Reviews
Shown below is a collection of reviews (in chronological order) posted by students, a music transcription client, singing telegram recipients, and live music clients. The actual reviews are verbatim and not edited (except in some cases for obvious grammatical errors). You can click the link at the top of each review (if available) to see the original as it was posted on the respective site. If you are interested in seeing evaluations written by my college students, please click here. Although not all of my reviews are posted here, these are an honest representation. In all modesty, I have virtually always received high praise, with a few notable exceptions which were mostly based on unreasonable assessments. For example, I once received a low review from a university student who was shocked that I used the phrase "Oh my god", thinking that it was sacreligious. Of course, now "OMG" is used everywhere either in abbreviation or in full. I'm not perfect but I have always tried hard to do the right thing. I work very hard to teach according to students' needs and desires. I am very much a student-centered teacher.
(If you want to review JLA Music click here.)
During the covid crisis I started to do lessons online instead of in person. One of the ways I got referrals was through various 3rd-party tutoring websites. Below is a graphic, current as of Septebmer 23, 2023, that shows the reviews from one of thes sites, Wyzant. You'll notice that I received 243 5-star reviews and one 3-star review, the latter from a student who was not at all fair in her assessment, having unrealistic assumptions of what I could provide.) NOTE: Unfortunately these 3rd-party tutoring websites take a substantial cut out of my lessons fees - in the case of Wyzant, 25%. Please help me break free of 3rd-party tutoring websites and instead contact me directly (jla@jlamusic.com) if you wish to hire me as a tutor. I can assure you that you will get a better experience working with me directly rather than through tutoring websites.
On Varsity Tutors (no link avaialble)
Daniel T.
5 Stars
December 14th, 2023
Jeff is highly dedicated in teaching piano music. Also he is very experienced in piano skills and theory.
On Varsity Tutors (no link avaialble)
Anonymous
5 Stars
November 15th, 2023
Very dedicated and friendly personality with lots of experience on piano teaching. Thanks a lot.
On Wyzant
Gretchen
"Extremely Knowledgeable and Personable"
June 20th, 2023
My son is not comfortable with just anybody. I was so worried before his first session, but Jeff immediately put my son at ease and found a way to connect with him. He worked through each problem with my son, checking in often to check for understanding. After the session he even added some notes on his music website that my son could use as he continued to work on his own. We will continue to use Jeff regularly!
On Wyzant
Brenda
"Knowledgeable and very Passionate!"
May 31st, 2023
Jeff is a fantastic teacher as he is patient, kind and very knowledgeable. I really like his calm approach which keeps me relaxed and focus. Jeff has shared many good tips on piano posture and has given me wonderful in-depth information which will definitely help with my future lessons. I look forward to my lessons! He is very thorough and gives you everything needed to be fulfilled as a student. As a senior student I was apprehensive about learning to play the piano but I am very fortunate to have Jeff as my tutor which makes me happy that I have now pursued my dream. Jeff really knows his stuff you can not go wrong with him. Thank you Jeff.
On Wyzant
Kiri
"Incredibly knowledgable!"
May 16th, 2023
Jeff is the real deal! He knew so much about audio engineering and explained very high level concepts in a way I could easily understand. He communicated lots before the lesson to assess my needs and ensure that once we got face-to-face (or screen to screen I should say) he had everything ready to go in just under and hour. I know exactly who to go to if I need any sound recording or equipment help!
On Wyzant
Zun
"knowledgeable and encouraging"
April 2nd, 2023
Jeff is a knowledgeable music teacher. He is enthusiastic and very encouraging. My son enjoys his lessons and is looking forward to them. He is also a genuinely good person who is very helpful and has good communication.
On Wyzant
Mike
"Great tutor. Knows his stuff and encourages just the right amount."
January 19th, 2023
Really like working with Jeff, and will be doing more. He knows his stuff, and is easy to work with. Fun too. Good work. Thanks much (keeping typing here as it has to be 160 characters, Wyzant, you need to quit that)
On Wyzant
Alisa
"great class ! great teacher !"
January 16th, 2023
My son really likes classes. He is very excited about it! Looking forward learning more! Great relationship with a teacher !
On Takelessons
Robert G
Recommendation
January 16th, 2023
Jeff really knows music and how to teach, but most importantly makes learning fun.
On Wyzant
Daisy
"Very Knowledgable"
December 5th, 2022
I asked for help in certain areas of music theory I was having difficulty with and Mr. Jeff helped me out tremendously. I came in at such short notice but received better knowledge of understanding music theory way better than I have before.
On Takelessons
Brandon D
Recommendation
June 1st, 2022
Jeff is fantastic! He helped explain piano and music theory at the same time which was great. This guy is a natural teacher, he has an enthusiasm not just for the subject but for the student as well. I felt more capable in his presence and it drove me to learn and practice more than I would have otherwise.
On Facebook
Michelle J
Recommendation
September 14th, 2018
Jeff has been wonderful with my children. He is great at teaching and my children have progressed so much with him! I can't recommend him enough!
On Facebook
Breanna S
5 stars
September 20th, 2017
I have 2 kids that take guitar and piano lessons from Jeff. He is patient and really caters to the child's ability and how they learn. He makes lessons fun. He is highly recommended by me!
On Facebook
Marla D
5 stars
May 15th, 2017
Jeff is an amazing guitar instructor. He is always so enthusiastic, patient and excited. You can tell he truly loves what he does. He is a gifted musician, and an even more gifted teacher. My daughter (12) has been taking guitar lessons from him for over 2 years, and has grown so much as a guitar player in that time.
On Facebook
Suzanne N
5 stars
May 8th, 2017
Jeff teaches my six year old, and she loves it! She's learning so much, and he's great with her. Very patient with a rambunctious kindergartener.
On Google+
Ethan H
5 stars
March 20th, 2017
Incredible experience. I learned more here in a few months than college taught me in 2 years. The style of teaching works very well with individual's needs and goals. I highly recommend taking lessons here.
On Google+
Kim L
5 stars
March 20th, 2017
Jeff played a song to commemorate my mother's retirement and it really was the icing on the cake. He did a fantastic job and I was extremely impressed with his ability and professionalism. I would definitely recommend and use JLA's services in the future.
On Google+
Sarah R
5 stars
September 7th, 2015
Jeff was awesome with the wedding ceremony! He drove over 200 miles just to be at the rehearsal! The music sounded amazing and he was a pleasure to do business with! I would definitely recommend him for any service you may need!
On Google+
Neal M
5 stars
August 31st, 2015
Jeff played and sang two songs for our 40th wedding anniversary party. He had never previously performed the two songs that I chose. But, with less than a week to prepare, he did a stellar performance that had most everyone teary-eyed with happiness. My wife said Jeff's music was the best part of our celebration! Thanks to Jeff for making our evening so special.
On Google+
Gloria P
5 stars
June 26th, 2015
Jeff has greatly helped me through his transcription work on a complex piece on acoustic guitar by Ben Lapps. He works efficiently and respectably and has been an amazing help to me! The sophistication and clarity in his work is outstanding and his capability of producing the transcription within only a short time frame was a heaven sent! I would defiantly recommend his transcription service for any one in need and will defiantly be keeping JLA music in mind for any of my future needs. Thanks Jeff for your 5 star service and for your passionate and considerate attitude and communication towards your clients :)
On Facebook
Cathy C
5 stars
May 30th, 2015
We are THRILLED that our granddaughter is learning guitar from a renowned professional guitarist.
He enjoys teaching and is patient and kind with his students.
He has even made CDs featuring his students. This certainly was exciting for our granddaughter!
Yelp Review
Alex T.
Mission Viejo, CA
5.0 stars
May 12th, 2015
I took a few months of lessons with Jeff, and got exactly what I wanted out of them. He is very student-oriented, and will teach you what you want to know. I considered myself a beginner looking to transition to the intermediate level, and so Jeff was able to accommodate my request to learn more about music theory/chord progressions/etc than just rote memorization of songs. I'm confident that he would be a competent instructor for students of younger ages as well.
On Google+
Ray N
5 stars
May 11, 2015
Jeff has instructed me in classical guitar for three years. He has instructed my son for two years in piano. I can safely say Jeff is one of the most knowledgeable music instructors in Grand Forks and North Dakota. His expertise as a guitarist and pianist is impressive. I recommend him as a guitar or piano teacher for very young children to older adults (like me).
On Facebook
Paul Clark
5 stars
May 2015
Jeff taught me good technique with a kind sense of humor - thirty years later I still use the exercises he taught me as warm-ups, and the good form I learned from him has been the basis for everything I've done since as a jazz guitarist. He has equally big ears, brain and heart, and his playing is an inspiration for all who play, from beginner to veteran musician.
On Google+
Mary B
5 stars
February 22nd, 2015
I was sent a musical Birthday Gram from a friend, and I was more than pleasantly surprised at just how wonderful it was! Jeff was able to orchestrate the entire event with my co-workers and did such an amazing job providing a wonderful birthday surprise! I would definitely recommend JLA Music to anyone looking for quality, professional, and excellent service! Thanks so much, Jeff!
On WyzAnt
"Great tutor"
Dhan
Grand Forks, ND
5.0 stars
1/12/2015
I'm very much thankful to great tutor, Jeff. He is really so friendly and tutors lessons in a simple way and in simple language. He repeats the lesson as many times until we understand, which is his best quality, and which a good teacher should have. I would also like to thank WyzAnt for helping me to connect with great tutor, Jeff.
On Facebook
John Kevin Allensworth
5 stars
2014
Highly skilled musician who loves music of many genres. Jeff loves sharing his musical skills with every student! Want to learn a blues song, Jeff will give you patient and fun instruction. Same goes if you want to learn a classical piece by Fernando Sor! Or a jazz classic from the many great songs of the last 100 years. He can also rock out! But if just want to write your own compositions, Jeff will show you step by step how to create written music... and engineer and record your creations! A great guy and fabulous musician and teacher!
On Facebook
Kayla Jo Loughead
5 stars
October 7th, 2014
Jeff had the task of trying to teach me when I was in my young teenage years and when doing anything my mom wanted me to do was pure torture. Even with his best efforts and my moms nagging encouragement, I didn't practice nearly as much as I should have. That doesn't mean Jeff didn't teach me a great deal. I give Jeff credit for my appreciation of great musicians and love for classical music. He is one of the most accepting and encouraging people I've ever had the pleasure of having in my life. Overall, Jeff is a fantastic teacher and amazing person.
On Facebook
Susan Reck
5 stars
October 12th, 2014
Jeff is amazing. He's been a big part of his students success and passion for music.
On Wedding Wire
Private User
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
2014
Mr. Anvinson played for our wedding in 1995--yes, he's been around for a while. He brought his classic guitar and played as a prelude to the Mass and wedding ceremony. It was a real treat, and a lot of friends and relatives came up to me afterward and commented how they "never heard anyone play a guitar like that." Def. worth the money.
On Wedding Wire
Private User
5.0 stars
2014
I don't know of any other guitarist in Grand Forks with his versatility. I especially like his classic guitar selections. Adds a classy ambiance to the social setting without being overpowering, like when you have a full band or some guy wailing a sad song on a microphone.
On Wedding Wire
Lisa
5.0 stars
12/07/2013
We couldn't have been more pleased with Jeff's guitar playing. We had a classy Christmas office party and Jeff's playing was a big part of that! His music was so beautiful & EXACTLY what we were looking for. I loved listening to his Christmas music in the background all evening. He came early & did a great job setting up, tearing down & was very professional. I wouldn't hesitate to hire him again in a minute. He was very affordable & I think he doesn't charge enough! The quality was amazing.
On LinkedIn
Stig Helge Blindheim-Hansen
Owner, Feedback Studios
May 25th, 2012
Jeff is an excellent guitar and music teacher who cares about his students. He values all the creative processes that music contains, from effective studying new pieces of music, dynamics, to composing and improvising. He is a great positive force for his students, which creates a steady platform to learn on. I recommend Jeff highly.
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