John Petrucci

John Petrucci is best known as the guitarist, producer, lyricist and founding member of the two-time Grammy nominated progressive metal band Dream Theater as well as the guitarist and founding member of the acclaimed Liquid Tension Experiment. As a solo artist, John is a long standing veteran of Joe Satriani’s G3 tours along with Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Paul Gilbert, Steve Morse and Steve Lukather.

Born John Peter Petrucci on July 12, 1967, he grew up in Kings Park, New York, a small suburban town on Long Island where he began playing guitar at age 12. His early influences included Steve Morse, Al DiMeola, Steve Howe, Allan Holdsworth, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Randy Rhoads, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Alex Lifeson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Rush, Yes, Iron Maiden, The Dregs and Metallica. At age 18 after graduating from high school, he attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston along with schoolmate/bassist John Myung where they fatefully met drummer Mike Portnoy and quickly formed the nucleus of what was to become Dream Theater.

For the last 30+ years John has taken his band on an extremely successful and rewarding musical journey. With upwards of 12 million in gold and platinum CD and DVD sales including the 1992 RIAA certified Gold release Images And Words, Dream Theater continue to be the premier leaders in progressive metal music on an acclaimed, international level. Throughout their career, the band has garnered multiple Billboard 200 Top 10 chart debuts, received 2 Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance and have earned numerous accolades including their 1999 concept album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory landing the #1 position in RollingStone.com’s reader’s poll for Your Favorite Prog Rock Albums Of All Time and winning Band Of The Year in the 2014 Progressive Music Awards. Their ambitious 2016 double CD rock opera The Astonishing debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart. Most recently, the band’s 2019 release Distance Over Time landed at #5 on the Top Current Albums chart and #24 on the Billboard 200 chart amid worldwide critical acclaim. Since 1992, Dream Theater has performed in front of millions of devoted fans throughout a multitude of expansive world tours in support of the band’s 14 studio albums to date.

As a guitar player, John has been featured on the cover of numerous guitar publications throughout the world including most recently in the March 2019 issue of Guitar World magazine. He’s received many notable awards including the 2007 Guitarist of the Year as named by the readers of Total Guitar magazine and Best Metal Guitarist in the 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards poll in Guitar Player magazine. John was named Best Metal Guitarist again in the 2011 Guitar Player’s Reader’s Choice Awards poll and one of the 20 Greatest Metal Guitarists Ever in a 2011 poll for Total Guitar as well as being voted Best Guitarist in Classic Rock Presents Prog Magazine’s 2011 readers poll. In 2013 John was voted Best Shredder in Guitar World’s Reader’s Poll and in 2014 John secured his place in the magazine’s Hall Of Fame. John met his wife Rena Sands in 1989 and the two would later marry in September 1993. Rena was the guitarist and founding member of the all-female metal band Meanstreak. Rena continues her career as guitarist with the all-female tribute to Judas Priest appropriately named Judas Priestess who can be seen playing regularly throughout N. America.

In 1995 John released his first instructional video called Rock Discipline and was also a contributing columnist in Guitar World magazine’s Wild Stringdom monthly lesson series. A book by the same name would later be released as a collection of the lessons featured in the magazine.

In 1998 and 1999 John released Liquid Tension Experiment and Liquid Tension Experiment 2 respectively, along with Jordan Rudess on keyboards, Mike Portnoy on drums and the inimitable Tony Levin on bass. Both albums would not only prove to be worthy and enjoyable side projects, but also favorites among fans worldwide.

The year 2000 brought with it the unveiling of John’s record label, Sound Mind Music. Created and run by his wife Rena, it’s first release was An Evening With John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess, an acoustic-instrumental live concert of Latin/jazz improvised music for guitar and piano. The concert was recorded in June of that year at the Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center in Nyack, NY. The album was re-released in 2004 on Steve Vai’s Favored Nations record label and featured two additional tracks: The Rena Song and The Bite Of The Mosquito.

In 2001 John joined the North American run of the popular G3 tour with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. He performed as a trio with ex-DT band mate Mike Portnoy on drums and bassist Dave LaRue of Dregs/Steve Morse Band fame. John would subsequently continue on with legs in Mexico and Japan with Joe and Steve (G3 Live in Tokyo was released in 2005) South America with Joe and Eric Johnson, Australia with Joe and Steve, in North America in 2007 with Joe and Paul Gilbert and in South America in 2012 (DT bandmate Mike Mangini on drums) with Joe, Steve Morse and Steve Lukather.

In 2005 John released his first and much anticipated solo album titled, Suspended Animation on his Sound Mind Music label. The self-produced album of all instrumental guitar music featured Dave LaRue on bass and Dave DiCenso on drums. Drummer and re-mixer Tony Verderosa also contributed to the CD and can be heard on the song Tunnel Vision. The album was mixed by friend and long time DT producer/mix engineer Kevin Shirley. Many of the songs John originally debuted live while on tour with G3 would later make up the bulk of the CD.

Throughout his career, John has spearheaded the research and development of numerous signature guitars and guitar related gear with some of the most successful and respected musical instrument manufactures in the world. Among those include a complete line of signature Ernie Ball Music Man 6-string, 7-string and baritone guitars featuring the
critically acclaimed JP Majesty and JP BFR, the first ever signature Mesa Boogie JP-2C guitar amplifier and TC Electronic signature JP Dreamscape chorus/flanger pedal, signature DiMarzio 6 and 7 string Crunch Lab, Liquifire, Illuminator, Sonic Ecstasy, Dreamcatcher and Rainmaker pickups as well as signature DiMarzio JP guitar straps and the signature Dunlop JP95 wah pedal and JP Jazz III picks.

In 2015 John started ToneMission, a global initiative dedicated to tone-seekers around the world who’s goal is to foster greater communication and sharing amongst players and is committed to furthering the reach, development and proliferation of the art of the instrument throughout the worldwide guitar community.

In August of 2017 John hosted his first ever guitar camp at the Glen Cove Mansion on Long Island, NY called John Petrucci’s Guitar Universe. Guest teachers included Tony MacAlpine, Rusty Cooley, Andy James, Tosin Abasi, Andy McKee, Jason Richardson and Devin Townsend and was a tremendous success.

From January to May of 2018 John once again joined the G3 tour playing just shy of 80 shows together with Joe Satriani and Phil Collen in N. America and with Joe and and Uli Jon Roth in Europe.

In August of 2018 John hosted his 2nd JPGU camp at the Glen Cove Mansion on Long Island, NY. Guest instructors included Al Di Meola, Tony MacAlpine, Guthrie Govan, Rusty Cooley,
Andy James, Tosin Abasi, Jason Richardson and Jon Finn along with Mike Mangini and Dave LaRue.

In 2019 John was proud and honored to be named the recipient of the SENA Performer’s European Guitar Award and was presented the award at the prestigious annual event held in Bergen Op Zoom in The Netherlands. Past year’s recipients have been Brian May, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Vai, Slash, Steve Lukather and Joe Satriani. On September 12, 2019 John received the Chris Squire Virtuoso Award at the 2019 Progressive Music Awards held at the famous Underglobe in London.

Outside of music, John’s passions include bodybuilding, bearding, bbq, politics and all things Disney. He currently resides on Long Island, New York with his wife Rena and three children.

Rena Petrucci

Rena Petrucci, aka Rena Sands, is the wife of guitar legend John Petrucci and known for being a founding member of Meanstreak, one of the first female metal bands. She currently plays with Judas Priestess, A Tribute To The Metal Gods, as well as NYC’s Sabbathwitch. Rena’s influences include Joe Satriani, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Neal Schon, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, and her husband John Petrucci. Rena was also a member of Lifetime TV’s “Girls Night Out” pit band, and Long Island’s Mixxed Company. Her recording credits include Meanstreak’s Roadkill, The L’Amour Rocks album, The Other Side, The Dark Gift, The Mixxed Company Demos, and is currently in the studio working on original material with Sabbathwitch.

Tosin Abasi

The Nigerian-American guitarist is the founder of the prog-metal instrumental group Animals as Leaders. Abasi’s use of 7, 8 and 9 string guitars has enabled him to create a unique sound. Guitar World recently named Abasi as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time.

Mateus Asato

Mateus is an unbelievable player and his style is so unique so I’m sure he’s going to bring something very special to the camp. It’s also important that Mateus’ notoriety has come not from the old music industry ways, but through YouTube and social media, so he’ll be able to talk to younger players about making a name for themselves through those avenues.

Mateus (Nogueira) Asato was born in December 29th of 1993, originally from Campo Grande, a very cozy medium-size town located in Brazil. His passion for music started when he was 9, after being influenced by one of his cousins who had learned how to play the guitar. In a musical-religious way, Mateus grew up in a Brazilian Baptist Church, which also gave him lots of inspiration to keep learning and increasing his musical knowledge. After taken 2 years of private guitar lessons, he became part of the worship team at his local church, a fact that he considers very important to his learning.

In September of 2010, Mateus at the age of 16 won for his first & only time a guitar contest. The national contest was called “Double Vision”, and it had around 500 other guitar players participating.

Asato defines this contest as a very inspiring experience and a crucial factor to his professional’s choice years later. In March of 2013, Mateus Asato made his toughest decision of life so far. He moved to Los Angeles with the purpose of studying music to achieve greater things in music. After two years living in California, Asato graduated from Musicians Institute in Hollywood with an award of “2014 Outstanding Guitar Player of Musicians Institute” and it’s finally ready to share what he’s been looking for in America.

Mateus Asato has worked with great names in the music industry such as Adoração & Adoradores, Duranbah, Esteban, Israel Houghton, Jabin Chavez, Luan Santana, Mammoth, Storge2, Tiago Suguihara and currently tours with the American singer songwriter Tori Kelly.

Dave LaRue

Dave LaRue is best known as the bass player with the virtuoso pop group, Flying Colors, long-time member of the Steve Morse Band and Dixie Dregs, as well as also recording and touring extensively with Dream Theater guitarist, John Petrucci. LaRue’s technical prowess is admired among other jazz-fusionists, but his unique talent is the projection of his virtuosity with remarkable soul and feel.

LaRue continues to be the go-to bassist for many of today’s genre-leading guitarists, having worked with Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Vinnie Moore, The Hellecasters, Pat Travers, Steve Lukather, Mike Stern, Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons, Albert Lee, Paul Gilbert, Tony MacAlpine, Rik Emmett, Ace Frehley, Steve Vai and more.

Education is a big part of Dave’s career, beginning with an instructional column for Bass Player magazine (for whom he also served as a member of the Advisory Board). LaRue also does clinics internationally for Ernie Ball Music Man, and was an adjunct professor at Stetson University in Florida. When not on the road, he teaches privately at Bass Central in Orlando, and does lessons via Skype with students from all over the world.

In 2019, Dave recorded the new Flying Colors studio record, ‘Third Degree’, and the band soon followed up with the release of “Live In London”, in 2020. That same year, LaRue and long-time playing partner Glenn Alexander released LaRue-Alexander (L.A.X.), a unique project that saw the duo recording and performing live with drummer Van Romaine. Recently, Dave also performed on John Petrucci’s eagerly anticipated second solo release, ‘Terminal Velocity’. When not actively touring, Dave is working on his own second solo CD, playing with the Dave LaRue Band, teaching, and doing session work.

Kiko Loureiro

Kiko Loureiro was born in Rio de Janeiro but grew up in São Paulo, the largest metropolitan city in South America. His love for music came naturally, and at an early age, he was already a curious listener who loved spending time in the school library, consuming its vast music collection.

At the age of 11, he started having lessons on the acoustic guitar, but it was a few years later that he found his calling when he discovered the world of progressive and heavy rock, jazz and fusion. Kiko was fascinated by the music of many musical heroes such as Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Paco de Lucia, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Astor Piazzola, Hermeto Pascoal and bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden and Van Halen. They inspired him to embark on a journey that would make him an incredibly versatile musician, endless hours of practice leading to his unique style.

At the age of 21, Kiko Loureiro along with his band Angra released their debut album ‘Angel’s cry’. Recorded in Germany and released worldwide, the album went gold. Since 1993 Angra has released eight studio albums, three live CD’s, two live DVD’s, six EP’s, received two gold records and toured extensively around the world. The band is one of the most important Brazilian metal bands of all time.

Kiko Loureiro launched his solo career with the release of his debut solo album “No Gravity” in 2004. Kiko plays all instruments with the exception of drums on the album.
In 2006, Kiko released his second solo album, “Universo Inverso”. It was an album recorded in only three days, featuring some of the best jazz musicians in Latin America. In the same year, Kiko Loureiro was voted the ‘Best guitarist in the world’ by the Japanese press.

Three years later, a new release: Kiko’s third solo album, ’Fullblast’, a heavy and progressive piece, described as “a great instrumental journey for the fans of Satriani and Santana”. In addition to the release of “Fullblast” in 2009, Kiko Loureiro also presented his fusion project: Neural Code in which the band explores rock and jazz, fueled by Brazilian rhythms.

“Sounds of Innocence”, the fourth solo album, was released in 2012. The album combines prog metal, jazz, rock, blues and is again rich in Brazilian rhythms.
In 2013, Kiko records his first solo DVD “The White Balance” at the prestigious performing arts theater of São Paulo, Brazil, the ‘Auditório Ibirapuera’. The evening consisted of three sets, each set representing one of Loureiro’s preferred styles – the rock and metal, the acoustic guitar, and the Brazilian fusion.
Besides music, Kiko also began to devote himself to studying and teaching about the music business, marketing, and career development, speaking in events in major Brazilian cities for musicians and corporations.

The year 2015 came with big news: Kiko was invited to join the band Megadeth, one of the greatest metal bands of all time and one of the thrash metal’s Big Four, along with Metallica, Anthrax and Slayer. Together with Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson and drummer Chris Adler, Kiko recorded Megadeth’s fifteenth studio album in Nashville, Tennessee. Dystopia had its release in January 2016, and Megadeth is currently touring worldwide with full energy.

Throughout the world, Kiko has received highest rankings in countless polls as “Best Guitarist” and landed the front covers of the major guitar magazines, such as Young Guitar, Guitar Player and Guitar World. But it was in early 2017 that he got the greatest recognition in his career, and Kiko became the first Brazilian musician to receive a Grammy Award from the Recording Academy by playing in a rock/heavy metal band. At the awards ceremony, which takes place annually and unites the biggest names in the music industry, Megadeth won the Grammy Award in the category “Best Metal Performance” of 2016 with the single “Dystopia.” After a career of almost 25 years, Kiko Loureiro shows that he is a tireless and complete musician who is constantly looking to push his limits and discover something new.

Mike Mangini

Mike Mangini, Dream Theater’s drummer extraordinaire, JPGU veteran, and touring member of John’s Petrucci’s solo band, will once again be appearing at this year’s JPGU 3.0 in Anaheim, CA. Mike’s extensive touring and recording history includes albums and tours with Extreme, Annihiliator, Steve Vai and more. As Steve Vai’s drummer, Mike was also on the very first editions of the G3 tour, from 1996-2000.

Mike’s background and resume as an educator ranges from being a long-time camp instructor and drum clinician, to being a full-time professor at Berklee College of Music from 2000-2010. His career, teaching history, performance history, as well as teaching and band awards can be viewed on www.mikemangini.com. Between Dream Theater and clinic responsibilities, Mike supports his Rhythm Knowledge video courses with online classes from his studio.

Jason Richardson

Jason is a super-shredder, nearly beyond comprehension. Although being incredibly busy with his solo career and playing in All That Remains, he’s already found the time to join me for my first two camps and is very familiar with how JPGU runs, what to expect, and how everything works. Jason is a great teacher, a big supporter of this type of event and always eager to share his ideas and knowledge. I’m really happy to have him continuing on because he’s just a great guy and a monster of a player.

Jason Richardson is a young, accomplished shredder, who is a solo artist after making a name for himself in such metal bands as All Shall Perish, Born of Osiris and Chelsea Grin. Richardson has released an initial solo release, “I,’ which debuted at #1 on Billboard new artists/Heat Seekers charts and was #2 on iTunes rock #11 on all of iTunes. Richardson is currently writing the sophomore follow up for his solo material with drummer Luke Holland. He is now a full time member of rock/metal band All That Remains who have a gold single for the song “Two Weeks” and many chart topping radio songs. 2019 marked the release of his 1st signature guitar model with Ernie Ball Musicman as well. Richardson has made his mark as a guitarist, who is an extremely fast and technical player.

Andy Wood

My friend Paul Warren of the Raleigh Music Academy in Raleigh, NC turned me on to Andy several years ago. I watched his videos and thought, this guy is just unbelievable! Stylistically he’s able to sort of do anything, which completely blows my mind. It’s one thing to have a good handle on a style that you’ve developed or that you’re attracted to as a player, but to be able to have such a grasp on so many different styles is just so incredible. Andy is going to be another great addition to JPGU.

Andy Wood is recognized as part of the forefront of this generation’s top influential guitarists.

Andy is currently touring promoting JUNKTOWN, Wood’s new album which showcases Andy’s vast musical influences and abilities. When he’s not out with his own solo music, Wood is one half of the Blues/Southern Rock group “Kennedy Wood Band” with Nashville singer/songwriter Dave Kennedy.

Over the past decade Andy has toured professionally with a wide range of top billed Rock and Country acts, including most recently Locash, Rascal Flatts, Scott Stapp, and 10 Years.

Andy’s grandfather “Grampsy” introduced him to the mandolin and bluegrass at the age of 5. Touring the bluegrass circuit with his cousin and grandfather provided Andy with the necessary exposure that helped refine and sharpen his skills. At the age of 22, Andy was drawn into GUITARMAGGEDON, a guitar contest sponsored by Guitar Center. Andy was a face in the crowd of 3,400 other contestants, but he made his presence known by being crowned champion of this prestigious tournament.

As Andy steps out of the role of sideman and session player and into the center of the stage it’s clear that Wood has his own musical statement to make. The blend of Wood’s acoustic roots, Americana background and high level technical firepower from the electric side of his playing creates a sound that’s uniquely his.

Stephanie Bradley

Stephanie Bradley has been playing guitar for 15 years and teaching for almost as long. Since the moment she first picked up a guitar, she hasn’t put it down. Her instrument is truly a part of her, as you can see in the joy in her face every time she plays.

Stephanie has become a regular exhibitor at NAMM and other trade shows for a wide variety of companies, and has also been a hired gun for multiple bands; performing shows all over the country and at major festivals like Bonnaroo.

Stephanie has studied under some of the world’s top guitar players; Bruce Bouillet (Racer X), Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big/Racer X/Solo Artist), and Chris Broderick (Megadeth/Nevermore). And now, her skill and personality have made her an extremely sought after teacher herself, both online and in person.

While still teaching over 30 students a week, she also worked at award-winning composer Hans Zimmer’s recording studio where she learned how to compose for television and major motion pictures. After her time at the studio, she went on to find her favorite niche, consulting clients in the music industry and making high-quality promotional guitar videos for them. Stephanie has taken her guitar skills and mixed them with her digital media marketing skills to build not only her own guitar career, but help some of the biggest music companies and musicians with theirs. Alongside her husband, their company’s clients include Gator Cases, Levy’s Leathers, Steve Vai, Billy Ray Cyrus, ESP Guitars, Megadeth’s A-Tout Le Mond Beer, and many more.

Stephanie is currently working on an instrumental album, and she recently filmed a lesson series focused completely on speed-picking for JamPlay.com

Doug Doppler

With a disc out on Steve Vai’s esteemed Favored Nations label, tours supporting the likes of Michael Schenker, and a session background that includes Guitar Hero, Doug Doppler clearly took the lessons he learned as a student of Joe Satriani to heart.

In 2014 Doug launched GearTunes.com to connect the dots between gear, demos, and dealers. The GearTunes marketing platform helps brands get their message to market by engaging gear enthusiasts in new and innovative ways.

Doug remains a passionate music educator, offering Skype lessons, and teaching one day a week at the same Berkeley teaching studio he inherited from Joe Satriani.

Federico Miranda

Hailing from Costa Rica, Federico Miranda grew up listening to Rock, Classical and Latin music and fell in love with the electric guitar at age 12.

Federico has been active in the music scene for 25 years as co-founder and guitarist in Costa Rica’s rock band, Gandhi. Their newest release is the single “Boicot”, from the upcoming album “BOICOT:VICTORIA”. His instrumental solo album “Baula Project” brings to the table an eclectic blend of rock and jazz spiced with the Latin flavor of his home country. In “Baula Project”, he was inspired by marine life and aims to help preserve the endangered Leatherback Turtle.

As composer and music producer, some of his credits include music for the 2019 TV Series “Playing with Fire” (Telemundo/Netflix), the Award-winning Music Score for the Costa Rican film “El Regreso”, and composing and performing the music for the official opening of the Costa Rica National Stadium.

Federico joined the Dreamcatcher family after attending the first Vai Academy in 2014 – a journey he describes as a one-of-a-kind life-changing musical, spiritual and learning experience.

Chris Cisneros

Rock-Fusion guitarist, composer, and producer, Cisneros has dedicated over four decades to his musical calling with a special love for melding music from various genres with cultures from around the world. This passion fuels his desire to help players uncover the gift of musical self-discovery, connection through performance, and the art of listening.

Cisneros studied Classical guitar, Jazz, Flamenco, and traditional Indian music, and continues to learn each time he picks up the instrument. He enjoys performing with various groups ranging from small ensembles to Latin Jazz Big Bands, Rock bands as well Rock band backed by an orchestra and has been honored to share the stage with many well-known, accomplished names in the business.

Chris delights in being part of the Dreamcatcher Events team and particularly loves helping campers immerse, learn, and cherish the experiences for years to come. Cisneros is blessed with making many friends that will last a lifetime, and looks forward to making more new friends at this camp!