Steve Morse (Nashville Session)

Steve Morse is a Guitar Player Hall of Famer, songwriter and bandleader of The Dixie Dregs, member of supergroup Flying Colors, as well as former guitarist of Deep Purple, Kansas and more. Morse’s position as a true legend in the guitar community has long been cemented, even being considered the “best guitarist…I’ve ever worked with” by world-renowned producer Ken Scott (Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Jeff Beck, David Bowie). Guitar Workshop Plus is very pleased to welcome Steve to the program.

Stuart Hamm (San Diego Session)

Stuart Hamm is perhaps best known for his recording and touring roles with guitar legends such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. However, for serious students of the electric bass, Hamm’s influence and impact on the instrument are far more extensive. Regarded as one of the most technically gifted bassists to have emerged out of the jazz/rock genre in the last thirty years, Hamm has released a string of impressive solo albums, along the way becoming an ambassador for virtuoso bass playing through his mastery of slap and pop techniques and his pioneering work with two handed tapping and solo bass playing. He has also released several successful tuition videos, beginning with Slap, Pop and Tap for the Bass in 1988 and his more recent series of videos for his Truefire ‘Stu U’ course. A graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Hamm has been awarded the schools ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’.

Rik Emmett (Toronto Session)

After a dozen platinum LPs from ’75 to ’88 with Triumph, Rik Emmett has released 25 more solo projects, continuing to write and record, ranging across many genres. Six decades in the biz landed him in five Halls and two Walks of Fame, with a few ‘Best Guitarist’ awards in various categories along the way. His poetry collection ‘Reinvention’ came out in 2021, followed by his memoir (‘LAY IT ON THE LINE – A Backstage Pass to Rock Star Adventure, Conflict and Triumph’) in 2023. His newest 2024 work is entitled ‘Ten Telecaster Tales’, a combination of ten instrumental pieces with an accompanying book that is arguably the most comprehensive attempt at liner notes in the history of instrumental fingerstyle electric guitar albums. Rik was a Guitar Player magazine columnist for over a dozen years and taught on the Humber College music faculty. The avowed family man has retired from touring and is currently living the dream in Burlington, Ontario. 

Phil X (San Diego Session)

Hailing from Toronto, Canada where it all began, Phil X started out like a lot of teenagers with a guitar in their hands and dreams of the big time. Well… although it took a really long time, it happened. He replaced Richie Sambora and has been the guitarist for Bon Jovi for the past 12 years. Phil first stepped into the limelight as guitarist for some very well known Canadian acts including Frozen Ghost, Aldo Nova, and Triumph. After relocating to Los Angeles, Phil founded the bands Powder as well as The Drills. He also became a much sought after session musician in LA and has recorded and worked with Tommy Lee, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Chis Cornell, Stewart Copeland, Edgar Winter, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Billy Gibbons, Steve Lukather, Steve Stevens, Matt Sorum and many, many others.

Dave LaRue (Nashville Session)

Dave LaRue is nothing short of a legend in his own right, his technical prowess admired among other jazz and rock fusionists with the projection of his virtuosity marked with remarkable soul and feel. LaRue continues to perform alongside Steve Morse not only with the Steve Morse Band, but also with The Dixie Dregs, and Flying Colors. LaRue has amassed a multitude of genre-leading bandmates including Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Paul Gilbert and many, many more. His recent performances with John Petrucci have only served to build an even stronger fanbase and reinforce LaRue’s status as the definition of bass musicianship.

Joel Hoekstra (Toronto Session)

New York guitarist Joel Hoekstra currently plays for Whitesnake and Trans Siberian Orchestra.  Joel is also well-known for his work with: Cher, Night Ranger, the Broadway show Rock of Ages, his fill in work with Foreigner, Accept, his annual sets on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, recording projects like Revolution Saints, Iconic and his acoustic shows with Brandon Gibbs.  He has also been a frequent columnist for Guitar World Magazine.  Over the years Joel has released 3 instrumental solo albums and 3 critically acclaimed albums with his side project Joel Hoekstra’s 13!  Most recently he was the guest guitarist on Dancing with the Stars (Hair Metal Episode) and played with Cher for her Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Greg Koch (Fort Lauderdale Session)

Milwaukee native Greg Koch has forged a successful career as “a guitar player’s guitarist.” He is not only a fiercely creative player with a whole trick bag of impressive techniques, ranging from Albert Lee chicken-pickin’ to Albert King string-bending to all-out Hendrixian abandon, he is also is a clinician for Fishman Transducers and his wildly popular “guitar test drive” videos (4,000 to date) for Wildwood Guitars of Louisville, Colorado have generated 50 million views. Koch also has a signature axe which was released in 2019 by Reverend Guitars, named the Greg Koch Signature Gristlemaster. The guitar colors were given somewhat humorous names like: Kochwork Orange, and Blucifer. He is also a best-selling method book author and video instructor for music publisher Hal Leonard and a contributing columnist for a variety of guitar magazines including Guitar Player. Guitar great Steve Vai, who released Koch’s 2001 album The Grip on his own Favored Nations label, heaped praise on his fellow guitarist: “Greg Koch is one of those rare guitarists that can blend various styles with a light-hearted approach and a tremendous amount of technique. Hearing him play is inspiring to a guitar player to try to achieve greatness on the instrument.”

Matt Schofield (Fort Lauderdale Session)

Matt Schofield continues to push the frontiers and reshape the boundaries of the British Blues tradition. Guitar virtuoso, singer, songwriter, producer and band leader. After 29 years of performing and 15 years into his solo career, Schofield’s impact as one of the most influential and distinctive guitarists of his generation is unquestionable. Along with his ever-growing fanbase from performances around the globe comes awards, industry, peer and critical acclaim–three time “British Blues Guitarist of the Year,” “British Blues Album of the Year,” induction into the “British Blues Awards Hall of Fame,” “Blues Album of the Year” and “Top Ten British Blues Guitarist of All Time” alongside Eric Clapton and Peter Green. Schofield’s inimitable playing and tone have inspired legions of guitarists. His authenticity, mastery of guitar, emotive vocals, and improvisational brilliance are brought to life with innovative original compositions. A renowned musical educator, Matt released “Blues Speak”, his highly acclaimed instructional series. As a clinician he has taught from Tokyo to Texas and all points in between. Don’t miss your chance to learn from this master firsthand and have the opportunity to jam with him in this setting.