Girls With Guitars was established in 2009 in Seal Beach, CA as a side project to my career as a singer/songwriter. Having been in the music business since my early teens, I found that I was craving an outlet in which music could be entirely based around fun and discovery and less about marketability and sales.  When I thought back to what originally fired me up about playing, I remembered being 11 years old and writing my very first song on a very cheap guitar.  Thus GWG was born!  We've now been around for 4 years and have grown exponentially to include girls and guys of all ages and backgrounds.  The central theme is that music and the creation of it should be fun, rewarding, expressive, and above all, empowering.  We use today's popular music (ie Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Beiber) and the classics (ie Dylan, Dolly, and Clapton) to teach students the skills they need to write and perform their own compositions.  It has combined my love of music, writing, teaching, and producing.  We now offer lessons both in the Seal Beach area of Orange County and in the Topanga/Calabasas/Woodland Hills area of LA County.   

Thanks for visiting the site!  Give a call if you are interested in making music of your own...

Cheers,

Shevy Smith

In 2010, I was blessed and excited to bring Lakin Saucedo on board as a fellow instructor.  Originally from Riverside, California, Lakin draws from many artists combining live instrumentation with a stunning four octave vocal range.  As a hardworking singer-songwriter, Lakin brings incredible skill, patience, and experience to the table.  Students love her calm, steady instruction- and parents love venturing out to her shows!  Lakin was also a Division 1 basketball standout at Long Beach State.  Her ability to practice and succeed in so many areas makes her a great role model and teacher.  We are lucky to have her at Girls with Guitars!