Michael Valeras

Biography

With over 25 years experience in guitar performance and education, Mr. Valeras has garnered a reputation as one of the most respected musicians, composers and guitar instructors in Nashville. Having honed his skills in the rich, musical breeding ground of the Boston area, he earned his B.M. in music education from Berklee College of Music and his M.M. in  performance from the University of Massachusetts. In addition, he spent five years under the tutelage of legendary Jazz educator, Charlie Banacos (Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz, Jeff Berlin).
Mr. Valeras has worked with many of the industry's most respected musicians, including Steve Vai, John Scofield, Billy Sheehan, Larry Coryell, Keith Carlock, Jeff Berlin, Kirk Covington, Ike Stubblefield, The Platters, The Coasters, Michael Whittaker, Adam Nitti, Wes Little, Brian Allen, Roy Vogt and Bob Harsen. Mr. Valeras is an instructor at the esteemed Guitar Workshop Plus camp, a contributing clinician for the D’Addario Education Collective, and he offers courses of private study to any musician, artist or writer who wishes to expand their musical vocabulary. Many of his former students have gone on to perform with some of the most well known names in music. In addition to his sideman work in the Nashville area, Mr. Valeras continues to push the parameters of modern jazz with his own project, The Mike Valeras Trio, which has released three independent albums and received notable press worldwide.