Steve Vai

Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, visionary composer, and consummate producer who sculpts musical sound with infinite creativity and technical mastery. At 18 he began his professional musical career transcribing for, and then playing with, the legendary Frank Zappa. More than three decades, 15-million in album sales, and three GRAMMY Awards later, Vai has proven himself, in his own right, one of music’s true originals. While many artists fit easily into a single category, Steve Vai remains unclassifiable. He is a musical alchemist of the highest order. Throughout the years, Steve Vai has awed fans of all genres with his exceptional guitar skills and musicianship. He boasts career sales of over 15 million records, 13 Grammy nominations, and three Grammy wins and has toured the world as a solo artist, as a member of G3, and with Frank Zappa and bands such as Alcatrazz, The David Lee Roth Band, and Whitesnake. As an accomplished audio producer, Vai has written, produced, and engineered all of his solo albums, released via Favored Nations, his own independent record label that has released over 70 albums by legendary musicians such as Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Lukather, Eric Johnson, Billy Sheehan, Larry Carlton and much more. For Vai, virtuosity and versatility are not mutually exclusive. He has created music for blockbuster films, bestselling video games, national sports franchises, and corporate brand initiatives. His career accomplishments have earned him honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music and Musicians Institute.

Tommy Emmanuel, CGP

Two-time GRAMMY nominee Tommy Emmanuel CGP is one of the world’s most respected musicians. With a professional career spanning five decades, Tommy has garnered hundreds of thousands of loyal fans worldwide.

His unusual talent and life are common lore in Australia: born into a musical family, Tommy got his first guitar at age 4 and was taught by his mother. He quickly learned by ear, with no formal instruction, and has never read music. By age 6 he was working as a professional musician in the family band (variously named The Emmanuel Quartet, The Midget Surfaries and The Trailblazers). By the age of 10, young Tommy had already played his way across Australia.

In the 1970s, Tommy was in high demand as a session player and sideman: he played on recordings for Air Supply, Men at Work and dozens of other popular bands and artists, as well as thousands of commercial jingles and tunes. Some of his most notable appearances were on the Air Supply hit singles “Lost in Love,” “All Out of Love,” “Every Woman in the World,” and “Now and Forever.” Tommy soon became known as one of the best modern guitarists in Australia. In 1985 he joined one of the decade’s biggest Australian rock bands, Dragon, and recorded the platinum-selling album Dreams of Ordinary Men. It is for his successful solo career, however, that Tommy is best known.

In the 1980s, Tommy finally met and got to play with his hero, Chet Atkins, in Nashville, TN. From that magical moment forward, Atkins took him under his wing, and the influences are evident throughout Tommy’s music: in his personal philosophy, technical precision, virtuosic improvisations and unusually broad repertoire (encompassing not only country and bluegrass, but pop, jazz, blues, gospel, even classical, flamenco, and aboriginal styles). Tommy speaks of his mentor with the love and gratitude of a son, and his dream of recording with Chet Atkins came true in 1996 when the pair made an album titled “The Day The Finger Pickers Took Over The World” for which Tommy received his first GRAMMY award nomination.

Chet honored Tommy with the title of “Certified Guitar Player” (CGP) for his contribution to guitar music, a very rare distinction shared by only four other people in the world. After an amazing performance with his brother Phil at the Sydney Olympic Games Closing Ceremony, the world wanted to know who this mysterious Australian guitar virtuoso was. In 2001, Tommy released his first solo-acoustic album, ONLY and his popularity has grown by leaps and bounds aided by a non-stop touring schedule and increasing exposure in the media.

His album The Mystery earned him another GRAMMY nomination, and in 2008 Guitar Player Magazine and Acoustic Guitar Magazine named him Best Acoustic Guitarist and Gold Medalist in the in the Readers’ Choice and Players’ Choice Awards. Guitar Player’s 2010 Readers Choice awards named him Best Acoustic Guitarist for the second time.

Tommy Emmanuel is an honorary Kentucky Colonel, a CGP (Certified Guitar Player), an Order of Australia Medalist (AM) and the holder of both an honorary Masters Degree (MA) and more recently an honorary Doctor of Arts (DR) from Charles Sturt University in Australia in recognition of his commitment to rural Australia and his contribution to music education.

Nuno Bettencourt

Guitar virtuoso, singer-songwriter, and record producer, Nuno Bettencourt rose to international prominence as guitar player with the multi-platinum rock band EXTREME. To date, the Grammy-nominated band is one of the most successful rock acts of the early to mid 1990s selling over 10 million records worldwide. Nuno penned the acoustic ballad “More Than Words” that went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and “Hole Hearted” that reached #4 on the same chart.

Outside of EXTREME, Nuno is also a member of the guitar supergroup GENERATION AXE which features Nuno, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde and Tosin Abasi.

Nuno has written, produced and performed with many artists. He was personally recruited by Rihanna to be her guitar player and touring music director on 4 mega-world tours. Nuno performed with Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler at the 21st Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, honoring children’s rights activists Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai. Nuno has also preformed with Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Janet Jackson, Perry Farrell and many others.

In December 1990, Washburn Guitars unveiled the Washburn N4 Nuno Bettencourt Signature Series Guitar- a series of Bettencourt-designed guitars which endures today. The N4 is the flagship guitar for Washburn. Nuno also has his own signature series amp he designed through Randall Amplification called the NBKing.

Guthrie Govan

Guthrie has been part of an amazing wave of evolution on the instrument. I watch him play, and it’s so fascinating. It’s effortless, and instant inspiration – just the way he communicates musically. He has a vast storehouse of knowledge and intuitive insight on the instrument. It’s really great to have him.

Guthrie Govan (born December 27, 1971) is an English guitarist and guitar teacher, known for his work with the bands The Aristocrats, Asia, GPS, The Young Punx and The Fellowship, as well as his solo project Erotic Cakes. More recently, he has collaborated with Steven Wilson and Hans Zimmer. He is a noted guitar teacher, working with the UK magazine Guitar Techniques, Guildford’s Academy of Contemporary Music, Lick Library, and formerly the Brighton Institute of Modern Music. He is the 1993 winner of Guitarist magazine’s “Guitarist of the Year” competition.

Yvette Young

Yvette truly is a brilliant artist. Everything she does has an artistic integrity to it. A purity. There are rare artists that just march to the beat of their own uniquely creative inspiration. When you surrender to it, it’s the easiest road to walk because you’re only doing the things that your inner being is connected with. Those who discover the simplicity of marching to the beat of your own drummer experience a creative flow that is seamless and transparent. It’s powerful. And that’s Yvette.

Yvette Young is the guitarist and writer for the band Covet. In addition to her band, she has a solo project where she plays piano, acoustic guitar, and violin. Yvette grew up classically trained in piano and violin and taught herself guitar while in the hospital. After completing a Fine Art and Visual Performing Arts education degree at UCLA, she worked as an art teacher awhile before transitioning to a full-time musician. Because of her own personal experiences with using art and music as her own personal outlets, she is a huge advocate for music as a source of therapy and songwriting as a way to build self-esteem and find a voice.

Billy Sheehan

Billy and I go way back. Way back. He’s the most unique, fiercely fiery bass player that you’ll ever find. Billy has broken barriers multiple times. He’s introduced techniques and playing styles that no one has even been able to pantomime. I mean, you hear people try to play like the greats all the time, but I’ve never seen anybody even try to play like Billy. We’ve toured together a bunch, and we’ve always remained bulletproof friends. Having him at the camp is fantastic because he is also a great teacher. He’s capable of sharing unique ideas in ways that people can absorb. It’s always nice to be able to bein a musical situation with Billy.

Billy Sheehan has played bass on dozens of records and toured all over the world for many decades. His unique and original style of playing has been celebrated and documented everywhere. His playing, singing, songwriting, and contributions to his many recordings have resulted in millions of records sold, Platinum and Gold status worldwide, Reader’s Poll Awards too many to list, Number #1 hits, Number #1 Video’s, sold-out shows, and most importantly the mutual love, friendship and respect between himself and many millions of fans around the globe.

Starting in his hometown of Buffalo, NY in the early ’70’s with the now legendary hard rock trio Talas, he went on to join David Lee Roth in the summer of ’85 when Dave quit Van Halen to go out on his own. Along with Steve Vai & Gregg Bissonette, the legendary Eat ‘Em and Smile record and tour went on to platinum status and sold out shows everywhere. Leaving in 1987 to start his own new band, he founded Mr. Big, who went on to achieve a number one hit in fourteen countries, staying number 1 in the USA BillBoard charts for 3 solid weeks. Along with Mr Big members Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert and Pat Torpey, they recorded and toured the world for a decade more, till disbanding in 2002. During that time he found time to start “Niacin” a fusion/blues trio based around the Hammond B3 sound that featured drummer Dennis Chambers. He rejoined his old bandmate Steve Vai for several tours as well as Steve’s “Real Illusions” record and tour. After he released several solo records and much more, Mr Big reunited in 2009 and performed a sold-out world tour, and then recorded “What If…” in 2011…to rave reviews and another sold-out world tour.

Most recently Billy joined Mike Portnoy and Richie Kotzen to form “:The Winery Dogs”. Their first release in July of 2013 entered the BillBoard Top 200 Albums at #27…and has been received everywhere with spectacular reviews and sold-out shows.

With his history of live performances and/or recordings with Talas, UFO, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin, Steve Vai and now The Winery Dogs, he has had ahuge and undeniable influence on modern bass playing that has spread all over the globe, and will continue for many years to come.

Larry Mitchell

Larry is not only a fantastic guy – funny, friendly – but he’s also very dedicated to the art of guitar. Larry is a completely committed person when it comes to playing. I’ve watched him and jammed with him through the years. It’s always cool to see what he plays. His use of effects is creative and he’s a great teacher, too. There are players that seem to have it all, in a very well-rounded way. And that’s Larry. His phrasing…his note choice…it’s very obvious that he’s an very accomplished player, but he’s also one of those people that have the gift of being able to share and teach.

Larry Mitchell is a Grammy award-winning producer, engineer, and performer who has toured the world playing guitar with well-known artists including Tracy Chapman, Billy Squier, Ric Ocasek and Miguel Bosé. In his original compositions, Larry skillfully weaves guitar textures that showcase his virtuosity as a solo artist and ensemble player.

As an artist, he has released 8 solo records and won a San Diego Music Award for the best pop-jazz artist. Larry is currently touring promoting his 2016 release “The Traveler”

As a producer-engineer, Larry has won 26 New Mexico Music Awards in various categories from pop, adult contemporary, rap, rock, country World music and Native American. He won a Grammy Award for producing, engineering and performing on “Totemic Flute Chants” by Native American artist Johnny Whitehorse, who is better known as Robert Mirabal of Taos Pueblo.

He has many long-standing endorsements and relationships with companies such as Ibanez Guitars, D’Addario Strings, D’Marzio Pickups, Tech 21 NYC, Cord-Lox, Dava Picks, Antares tech, Sennhieser Wireless systems, Pro Bag gig bags, Ultimate Ears, Peavey, Majik Box, Fractal Audio and now with Knaggs guitars and Godin Acoustic guitars, Morrow Audio cables.tt.

Joe Robinson

Joe Robinson is an Australian born virtuoso guitarist and singer-songwriter. Based in Nashville, TN since 2010, Joe has performed over 2,000 concerts in 35 countries including presenting clinics at Berklee College of Music (Boston), Musicians Institute (Los Angeles), Belmont University (Nashville), performing on the Nashville TEDX stage, and winning the Australia’s Got Talent TV Series in 2008. He has released five studio albums to great acclaim.

Joe has a number of popular courses available with TrueFire including “10 Scales And Modes You Must Know” and his 12-week program Joes12 features guest mentors Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Rodney Crowell and more.

Dave Weiner

Guitarist, engineer, producer and four-time Grammy nominee, Dave Weiner, has been playing guitar and writing music for nearly three decades. Starting at age 10, within three years, Dave had an original band and released a full-length record; another one at age 16. After high school, Dave went to college where his cover band played countless gigs and upon graduating (with an Accounting degree!), he moved to Hollywood to attend Musician’s Institute: Guitar Institute of Technology. While at school, Dave interned for Vai’s manager. Through this work, Dave met Vai and eventually Steve heard a demo Dave had recorded and, impressed, invited him to join his band. That was 1999. 16 years, seven world tours, multiple live DVD and CD releases and Dave is still Steve’s go-to guitarist. Dave also has multiple records of his own released (Daveweiner.com), created and hosts the internet’s longest-running guitar education video series (Guitopia.com), and started the Philly Guitar Club (phillyguitarclub.com).

Jeremy Colson

Jeremy Colson is a world-renowned drummer. In addition to his notable work with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai beginning in 2002, Jeremy has toured across the globe with a long list of diverse bands and musicians, including Billy Idol, Marty Friedman, and Michael Schenker. In addition to touring, Jeremy is a sought-after session drummer who has recorded professionally with a wide range of rock, metal, and pop acts. Essentially a self-taught musician, Jeremy’s distinctive style of drumming originates from his love of progressive rock and metal. He credits his childhood obsession with progressive rock and odd-time signatures for his ability to master the intricate details of the Vai music catalog. After countless international tours and appearances, two full-length studio albums, a concert DVD, and Steve’s Grammy nomination, for “Now We Run” from the iconic live CD “Where the Wild Things Are,” Jeremy remains Steve’s “go to” drummer more than a decade later. In addition to extensive touring with Steve in Russia, Europe, and Japan this year, Jeremy will embark on a drum clinic tour of China. In the Fall of 2014, Jeremy will launch Colson Drums, offering an elite level of custom, private drum instruction from his studio in Burbank, California. When he is not playing drums, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his wife, dogs and cats, and mountain biking in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Phillip Bynoe

Three-time Grammy nominee and Emmy Award-winning bassist Philip Bynoe is a prolific recording and touring musician. Though best known for his work with virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai, Philip has played everything from heavy metal to R&B to classical, and has worked with the likes of Kevin Eubanks, The Tonight Show Band, Dorian Holley (of Michael Jackson), Slash (of Velvet Revolver), Charlie Farren, and Ring of Fire with Tony MacAlpine. Music has been the focus of Philip’s life since early childhood. His father played string bass in an orchestra and his mother played the cello. At age six, Philip started to study cello, before later moving to guitar. It wasn’t until he picked up his father’s electric bass in sixth grade that he found his “voice.” He went on to attend The Berklee College of Music in Boston and studied with Wit Brown. Eventually, Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme introduced Philip to Mike Mangini and soon, Philip and Mike were playing together in the Rick Berlin Band. It was Mangini who later got Philip an audition with Steve Vai, whom Philip has recorded with and embarked on many world tours with. In 2005, Philip received an Emmy Award for his work on the soundtrack for a remake of Reefer Madness. Philip’s versatility keeps him in high demand with an eclectic range of artists. He also teaches bass and ensemble work at the L.A. Music Academy in Pasadena.

Thomas Nordegg

Guitar tech legend!

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.

Stig Mathisen

Stig Mathisen is a guitarist and educator from Northern Norway, currently residing in Los Angeles. Stig has a Masters and a Doctoral degree in guitar performance from University of Southern California, where he graduated with numerous awards for outstanding achievements. He studied Classical guitar at Tromso University for over six years, and has worked extensively as a freelance guitarist and University lecturer in both Norway and in the U.S. An eclectic guitarist by nature, Stig is equally comfortable with rock, jazz and classical music, and has rubbed shoulders with numerous world-class musicians over the years. A passionate explorer and a relentless seeker of all knowledge pertaining to guitar, improvisation, composition, music history and music philosophy, he has been on a quest since his formative years to discover the inner mechanics and the deeper secrets of music. Stig is currently the Chair of the Guitar Program (GIT) at Musicians Institute, in Hollywood, California, and he has written several of the books currently in use as core curriculum at the college.

Stephanie Bradley

Stephanie Bradley has been playing guitar for almost 20 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. Her course on speed picking for JamPlay.com remains one of the most popular lessons on the platform.

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 has worked with Steve Vai, Fractal Audio, Diplo, Major Lazer, ESP Guitars, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve Wariner, Kenny Rogers and many more.

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!

Teresa Topaz

Teresa Topaz is an award-winning Southern Rock musical artist and a certified guitar technician who owns and operates Topaz Guitar Repair, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Teresa Topaz is the officially certified guitar tech and the only Nevada official warranty service center for Martin, Taylor, Santa Cruz, Huss & Dalton, Furch, Guild, Cordoba, ESP, LTD & Takamine Guitars. She recently became Lowden Guitar’s new certified technician and is 1 of 3 repair shops in the United States and the only female-owned and operated shop. Teresa is also a certified technician for Fender, Fender Custom Shop, Charvel, Jackson, Gretsch, EVH & Squire guitars. Topaz Guitar Repair was also awarded “Best Repair Shop” in Nevada by the prestige Awards for 2021/2022.