Steve Siekkinen was my ukulele teacher with the Arlington Continuing Ed program last year. He was from the outset engaging and enthusiastic in the songs that he chose for our class to perform and in developing our musical skill on the uke. He brought a number of pop classics and current songs in increasing chord complexity as the weeks advanced, even tailoring practice scales of notes and chords to improve ones playing ability. I am still practicing these exercises a year after his class and find it amazingly helpful. I found Steve to be a great teacher who could play by example, had a contagious love for music and most important a great guy who is fun to be around. Here’s hoping Arlington will offer advanced ukulele workshops in the future where people of differing abilities can hang out, jam a little and learn with Steve as the maestro. Sign me up!

I have been taking guitar lessons for almost a year with Steve and have made more progress in 9 months than all the 3 years prior trying to learn on YouTube with online instructors.  I feel like I have discovered a superb and really significant talent.
Not only is Steve a great guitarist, and knowledgeable about every aspect of the instrument, but he is also a great instructor, with a really canny sense of when to let you struggle through something and when to jump in and give more instruction.  I look forward to our time together every week.
Steve is also familiar with virtually every style of music there is.  This versatility, when combined with his skill for instruction and general music talent makes Steve a really excellent find!
He will get you playing immediately, and customizes all of his lessons so you’re not just getting some cookie-cutter lesson that the previous student got. He literally went to school for this!

Steve clearly has a high level of mastery of music, and is able to share that with students on whatever level is appropriate for them.
The level of my beginners’ class was perfect. While the students in my class were at different levels of “beginner” (no knowledge of music at all vs strong background in music but new to the instrument), Steve was able to give each student what they needed to learn and improve. I am very pleased at how much I progressed in the 8-week class. I learned to play a number of songs, but more important to me is that I learned how the instrument works, and I learned techniques to continue to improve my playing. I now have an understanding of the notes, strings, and how different types of chords are built on the ukulele, which I was having trouble grasping when I tried to teach myself.
There is opportunity to practice during the lesson, and Steve helpfully points out mistakes and ways to improve your playing. Questions are welcome as well.
Steve is the perfect combination of professional and super chill.
I looked forward to every lesson, and felt accomplished and excited about what I learned after every lesson.

I think the lessons were paced very well.  Steve explained how to read and understand the music.  We were given thorough introductions to the music/songs that were we then able to practice at home.
Steve is very patient and encouraging.  Plenty of opportunity for questions and willing to answer the same question more than once!
Steve is very welcoming, encouraging, non-judgmental, everything you would want in a teacher.
Thank you for the great introduction to the ukulele and for all your encouragement!  I love being able to play even the very simple songs (I am still a beginner after all).  It gives me great personal enjoyment.

Steve is a great guitar teacher.  I’ve enjoyed beginner lessons for more than a year now.  He is patient, professional, prompt, and especially good at emphasizing the skills that I want, such as particular songs, styles, and at the pace that I want.  Learning from him is easy and fun.

Steve is an excellent teacher and guitar player that really knows his stuff.  I like that he can tie in new skills to songs I know, which makes practicing so much more fun.  Very organized and fun to play with.

Steve has been such a wonderful guitar teacher!  He really cares about what you want to get out of the sessions, is receptive to different song ideas, and is super flexible with appointment bookings.  He’s very passionate, engaging, and just a great person!

Our one son was more interested in keyboard than guitar and Steve was easily able to switch and teach him keyboard. Steve works with my 8 year old to make up their own songs which my son loves! Steve lets my 8 year old sons determine the pace and even pick the songs they want to learn.  This makes it interesting for them and not frustrating. Steve is a joy to be around.  He has a great relationship with my twins. We are very pleased with the quality of lessons that Steve provides.  He works so well with kids.  If I had the time to take lessons I’d take them with Steve!