Hi, I’m Michael Kelley
Guitar Instructor • Performing Musician • Lifelong Guitarist
MY STORY
Guitar has been part of my life for decades, and it’s still a major part of my life today. Like a lot of guitarists, my journey hasn’t followed a perfectly straight line. There have been times when I played constantly and times when career and life left less room for music, but I always came back to the guitar.
Today, I play lead guitar in an active cover band performing multiple shows each month throughout New Jersey and the tri-state area. Our setlists cover everything from Pat Benatar to Taylor Swift, spanning classic rock, pop punk, pop, and heavy metal. I’m constantly learning new songs, working through difficult parts, rehearsing with other musicians, and preparing for the next show.
Playing live has also taught me things that are difficult to learn from exercises alone. For instance, how to learn songs efficiently, develop solid timing, play with other musicians, recover when something doesn’t go exactly as planned, and become comfortable actually playing music, rather than simply practicing guitar.
That experience shapes the way I teach. Technique, rhythm, fretboard knowledge, and music theory all matter, but I believe they should ultimately help you do something with the instrument. Maybe that means learning the songs you’ve always wanted to play, improvising your first solo, playing with friends, joining a band, performing on stage, or simply being able to pick up your guitar at home and enjoy making music.
I also know firsthand that learning guitar never really ends. I still practice, take lessons, study other players, and work to improve my own playing. I think that matters as an instructor because I understand both sides of the process, the satisfaction of finally getting something right and the frustration of working on something that just doesn’t seem to click.
That’s what I want to bring to every lesson at Level Up Guitar Academy: practical instruction, real-world experience, and a genuine enthusiasm for helping each student become the guitarist they want to be.
MY APPROACH
I don’t believe there’s one right way to learn guitar. Some students want a clear, structured path that builds their skills step by step. Others come to a lesson knowing exactly what they want to accomplish: learn a favorite song, improve a difficult solo, develop their lead playing, understand the fretboard, or simply get past something that has been holding them back.
My job is to meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go. We’ll identify your goals, build on the skills you already have, and focus on the areas that will make the biggest difference in your playing.
I also believe learning guitar should lead to playing music. Technique, theory, scales, chords, and exercises are important, but they’re tools, not the end goal. Whenever possible, I want to connect what we’re learning to real songs and the music that made you want to pick up the guitar in the first place.
Whether you choose one of the structured 12-week Foundations courses or personalized lessons built around your own goals, the objective is the same: help you make real progress and become the guitarist you want to be.