Guitar Instructor Bio:
Tim Bertsch

​Tim Bertsch has been a disciple of the guitar and it's resonance since the age of 10. Having long since lived, composed and performed in three very different musical worlds, Timothy is equally proficient on the electric guitar as well as acoustic guitar/harp guitar. Heavily rooted in jazz, fusion, flamenco, rock, classical, blues and gypsy music his unique musical talents are equally as diverse.


Tim has been a longstanding member of the rock dynamo Jaded Mary, as well as a valued member of the seasoned jazz group H.D. Fusion, sharing the headliner billing with many national acts such as Halestorm, Buckcherry, Sevendust, Skid Row, Puddle of Mudd, Saving Abel, Filter, Helmet, The Tea Party, Tantric, Duff Mckagan's Loaded,  Jason Bonham, Adelitas Way, Red, Rehab, Local H, The Presidents of the United States of America, Powermac 5000, 10 Miles and many more. He has performed as a soloist at many festivals including Folklife, The Reno International Jazz Festival, and The NAMM Show to name a few. Tim has also been featured by Acoustic Guitar Magazine and Classical Guitar Magazine for multiple AG Video Sessions. His writings have been published by Acoustic Guitar Magazine most recently “Transposition for Musicians” released November 2017.  


Timothy's songs have had placement on The Discovery Channel including the series “Lords of the Car Hoardes” and his groups have received airplay on the Pacific Northwest’s biggest and most popular FM radio stations including 99.9 FM KISW, 104.9 FM THE BREW, 107.7 FM THE END and 95.7 FM KJR as well as college radio including 90.1 FM KUPS, 88.1 FM THE BURG and many more! In September of 2017 Jaded Mary was selected as 99.9 FM KISW's Loud and Local Band of the Week!




His versatility and competency on guitar, harp guitar, bass, mandolin, ukulele and sitar have made him an in demand studio musician as well as a sought after live performer. He is currently endorsed by Guild Guitars, Emerald Guitars, Orange Amplification, Peavey Amplification, EMG Pickups, DR Strings, Mogami Cables, Lehle, K&K Pickups and Shubb Capos. Timothy has also been featured as the EMG Pickups Artist of the Week as well as K&K Pickups Artist of the Month.


Tim studied music composition formally in college and received many outstanding soloist awards while performing with the Olympic College jazz band and vocal jazz groups. Timothy has long been a dedicated private music educator and in 2000 established the Sound Academy of Music school. His other interests include luthiery, musical physics, and a keen interest in the spiritual qualities of music.


"I've been fortunate to have studied with: Larry Coryell, Emily Remeler, Beppe Gambetta, Joshua Breakstone and John Stowell as well as many other masters of the guitar". As a musical composer, performer, and recording artist, Bertsch is always looking for untapped resources of musical expression and inspiration. His lifelong goal: "To live a life of expression, to leave a lengthy, meaningful catalog of my soul's finest resonances".