A Chicago native, Emilio picked up a guitar at the age of 12 with his dad at a local music store. Fueled by the excitement and energy he got from classic rock, Motown, and 90s alternative, guitar soon became a dedicated passion. Despite focusing on film at NYU, he minored in music and dedicated himself to guitar and performance from his very first days in New York City.

Since then, he recorded and shared the stage with The Four Tops, Glen Hansard, Melvin Davis, Dennis Coffey, and many others. He has recorded, performed and toured internationally with the Milo Z Band, an NYC funk institution for over 30 years. In addition to teaching at New York City Guitar School, he can be found playing private parties, wedding ceremonies, and receptions with The Storytellers of NYC, Flying Ivories, and Imperial Cities. He continues to write, record and perform original music; primarily with Brooklyn-based indie rock band Anacortes and Chris Ams and the Favorite States, an R&B band composed of his best friends from college. Outside of music, Emilio enjoys following basketball, hosting a film discussion and appreciation podcast, and keeping up with his four year old son.

As a teacher, Emilio specializes in classic rock, blues, R&B/funk, fingerstyle, pop, beginner/intermediate jazz and classical, songwriting and theory. He focuses on embracing guilty pleasures, focused practicing, stepping out of your comfort zone, and making sense of the music that excites you. Emilio is proud to have been a member of New York City Guitar School’s incredible community of devoted teachers and staff for over ten years and counting!

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