Diego Retana
guitarist . Performer . educator.
About
I’ve been playing music of every style and genre for over 23 years and teaching for 15. My musical curiosity has led me to perform and record with singer/songwriters, pop, rock, funk, soul, R&B, jazz, and fusion bands, both originals and covers, as well as, pit orchestras, guitar ensembles, Celtic traditional bands, and worship ensembles.
I was born in Costa Rica and my family emigrated to the United States when I was 3. I grew up just north of Washington, DC in Maryland. When I was 7, I started playing the saxophone and singing. At the age of 13, I picked up my first guitar and taught myself to play using the internet and YouTube videos. In Highschool I decided I wanted to be a musician so I took music theory, piano, and guitar classes, and student conducted the string orchestra as a way to make music not only a part of my day to day, but the majority of my day every day. I would then get home and play guitar for an additional 6-8 hours. It was safe to say I was hooked. From there I went on to major in music at Frederick Community College and then transferred to Towson University where I received a Bachelor of Music with a focus on jazz/commercial performance.
Despite the formal training I received in college, my approach to teaching is more like how I taught myself the guitar, by listening to and playing along with, my favorite songs. My goal is to make music as enjoyable to my students as it is for me. In the past, I have taught at the Bel-Air School of Music, three Music and Arts locations in Maryland, and The Bullis School in Potomac, MD. Currently, I teach private lessons and coach both a Middle School Rock Band and a High School jazz/funk fusion band at The Dwight School.
You can catch me live playing around New York City as both a freelancer and with my various music acts including timesink and Natalie Barth, as well as, my Baltimore-based Celtic folk band, The Pilgrims of Deep Run.
Lessons
In addition to my work with The Dwight School, I also teach private lessons, both in-person and virtually, out of my home on the Upper East Side. I teach both electric and acoustic guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin, and Irish/tenor banjo to students of all experience levels. I teach students of ALL ages starting from age 8 and ranging up to 65+. I genuinely believe that it is never too late to start your musical journey. It’s all about taking that first step.
In the pursuit of making music as enjoyable as possible, I do my best to make sure my students are having fun and are learning what they want to learn. While I may be the one steering the ship, it is each student who ultimately decides where we are going and what we are learning. I also do my best to ensure that my students all understand that music is an art and a form of expression, communication, and collaboration and not a competition. While we are always trying to get better and better, that should never get in the way of enjoying the act of making music.
Lessons are purchased in monthly packages with a set recurring time each week.
If you are interested in taking lessons with me please reach out to inquire about rates and to set up a free meeting!
Diego.E.Retana (at) gmail.com
Videos
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Testimonials
Diego made the class very interesting and was encouraging. He also tailored the class to my goals.
Dan N.
Diego is a natural teacher with a God-given talent. My daughter has only been taking guitar lessons for 4 1/2 months, but I am amazed by her progress and accomplishments. She learns something new each week and walks out of each lesson with a big smile on her face. He is very kind, encouraging and knowledgeable with a fun and diverse repertoire. I highly recommend Diego.
Alida W.
Terrific guitar teacher. I am/was a beginner but I am confident that he could help anyone at any level.
Jamie P.
Diego is a wonderful guitar teacher for our daughter. He has fostered in her a love of music. She not only enjoys her weekly lessons but we never have to ask her to practice because she is always excited to perfect what she started during the lesson.
Ellen O.
Both my daughter and I wanted to learn how to play the guitar. Diego was always patient and kind and found the best learning methods for both of us. As time went on, I decided to stop taking lessons, due to time constraints, but my daughter continued to play until Diego changed locations. Diego was always the most polite and presentable staff member at the company. He was so great, that I asked him to play at my wedding! I highly recommend Diego Ratana to anyone looking for quality and integrity in the music industry.
Leanne M.