is up to you to cultivate that talent so you can offer your best to Him." Rich Severson , based on Matt 25:14-30
About Rich Severson
Originally from the L.A. area, Rich has been playing professionally and teaching guitar for over thirty years. His education includes years of college and private instruction with a variety teachers including Mitch Holder, Ted Greene, Joe Pass, Charlie Shoemake to name a few. He feels education is a continuing process, there's always more to learn. Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Howard Roberts, Ted Greene and Larry Carleton have all influenced his playing.
Rich wrote three books for a major publisher Dale Zdenek/ Belwin Mills/Columbia providing him the opportunity to work with other great artist/authors like Tommy Tedesco, Joe Diario and Ted Greene. After teaching at GIT/Musicians Institute, in Hollywood, CA, for three years he developed and published his own home study guitar school type curriculum available on his website www.GuitarCollege.com which has helped over ten thousand students improve their playing. Rich has won honorable mentions and awards in songwriting and served as president of the Ventura County Producers and Songwriters Guild. Touring for three years with "Dick Clark's Good Old Rock and Roll Show" he had the opportunity to perform with Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Little Anthony and many other great, old time rock and rollers. After moving his family to the Yosemite/Fresno area he taught guitar and directed the jazz band at Fresno Pacific University for two years.
Being a well-rounded player, Rich is comfortable playing a variety of styles including jazz (his favorite), blues, rock, fusion, country and solo fingerstyle. He performs at local venues in a number of different scenarios; as a solo guitarist, with his jazz trio or quartet or smooth jazz quintet and also with an eleven piece little big band.
For over fifteen years Rich has been playing guitar in church. Serving as the band director and guitarist at Northside Christian Church for seven years and currently plays at Northwest Church in Fresno. Rich is committed to raising the level of musicianship in the Christian church today. He travels throughout the U.S. and Canada instructing and playing at variety of Christian worship conferences, workshops and seminars. Rich is also endorsed by Hofner Guitars which takes him around the country to guitar shows, workshops and clinics. Rich also hosts an annual Guitar College Jazz Workshop in the Yosemite area.
The years of experience and knowledge he can share with you will
help you be the player you always dreamed you'd be.
Rich has taught at the following Worship Conferences during the years indicated:
International Worship Institute, 2000-8
Christian Guitar and Bass Conferences, 2001-8
Christian Musician Summit, 2004-9
Break Forth, Canada, 2005-6, 09
Thriving Musician Summit, 2007-9
Christrian Musician Summit Southwest, 2009
Inspiration Technologies, East and West 2005
Unite in Worship, Canada 2006
Saddleback's Purpose Driven Worship, 2006-8
Worship Leader, 2007
