Guitarist, composer, teacher, and author with over 40 years of musical experience, Steve Girardi is the founder of River Guide Music.

As a teacher, Steve is qualified in the areas of theory, composition, and advanced improvisation. He also has the unique distinction of being an authorized Sandole method instructor– an honor given to him by Maestro Dennis Sandole after years of extensive study. He has since guided students to be accepted into some of the finest colleges and universities in the country including New York University, Eastman College, Berklee College of Music, and the Peabody Institute and Conservatory. Moreover, many Girardi students have gone on to become accomplished touring musicians, including Mihali Savoulidis and CJ Colandrea.

As a performer, Steve can regularly be heard in any number of musical settings and genres from jazz clubs, rock venues to showrooms around the New York metropolitan area.

As an equally impressive composer, Steve he has produced and released two critically acclaimed CD’s “Within Inside” and “Blue Sky with Tears.” Additionally, his original music can be heard in the short film “Bartleby” by New Waves Productions.

He is the author of the book Vth Position “The Essential Guide to Guitar Sight-Reading”. https://store.bookbaby.com/book/vth-position

Educational Background: Dennis Sandole, Bill Walton, John Abercrombie, Berklee College of Music, Rowan University and Mannes College of Music.