Travis Chastain

The Classical Guitarist Who Teaches Confidence First, Guitar Second

Travis Chastain grew up in Colorado and never left — at least not for long. He earned both his Bachelor's and Master's in Music from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music, completing his undergraduate degree in 2009 and his graduate degree in 2013. Along the way, his work as a classical guitarist drew attention from some notable figures in the field: Elliot Fisk, William Kannengeiser, and Ricardo Iznaola each offered praise, and Chastain earned acceptance to the New England Conservatory and the University of Southern California in addition to honorable mention in the 2010 Lamont Chamber competition.

Despite those performance credentials, Chastain built his career around teaching rather than the concert stage. Over the past seven years he has worked with more than a hundred students of varying ages and skill levels, covering classical, folk, and popular guitar styles. His approach, as he describes it, treats the instrument as a vehicle for something larger — patience, perseverance, and the confidence that comes from working through difficulty. That framing shows up consistently in what his students report.

Across nine reviews on LessonRating.com, every student gave Chastain a perfect five-star rating. The words that recur most often are 'patient' and 'encouraging,' but reviewers also point to specifics: lesson plans tailored to individual goals, clear explanations of technique, and an ability to make beginners feel at ease without losing rigor for more advanced players. Virginia W., whose son had already been studying classical guitar for two years before switching to Chastain, wrote that the experience had been 'terrific' and that she had already recommended him to others within a month of starting.

Adult beginners, in particular, appear to thrive with Chastain. Chad Henry, a self-described older adult student from Denver, noted that Chastain is 'patient, energetic, focused, upbeat, and tailors lessons to the student's individual needs,' adding that 'finding the joy and ease in music-making is one of his top priorities.' That balance — technical grounding alongside genuine encouragement — seems to be what distinguishes his teaching for students who might otherwise feel intimidated picking up an instrument later in life.

Chastain teaches in the Glendale area and works with students of all ages, from young learners to adults returning to music or picking it up for the first time. His training is rooted in classical guitar, which gives his students a foundation in proper technique and music theory even when they are learning folk or popular styles. For anyone in the Denver metro area looking for a guitar teacher with formal conservatory-level training and a track record of keeping students engaged week after week, Chastain is worth a close look.

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