Glenn Alan Mader
Teacher
Private Lesson Offerings
Piano - Beginning to Intermediate
Guitar - Beginning to Advanced
Bass - Beginning to Advanced
Banjo (all styles) -Beginning to Intermediate
Violin/ Fiddle - Beginning to Intermediate
Viola - Beginning
Dobro - Beginning
Harmonica - Beginning
Mandolin - Beginning
Glenn's Biography
A lifelong musician, educator, and Augusta County native, Glenn Alan Mader brings more than five decades of teaching and performing experience to Queen City Music Studios. With family roots in the Shenandoah Valley spanning five generations, Glenn has been a fixture of the local music community since his teenage years.
Glenn's musical journey began when, as a young teenager, he pursued guitar lessons at Chuck Goodson's Music Store in Staunton, studying with Kenny White, a Chicago studio jazz musician. His talent and dedication quickly became apparent, and by age seventeen he was teaching at the same music store. In 1970, Glenn officially began his teaching career, later joining the faculty at Melody Lane Music in Staunton alongside respected local musician Buddy Thomas. He also taught at Dewey Jenkins’ Music Store in Waynesboro and toured throughout the region in the early 1970s with Joe Lapino's band.
Committed to expanding his musical knowledge, Glenn attended Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1972 to 1973, studying film scoring. He later continued his education at James Madison University, where he studied with renowned guitarist Pete Miller. Additional studies included guitar studies with Rick Whitehead of the United States Air Force Airmen of Note.
Throughout his career, Glenn has taught in a wide variety of settings, including public schools, private music stores, community programs, in-home lessons, and private instruction from his own studio. His teaching experience includes work at the Marie Reed Learning Center in Washington, D.C., as well as Music & Arts locations in Northern Virginia. He continues to share his knowledge with students of all ages and skill levels.
As a performer, Glenn's musical interests span country, rockabilly, worship music, classic rock, jazz, bluegrass, and traditional American music. He has performed alongside many respected regional musicians, including Ricky Strickler, Glenn Allen, George Allen, Teddy Lawhorn, Jr. Lawhorn, Buddy Thomas, and Brian Plemmons. He has also been a member of the Staunton Choral Society and has contributed to numerous community events, fundraisers, and local productions.
Glenn remembers fondly performing in the pit during ShenanArts' production of Sing Down the Moon in collaboration with The Frontier Culture Museum and with Stuart Hall School. The production featured both youth and adult musicians and later traveled to Bridgewater College, creating memorable opportunities for students and community performers alike.
Today, Glenn remains dedicated to his lifelong mission of making music and helping others discover the joy of music. Through joining the teaching staff at Queen City Music Studios, Glenn looks forward to inspiring the next generation of musicians while continuing to share the knowledge, experience, and passion he has cultivated over more than fifty years in music.
