Our Instructors
Meet Our Instructors
Our Musicians have decades of experience in instruction and live performance. Notably, they have achieved great success in the music industry and continue to excel further with the same dedication that they bring to our Lesson Program. The Guitar Factory Lesson Program has become a successful program due to the dedication of these talented instructors. Get scheduled with one of them today!
Jim Levinthal
Drums
Jim Levinthal has been a passionate drummer since the age of 9. Throughout his educational career, he took part in everything from school ensembles to touring bands. He graduated with a degree in Jazz Performance from Villa Maria College, and has studied under John Fatta, John Bacon and Gary Rutkowski. Throughout his musical career, he’s performed all over the country, with shows in Western New York, New York City, Vermont, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Texas, and more. He and his bands have opened for nationally acclaimed acts such as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Godsmack, Lil Kim, Rusted Root, Nas, and more. Currently, he can be found playing in the Big Sauce Trio and the Jim Levinthal Band, as well as teaching drum lessons at The Guitar Factory.
Nick Norton
Guitar (6 & 7 string), Bass Guitar
- WNY People’s Choice Award – 2003
- Performed a Pantera song for Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul
- Performs with Fireborn
“Very much a perfectionist” when it comes to his craft, Nick is currently working on an untitled project that will be released soon. Inspired by Slash, early Metallica, Zakk Wylde, and Dimebag Darrell (to name a few), Nick’s guitar journey started at 12 years old. His persistence is credited for becoming the musician he is. Currently Nick can be found playing with Fireborn (www.facebook.com/firebornmetal), a local Death Metal band. A passion for Metal and Rock, with an appreciation for styles of music with great musicianship, Nick’s clients can expect to experience heavy fundamental and technique teaching to achieve their own style of play while having fun.
Kevin Helfrich
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Banjo
- Buffalo Music Awards – Best Original Guitarist in recording 1996
- Over 30 years of professional music experience
- Began a career in Instructing in 1989 and joined The Guitar Factory Lesson Program in 2006
Over the years, Kevin has learned that one is born to be musical, it’s in the DNA. The only decision then is whether to pursue it and to what degree. Kevin’s positive attitude transfers to his clients in his teaching. They can expect to progress at their own speed, encouragement, and not to feel pushed to be further than they are ready to be.
Gary Rutkowski
Drums, Snare Drum, Mallet Percussion, Latin Timbales, Congas
- Master’s Degree in Music
- Performance and production in 4 solo recordings
- College Level Musical Instruction experience in New York (Villa Maria College, Buffalo State College) and in Pennsylvania (Edinboro University)
- Performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic
- Written a book on Drumming Concepts and Techniques
Gary’s students can expect to learn strong fundamentals, the ability to read basic music, and to have fun playing the drums.
Haven Bartosiewicz
Piano, Voice
Haven Shin is a staple of TGF Sound Academy since 2015, inspiring students in Voice and Piano. Her musical journey began in California, training at the esteemed Musicians' Institute and Fullerton College. From N'Joy Choir to WNY's UB Jazz Big Band, Haven's musical odyssey is truly remarkable. Haven's teaching philosophy centers on igniting students' passions and achieving their goals. Mastering both keyboard and vocals, she helps students discover their musical fervor, drawing inspiration from Hiromi Uehara's commitment to excellence. Her advice to budding musicians is straightforward: find motivation and consistently practice and perform. Haven also emphasizes the importance of reading in mastering music. Beyond teaching, she performs weekly at her church.
Andy Cushing
Guitar, Bass and Banjo
Andy Cushing is an experienced instructor with a background in teaching guitar, bass, mandolin, ukulele, and banjo. Beginning his career in Nashville, Tennessee, he later expanded his expertise to Western New York, having previously taught at Hamburg Music and Music Exchange. Andy joined our teaching team in 2020, bringing his versatile skills to enrich our staff. Students appreciate his friendly approach and emphasis on music theory. Inspired by jazz musician Wes Montgomery, Andy actively performs with the "Full Circle Band."
Andy's available for guitar, bass, and banjo lessons on Mondays through Thursdays.
Dave Hill
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele and Piano
Dave Hill, a versatile musician from Seattle, began with piano lessons before finding his passion for guitar. Influenced by Wes Montgomery and Led Zeppelin, he developed a unique style. In the '80s, Dave moved to Los Angeles, refining his blues-infused sound inspired by Robben Ford. As a musician, composer, producer, and author, he's performed at prestigious venues and collaborated with renowned artists. With teaching experience at Musicians Institute and the Los Angeles Music Academy, Dave's guitar expertise is renowned. His recent solo album, "Two Seasons," showcases his diverse musicality, promising to captivate audiences with heartfelt compositions and expert guitar skills. Be sure to see Dave play live with his band The Dave Hill Group.
Dave is available for guitar, bass, ukulele, and piano lessons on Thursdays.
Cody Lange
Guitar and Beginner Piano
Cody Lange's musical journey began at Villa Maria from 2010 to 2015, laying the groundwork for his symphonic adventure. With over 15 years of experience, guided by TGF instructor Mike Willard, Cody emerged as a virtuoso guitarist. Specializing in metal, jazz, and rock, his expertise spans all skill levels, backed by a deep understanding of music theory. Now, Cody is excited to share his passion as a teacher, inspiring new generations of musicians and spreading the joy of music to all who listen.
Cody is available for guitar and beginner piano lessons Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays.