About Paulie
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Paulie is a full-time professional musician and Senior Instructor with the SDML Academy of Guitar, headquartered in Lexington, KY. He began teaching in 2006 and has personally enrolled and coached over 300 students across all skill levels and styles. From 2014 to 2016, he led the launch of SDML’s Chicagoland branch, certifying two new instructors and expanding the reach of the Academy. In 2016, he was appointed Program Director for SDML, taking a leadership role in curriculum design, instructor training, and student success systems.
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In 2023, Paulie and his wife Missy opened Studio 223 in Shelbyville, KY—a creative space that blends music, art, and language education under one roof. Studio 223 quickly became a hub for students, families, and community partners, offering group classes, private lessons, art events, and outreach initiatives. As Program Director and lead guitar instructor, Paulie has introduced programs like S.A.G.E. (Synthesis Achievement in Guitar Education), a unique sash-based recognition system that helps students track progress and celebrate accomplishments with real-world skill benchmarks.
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Paulie teaches students ages 6 to 70+ across every style—rock, folk, pop, country, metal, jazz, bluegrass, blues, and more. His teaching philosophy avoids rigid curriculums or required books. Instead, everything is customized, efficient, and connected to what the student already knows. The result? Faster progress, deeper understanding, and more fun. Most students not only hit their goals—they surpass them and end up doing more than they imagined.
Former students have gone on to start bands, write and release original songs, tour professionally, land music scholarships, or simply fall in love with playing music. Paulie’s proudest achievements come from helping each student unlock the version of success that matters to them.
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In addition to teaching, Paulie performs regularly as The Paulie Guitar Show, coordinates live music for community festivals, and partners with local organizations like Operation Care and Shelby Main Street to bring music education to underserved groups. He’s also a proud graduate of Leadership Shelby, where he helped design community resources to connect residents to essential services.
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If you’re looking for a guitar instructor who’s passionate, practical, and totally invested in your musical journey—Paulie’s your guy.
A few words from Paulie's students...
Thom Suggs
Georgetown, KY
"I've played stages from Memphis to Charleston, SC to Cincinnati, and a lot of places in between. Seriously, the SDML system works. Excellent instructors and outstanding results."
Kerri Grendel
Grayslake, IL
"I highly recommend the SDML Academy. Learning guitar has been an amazing experience. Paulie is an incredible teacher. He always keeps it fun and mixes the right amount of theory and fun guitar pieces while still learning songs of choice. The SDML teachers rock!"
Missy
Shelbyville, KY
"My children have started taking classes with Mr. Paulie and LOVE the classes. The teacher is relatable, fun, and doesn't pressure students. Can't recommend SDML highly enough."
Tim Mallon
Grayslake, IL
"I had been, frankly, wasting money for several years on online bought classes, and in person teachers. That all changed with my first SDML teacher, Paulie. I made more gain in my playing than ALL the years of 'instruction' that preceded it, combined. If you REALLY want to learn to play guitar, then do yourself a favor and get SDML instruction."
Tracey Mitchell
Lake Villa, IL
"I think this is a great program and Paulie is an excellent instructor. My son loves working with Paulie. He especially likes the recitals were he gets to showcase his personal talents."
Jordan Dennis
Lexington, KY
"I took lessons from Paulie Felice at the Doo Wop shop. Paulie is relentless; in a good way. He naturally instills confidence in his students, lets you learn at your own pace and can adjust his style to any particular learner. All in all, there can't be a better place to begin or continue learning guitar than SDML."
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"I was a student under Paulie at SDML, and I was very pleased with my experience. They take the intimidation away from learning guitar and encourage you to really get into playing from the beginning. Paulie had a very 'learn by doing' approach rather than memorizing stuff from a boring book.
Everyone was extremely friendly and encouraging. I would highly recommend SDML Academy of Guitar to anyone."
Kyle
Lexington, KY
"Paulie is an excellent teacher with the patience to handle even the challenging students. My daughter took guitar lessons for 2-years. Abbi has ADHD and it's often difficult for her to focus. Paulie recognized her difficult days and made the necessary changes in her program.
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Thanks, hoping she can move forward in music again real soon!"
Shelly
Lindehurst, IL
"SDML is BY FAR the best guitar instruction on the planet. I've played guitar for 27 years and when I watched how this method of teaching worked my jaw hit the floor. With other instructors my daughter would make slow improvements but once Paulie started teaching her each lesson brought massive improvements. If you want to learn guitar Paulie is the teacher you need!!!!"
Jason Reynolds
Grayslake, IL