Guitar Teacher
Scot is a skilled and experienced guitar teacher and performer committed to studying the instrument and guiding others in this pursuit.
Studying, performing, and writing music since the age of eleven, when he took up the trumpet, Scot later played piano and finally turned to the guitar, exploring Rock and Jazz styles and later Classical and Flamenco under acclaimed guitarists Adam Schydlower (of Gypsy Jazz and World Beat groups Gitano and the Desert Prophets and Desert Moon) and Stephan Schyga (of Tel Arc Records’ celebrated “Jazzmenco” act La Vienta). At seventeen, Scot joined the Spanish dance company Danzas Españolas to perform flamenco guitar accompaniment for flamenco dancers; here he acquired some of his first performance experiences in the U.S. and Mexico.
At the University of Texas Scot further explored the nylon string guitar and Latin styles as he teamed up with Musicians Institute graduate Arturo Garibay to form the World Beat guitar duo Taber & Garibay. A mix of Flamenco, Jazz, Rock and New Age, the duo released the original album “Andromeda” in 1996 and toured extensively throughout the southwest, from San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, Santa Fe and Dallas to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, performing along the way for such notables as Quincy Jones, Levar Burton, Sam Donaldson, and Julia Childs. The duo also appeared on the Univision, TV Azteca, and Telemundo television networks.
In 2000, Scot relocated to San Diego and began performing as a classical soloist, as part of an original ambient instrumental duo with cellist Michael Alvarez, and in his own World Beat-inflected rock band, with whom he released the solo album “Liminal.” He released the albums “Gone” in 2002, whose opening track “We” made FM 92.1’s “Top Ten Local Songs of 2002,” and “Big Perfect” in 2005 (click for Scot’s website). In 2004, he founded the guitar instruction studio Paper Moon Music.
While establishing a school for serious music instruction, Scot joined Nashville guitarist Dan Dever to create a guitar duo that would encompass his eclectic musical interests. Under the name Paper Moon, the duo released the CD “Miniatures” in 2006, showcasing a blend of Latin Jazz, Gypsy Swing, Classical, Flamenco and Ambient compositions. “Little Venices” a followup CD was released in 2009.
Scot currently teaches guitar and performs at Paper Moon Music in San Diego.