Age: 17
Instrument: Guitar
Musical influences: John Mayer, Tom DeLonge (Blink-182, Angels and Airwaves, and Box Car Racer), Mike Kinsella (Owen, American Football), and No Capes.
Currently Working On: Port Amerigo (original band)
From Living Room to Live Performance
I started teaching Cam in April of 2014… SIX YEARS ago!
We did hour long lessons in his living room.
Time flies.
And I guess a lot of progress can happen during that time.
When I first began teaching Cam, it was Blink-182 ALL THE TIME. Fitting that Cam’s band, Port Amerigo covered Blink-182 in their debut performance at The Metropolitan in Annapolis on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
Now when I teach Cam, it usually involves helping him with song writing: focusing on theme, structure, and arrangement.
Given that Cam has surpassed me in a lot of guitar skills and technique… there isn’t much I can help him with as far as “normal” guitar lessons go. I knew early on that Cam would surpass me – it was evident is his practice regimen. For Cam, practice was an afterthought: It was alway about playing the guitar.
Many students struggle to find time to practice. It’s our job as music teachers to help give them the tools they need so they can practice on their own. It’s our job as music teachers to provide tips and structure to parents about how to get their kids to practice more (or at all). It’s our job as music teachers to try to instill a sense of joy and growth in all aspects of playing.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
With Cam – I never had to do any of that. For Cam the discipline, structure, and joy was already there, I just tried to give him resources and point him in the right direction.
When I asked Cam about learning new songs and practicing, here’s what he had to say
I sat in my room for like two days just trying to figure all of it out. That coupled with [my teacher] encouraging me to learn Sultans of Swing changed what direction I was going in as a guitarist and I think that’s pretty cool.
Deviating from the Norm
For those who don’t know, most guitars are tuned a specific way. This tuning doesn’t usually change – and if it does, it’s only slightly. Most guitarists learn how to play the guitar in this standard tuning. Alternate tunings can be scary and strange.
Put another way: Alternate tunings almost feel like playing a different instrument.
In order to be able to switch back and forth between various tunings, you need to have – among other things – a good ear for music and an ability to anticipate changes (not to mention a good amount of practice in each tuning).
I am not a fan of alternate tunings.
Cam is a fan of alternate tunings.
You can imagine my frustration when I would arrive at his home for a lesson, with NO idea what crazy tuning he would throw at me.
Despite my frustration, Cam persisted and practiced and kept at those alternate tunings. The result:
A collection of well-written original songs (available on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon) and an explosive debut-performance.
If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t be able to tell that Saturday’s performance was the first live showing of Port Amerigo. The band played 9 songs during their 45 minute set.
The band’s line up includes Cam Mona on guitar and vocals, Zach Hendrix on guitar and backup vocals, Sean Lonergan on drums, and Ryan Scheerer as the bands interim bassist.
What surprised me the most, wasn’t their comfort on stage, or the quality of the songs. What surprised me the most, was seeing and hearing the audience SING ALONG to the original songs.
To be 17 years old, and have fans that know the words to your songs must be a little motivating.
I’m looking forward to seeing what Cam does next and following the progression of his music and that of Port Amerigo’s
I suggest you do the same.
Check out their music on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon.
Follow them on Instagram here.
One last thing….
If you or your child would like to be featured in one of our “Student Spotlight” articles, just shoot me an email and let me know.
If you are interested in lessons, just contact us and we’ll help you get started, maybe one day your or your child can be like Cam!
