Check Out Garrett Podgorski’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Garrett Podgorski

Hi Garrett, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started playing the guitar when I was nine years old. I was born in Chicago, and my family moved to Los Angeles so my sister, Breanna Podgorski, could pursue music full time. This is when my musical journey began. I would practice electric guitar for hours a day, locking my door and transcribing some of my favorite metal solos. My biggest influence is Randy Rhoads, and I remember learning every one of his solos. By the age of twelve, I was playing in a few different rock bands around LA, and landed my first big gig, which was being featured in the Randy Rhoads Remembered show in 2014 at the Observatory in Anaheim, CA. This was the biggest show I had played yet, and was extremely nervous to step out on that stage and perform, but it could not have gone better. I played the show with my first teacher, Janet Robin. After continuing to pursue the study of learning the electric guitar, I hit a plateau. I had learned everything I wanted to on the electric guitar, and didn’t know what to do next. I had released an instrumental metal album called “Limitless” when I was 14, and my mother sent it to a large group of people. Christopher Parkening, the head professor for classical guitar at Pepperdine University, received an email with a link to my album as well. He responded, saying he would love for me to attend a masterclass at Pepperdine University based around the classical guitar. I had never heard of the classical guitar, so was intrigued when the opportunity arose to listen to a version of the guitar I had never heard of. My mom and I drove up to Malibu, CA in February of 2017 and attended the entire 4 hour masterclass in awe. I never thought the guitar could sound so beautiful, and also be so powerful as a solo instrument. After the class, I asked Professor Parkening to teach me how to play the classical guitar. He referred me to the adjunct guitar professor at Pepperdine, Kevin Enstrom. I began taking classical guitar lessons at the end of my freshman year of high school and fell in love with the instrument. It was different than anything I had done before, and so difficult to learn. I told myself, “if I want a shot at this instrument turning into a career, I need to work harder than I ever have before.” I then read Professor Parkening’s book, “Grace Like a River,” which has his life story and Christian testimony. Throughout the book, he discusses his upbringing and how he became one of the best classical guitarist’s to ever walk this earth. After reading this book, I started waking up at 5 a.m. every day before school to practice an hour and a half, and I would practice another hour and a half after school., just like Parkening did. I said no to so many school activities, grew out my nails, and sacrificed so much to try to make it into Pepperdine to study classical guitar with Parkening himself. By the time I was a senior in high school, I had won multiple classical guitar competitions, including placing 3rd in the prestigious Parkening International Young Guitar Competition in 2019, as well as released my debut classical EP, “Villa-Lobos: 5 Preludes.” I then applied and got into Pepperdine, and I was so grateful to get to study with my hero. Actually getting to sit in a room with Professor Parkening and learn face to face from him was a dream come true. I learned so much from his program throughout my time with him. During my high school days, I only focused on the classical guitar, and rarely played any other styles. Throughout my time at Pepperdine, I continued my pursuit of mastery of the classical guitar, but also began playing electric and acoustic guitar again. I formed an indie band called “Byrdhouse,” started to write my own music on the acoustic guitar, and gigged around LA as a hired guitar player for genres such as rock, pop, and jazz. Although I had limited time to engage in activities on campus, I am so grateful I chose to practice guitar more than I ever had before. By the time I was a senior at Pepperdine, I was gigging 2-3 times a week around Los Angeles, was Christopher Parkening’s assistant, and started to advertise myself and gain notable traction on social media platforms such as Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube. After graduating Pepperdine in April, 2024, I have been doing music full time, as well as working as an assistant engineer at Harbor Studios in Malibu, California. I will be attending the University of Southern California (USC) in the Fall of 2024 to get my Masters of Music studying Classical Guitar Performance.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a hard road, but more fulfilling because of it. In high school, I said no to countless friends and extra-curricular activities because I had to practice. I was very strict on playing 3 hours a day, no exceptions. I also have been in the music scene of Los Angeles for over 10 years now, and have experienced the broken promises, rude people, and hardships that one must face when pursuing music out here. It is not fun to be lied to in this industry, but it is something you have to get used to. The one thing that keeps me going is my addiction to personal excellence. It is almost a drug, there is no other feeling like it. It requires so much work, but the feeling of accomplishment after a day of practice is like no other.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a versatile guitarist who is hired for live playing, sessions, and music related jobs in all genres. I specialize in classical guitar, but am known for my classical approach to electric and acoustic guitar as well. What makes me unique is my classical technique, because it is rooted in fundamental skills that make it possible to pick up any other genre with ease.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I love more than just guitar! I love surfing, camping, pickelball, lifting, and getting the opportunity to be alive in this cool world!

Pricing:

• Lessons – $60 an hour
• Sessions – contact me!
• Live Classical Guitar music – $100 an hour

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.garrettpodgorski.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrett.podgorski/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrett.podgorski/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@garrettpodgorski?si=bmN5f8C1fLnNQeZT
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/t25Tv
• Other: https://on.soundcloud.com/EapSe