“Sawyer Ikeda is a Bay Area native and Los Angeles-based guitarist who performs and teaches with passion, enthusiasm, and positivity. Sawyer first picked up the guitar when Guitar Hero introduced him to Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, and Joe Satriani. Out the gate as an aspiring guitarist, Sawyer was featured in DownBeat Magazine when his band was named 2013’s “Junior High Blues/Pop/Rock Group of the Year.” The music obsession had taken hold, and from there, Sawyer dove headfirst into progressive metal, where the likes of Polyphia, Intervals, and Nick Johnston compelled him to develop his technical chops at Berklee College of Music’s Summer Guitar Sessions.

There, he was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to return to Berklee’s 5-Week Music Performance Intensive the following year. Meantime, Sawyer committed to upping his performance game by posting daily riffs as “guitargasms” on Instagram—a personal challenge that he maintained for four years straight and which helped land him a spot at the famed GRAMMY Camp LA. Sawyer earned his Bachelor of Music in 2021 from USC Thornton’s rigorous Popular Music Performance program, where he studied under the legendary Patrice Rushen and Paul Jackson, Jr. In addition to technique and performance, the curriculum included music history, theory, aural skills, arranging, and production to refine him into a thoroughly well-rounded, diverse, and authentic musician.

Sawyer also honed his skills as a four-year private instructor with the USC Community Engagement Program, where he was known for exceptional student attendance and retention. Sawyer gigs regularly in LA and has performed nationally and internationally with established artists including Sophie Cates (opening for Omar Apollo on the Speed of Sound Tour) and 2-time GRAMMY nominee Alex Anwandter as well as upcoming pop sensations Ayoni, Maude Latour, Will Jay, and EMME. Equally at home on stage, in the recording studio, and on set for music videos and TV shows, Sawyer also spent three years working for the iconic guitar manufacturer Fender, where he transcribed and created guitar, bass, and drum backing tracks for more than 650 songs for the music learning platform Fender Play. Under the artist name “guitargasms,” Sawyer also recently produced and released his debut solo instrumental guitar EP “flair.”

Lessons with Sawyer are entirely individualized and tailored to students’ unique musical interests and goals. Ultimately, he aims to equip students to chart their own musical journeys—from mastering acoustic campfire songs to 3-per-string tapping licks!—and foster a genuine love of making music.”