Meet the Instructors

At the Sweetwater Academy of Music, our professional instructors have decades of performing and teaching experience to draw from. While all are passionate about their instruments - and about passing along that passion to their students - their collective talents span a wide range of playing styles and musical genres. No matter what your age or the style of music you're interested in, just give us a call, and we'll match you up with the instructor that's perfect for you.

	Steve Bell - Guitar Steve's love for the guitar started in the '60s during those formative years of Rock 'n' Roll! Throughout his extensive playing experience, he has grown to appreciate all forms of music, actively playing rock, country, gospel, blues and more. Steve started teaching lessons at the young age of 14, and hasn't stopped since - continually refining his proven teaching methods, and offering his knowledge to eager students of all styles and levels.
	Kenny Taylor - Guitar Kenny has been teaching guitar, mandolin, lap steel, and ukulele for more than twenty years with a particular adoration for '50s guitar stylings, rockabilly, surf, The Beatles, bluegrass, honky tonk, finger-picking, and more. He's toured extensively both nationally and internationally with his rockabilly band, The Blue Moon Boys, getting the chance to open for such guitar legends as Dick Dale, Link Wray, and Brian Setzer. A BMI affiliated songwriter whose songs have been recorded by rockabilly great Ronnie Dawson and more, Kenny still plays out quite a bit locally and in the Indianapolis area with a number of projects including original bluegrass with K.T. and the Moonshine band, instrumental surf guitar with the Tikiongas, honky tonk punk with Cadillac Zac & The No Money Downs, and as one half of rockabilly duo, Deuce.
	Eric Clancy - Piano/Synth A professional musician for over fifteen years, Eric began his piano studies with jazz bassist and piano player Carl Rowan, and later continued learning with the great Kenny Werner. He continues to refine his cross-genre talents by playing on countless local/regional/national and international projects as a studio musician, while also gigging solo and with a number of bands in the Northeast Indiana and Chicago regions. A former adjunct professor of Jazz Theory at Huntington University, Eric is passionate about all things music - from technique to theory to recording and production. And, while certainly a master of all-things-jazz, Eric loves keeping up with - and teaching! - all the latest in keyboard and synth technology.
	Adam Guingrich - Piano/Synth A student at Indiana University - Purdue University: Fort Wayne, Adam is a Business Major with an already completed Music Minor. A graduate of Leo High School, Adam entered college with a wide range of musical awards, having studied piano under the direction of Dr. David Leichty, Steve Walley, Dr. Masson Robertson, and currently Eric Clancy. Adam has contributed his talents to IPFW's popular Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos, and he continues to play a number of his own personal gigs throughout town.
	Dave Nelson - Bass A whiz on both electric and upright bass, Dave received a host of prestigious awards during his early playing days which propelled him to continue his playing career at Purdue. As a Boilermaker, he played with a number of variety and jazz ensembles as well as local professional acts before he moved to the DC area. There, Dave continued to gig at many area clubs and hotels with hometown favorite Earl Jackson, before he got invited to tour with Rhythm House and eventually open up for Grammy-winning band, Petra. A versatile player, and ardent about passing on his love for music, you can see Dave regularly as he frequents Eddie Merlot's and Club Soda with a local favorite band, Dana Christy's Trio.
	Doug Laughlin - Electronic Drums/Percussion Doug has been playing drums professionally since the age of 14, having performed and/or recorded with an impressive roster of artists including Ransom, Gravity, Jay Fox, Francie Zucco, Petra, New Millenium Jazz Orchestra, comedian Heywood Banks, and many others. He's also opened up for a diverse set of national artists such as Ronnie Milsap, Jars of Clay, Canned Heat, The Grass Roots, Starbuck, and The Oak Ridge Boys. Currently a part of two bands - Nostalgia and the Island Vibe band - Doug enjoys playing a wide variety of music, and is committed to the education of aspiring musicians.