Scott Castonguay is a Washington DC area guitarist known for his virtuosity, versatility, and reliability. Like many young players, he played with friends in the garage, in the basement and eventually on stage. He studied with a variety of private instructors through high school, and when he didn’t have an instructor he continued with studies and practice on his own. He enrolled in music classes at NorthernVirginia Community College in the early 1980’s where he studied classical guitar, jazz guitar and ensemble, as well as music theory. He had the good fortune to meet and work with such luminaries as Charlie Byrd, Keter Betts, Paul Bollenback, and Webster Young while at N.V.C.C. During his college years he freelanced, experimented with small ensembles and rock bands, and was a member of Kaleidoscope Big Band. He began working as a leader when he formed his jazz trio in 1991 which went on to play in a variety of venues around the area for many years. As a freelance artist Scott has accompanied the likes of Al Wilson and Pat Upton as well as many regional artists. He’s also worked with a variety of bands and musical projects over the years covering many styles including but not limited to pop, rock, soul, r&b, blues, funk, jazz, reggae, and much more. He’s done everything from jam sessions to pit orchestra to clubs and beyond. Scott continues to perform in several projects he’s currently involved with as well as studio session work and freelancing. You can find him playing in and around the DC area with several different bands at venues in the region, but also occasionally further away in neighboring states. He was asked by his friend and former bandmate and composer James Cotton to take part in the recording of the soundtrack for a locally produced feature film entitled “Spent”, which was released June 14th 2016.

      

      Scott has been teaching private lessons since 1984 to the present. Starting in 1989, he started teaching at Music & Arts which lasted until 2020. In 1998 he brought his lesson program to Classic Axe Guitar Gallery in Gainesville Va, which continued until 2018. He spent about 5 years teaching at Jessica’s Studio in Manassas Va. From 2020 to 2022 he was on the faculty at Potomac Music in Lorton Va. Also, from 2020 to the present, Scott has been teaching remote lesson’s via Zoom. Throughout his teaching career he’s also taught in students homes, as well as hosted students in his home studio. Students have ranged in age from as young as 5 to 85. Many have gone on to continue their studies in college and/or perform as professionals, and even become private instructors themselves. 

     

       Scott was fortunate to have the opportunity to start teaching at ROAM near the end of 2022, and is very excited to continue meeting and teaching new students of all ages and skill levels!