Jackson V  
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Drums, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Mandolin, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, R&B, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, New Age, Soul, Punk

My spark of inspiration to teach comes from my years performing in college as part of my own band, as well as jazz ensemble and guitar ensemble. My first experience with teaching came from my first live shows with Art Wavey. As a songwriter, another duty often times overlooked is teaching the parts needed to complement the song. By explaining the theory behind the compositions in a clear, concise way, as well through direct representation through playing, I was able to convey complex ideas in a way that not only transferred to those being taught, but made it enjoyable as well. I've learned from experience that when a lesson isn't enjoyable or engaging, less information is retained, and it becomes difficult to improve. By providing a solid foundation of understanding, as well as material that makes proper use of such information, lessons can be a fun, fruitful experience in the life of a student of music.

When I meet a new student, I ask them about their music tastes, as well as their perceived level of skill. This allows me to have a clearer picture as to which route to take with teaching. For students who are just starting their journey into music, I tend to bring material and resources from my own experiences and material. By starting from the basic language of music theory (scales, melody, harmony, etc) a solid foundation is formed for their curiosity to lead them to where they want to learn in music. For more experienced students who may or may not understand theory, I dive a little deeper into theoretical concepts, as well as pull material from the Hal Leonard Real Book (a book of jazz standards from a number of eras). I find this provides students with the means to grasp composition, theory, improvisation, and group chemistry; all invaluable concepts for students of music.