Where Are They Now? - Part III

It's hard to believe it, but DSM will be celebrating 20 years in 2012. Over that time we have worked with literally thousands of students from all over the DFW metroplex.  Many have become friends and some even consider us part of their extended families. In recent years we began seeing sons and daughters of former students which means - we're getting really old! It has been an incredible journey.

As we embark on a new 'global' phase of the school with MusickEd.com and Discover, Learn, and Play, we thought we'd take a look back and catch up with a few students to see what they were up to and ask what they remember about their time at DSM.

Brad Neher came to us as a middle school student who wanted to learn jazz piano. Over the next few years we got to know the Neher family so well that we've played golf together, had dad record a bunch of DSM faculty concerts, and even crashed a few of Brad's shows around Dallas.  Thanks for catching up Bradley! 

Is there anything in particular that you remember about DSM? Any specific event, or occurrence? 

I have many fond memories of my time at DSM. My educational experience with Bob Lawrence is one of the richest blessings of my life. The thorough nature of his teachings has helped me to perform in each of my musical endeavors to the best of my ability. The importance of keeping things simple (the K.I.S.S. method), the importance of learning the history of a style to better understand it, and doing everything with an open mind and a big heart  - these have been priceless lessons.
 

One day Bob called Eugene into his office to hear me improvise over some chord changes. When I finished Eugene said "Sounds great... too bad I can't play it." He went on to explain how all great solos "breathe" just like a vocalist or wind player. This was an invaluable lesson, and just one of the many gems I took from my time at DSM.
 

I also studied arranging with Mike Finkel one summer and he helped me to conceptualize music in a way that has been instrumental in my performing pop music. I would not be anywhere near as good as I am today without the great folks at DSM. 

Tell us what you're doing now and what your plans are for the next year or so.

These days, most of the music that I play for a living is country music. I play at Cowboys in Arlington 3 nights a week. I have also been playing piano and keyboard at Highland Park United Methodist Church in the Cornerstone Service in Dallas for about 5 years now. I'm planning on moving to Nashville soon and seeing how a career in music will pan out for me there.

Is music part of your everyday life? 

Music has been and probably always will be a huge part of my life. I am very lucky that my mom found DSM and got me into lessons at an early age. Being from Dallas people just assume I attended UNT which I did,  but the music they are hearing is the result of years of private lessons at the Dallas School of Music.
 

I am often asked to give lessons but I respectfully decline.  There is a HUGE difference between someone who can make great music, and someone who can teach someone to one day make great music. The passion for teaching that the instructors at DSM have is a real blessing. It has been the most influential experience in my music career.

I am more grateful than I can say to have had the good folks at DSM help me to become the musician I want to be. Keep up the fantastic work and HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Good luck Brad - stay in touch and say hi to mom and dad too!

Magic Johnson's Instrument of Choice? Bass.

When you hear the name Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr., the first thing that comes to mind is basketball. Yes Johnson is a former point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers with five NBA championships, three MVP awards, and an Olympic gold medal. But the basketball hall of famer is also a philanthropist and savvy businessman.

Thanks to Inc. Magazine and the amazing power of Twitter, we were able to ask Magic a question. We found out that he is passionate about 'good music' and if he could, bass would be his instrument of choice.  Here is our part of the interview:

@MusickEd asked from Twitter if you ever played an instrument or if you could play an instrument what would it be?

No, I haven't played an instrument. And I think it would be the bass because that's how you dance, to the bass. I'm the biggest music lover in the world. I mean I have seen everybody. I went on tour with Michael Jackson and the Jacksons four or five times. You name them, I've seen them and probably a hundred times too. So when you think about Magic Johnson and the thing that relaxes me or gets me going or gets me on that dance floor, it is just some good music. I still love to dance even though I can't do it as long as I used too. But that's one thing I'm really passionate about, good music.

Well Magic, today is your lucky day! Visit Discover, Learn, and Play and start learning - it's never too late! PS - We think you're OK even though we grew up as Celtic fans. All the best - MusickEd

Read the entire Inc. Magazine interview here.

A Few Words with Becca Roberts Finley

Becca Roberts Finley is a past resident of Dallas and an old friend of DSM. She currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina where he is a production coordinator at Go To Team. But it's her passion for music (especially new music) that has her heading up a new e-zine called Music Initiative. We caught up with her by phone last week and got the chance to ask her a few questions:


Congratulations on the first issue. Is there a mission statement for Music Initiative? 

We have one somewhere... but I'm not sure it's just right yet!  So let's just say we want MI to be  a cottage industry magazine.  I want it to feel like your best friend, the one you trust the most, who loves music and tells you who it is to listen to. There is so much great music being created and I think we need a place to learn about it without visiting a ton of different websites or thumbing through a bunch of ads. Simply, 'here are all the things you might want to know about musicians and festivals and the music we discover and love...all in one place.' 

The first issue is packed with info, what can we expect in future issues? 

We called the first issue our 'green issue' but that has two meanings.  First of course, it's published online so there is no printing or printing and we love the conservation angle. But it's also green because we featured John Gray who's from Jacksonville, Florida and his genre is sometimes called 'swamp' music. 

In the next issue we visit 'mountain' regions of the country and feature bands that are actually drawing inspiration from the music of folks like the Carter family. There is a real revival going on in that genre - like Mumford and Sons for example. 

For future issues we've targeted 16 markets that have great but little known bands that we'd like to share with the world. Our goal is to add depth and a new level of understanding of their music.

How did you assemble your team of contributors? 

Most of the columnists in our first issue were folks we knew and their content is all original, written just for us. Some writers will remain the same from issue to issue but other people can contribute columns as well.  We're always open to new material if it fits with the sections that we currently have. Our current sections will remain the same though featured cities and regions will change each month.

What are the goals for MI this year, in the future? 

We'd like to keep the e-zine at the same content level for the next 12 months and really home in on our target cities. I am also coordinating a 'bonfire' series of concerts with people passing through our area. We will have them video taped and up on our companion youtube channel. I have no life right now  - but I love what I do and I get to hear great new music all the time!

If you're a fan of cool new music then we highly recommend you check out the Music Initiative e-zone and be sure to like them on FB!

DLP Initiative - Saving Music, 1 Group at a Time!

We have enjoyed sharing the Kore Series with individual enthusiasts from all over the world. It's exciting to have an international community of music learners logging in and making their way through our lessons on any of 39 instruments. There are glockenspiel players in Norway, clarinetists in the UK, and saxophonists in Saudi Arabia accessing the Kore Series and discovering, learning, and playing music. It is truly humbling!   

This year we are rolling out a new initiative that allows single 'owners' to essentially 'license' the Kore Series of lessons to any number of users in their community for one low, monthly fee.  The benefits of this program are noteworthy and many.  Here are just a few:

1. Public and private schools can offer this unique curriculum to all of their students, staff, and families to enhance their current program or begin a new program.

2. Retail stores can add value and loyalty by providing access to the Kore Series curriculum to anyone who purchases an instrument.

3. Private music studios can make the Kore Series available to their teachers and students to help retention rates.

4. Churches can provide a music learning program for all families as well as members of their music ministry.

5. Home-schoolers can access a quality music learning program and connect to a global community of learners.

6. Instant access to a state-of-the-art learning program, sort of a 'high-tech method book' that comes complete with video how-to's, original songs, amazing play alongs and support.

So what does an owner get for this introductory rate of $20 per month? 

Unlimited access to all 39 instruments and 20 Lessons of the Kore Series along with the support of professional music educators available 24/7!

Personalized forums for your group to share successes and post questions.

Access to our secure global community of users via social networks that include: The Discover, Learn, Play blog, twitter and facebook pages, the MusickEd youtube channel and more.

Visit our site for more info and get instant access for your group!

Where Are They Now? Part 2

It's hard to believe it, but DSM will be celebrating 20 years in 2012. Over that time we have worked with literally thousands of students from all over the DFW metroplex.  Many have become friends and some even consider us part of their extended families. In recent years we began seeing sons and daughters of former students which means - we're getting really old! It has been an incredible journey.

As we embark on a new 'global' phase of the school with MusickEd.com and Discover, Learn, and Play, we thought we'd take a look back and catch up with a few students to see what they were up to and ask what they remember about their time at DSM.  

Nicholas Sanchez studied both guitar and piano as a teenager at DSM. Although he moved away from Dallas, we have remained in touch over the years.  Now he is grown and has his own wonderful family.  Thanks for sharing your story Nico!

Is there anything in particular that you remember about DSM? Any specific event, or occurrence? 

I remember DSM in two ways - once during grade and high-school, and again after college.  Both times for me it was a wonderful escape - a different type of focus and creativity where I could put aside school and/or work, and spend time focused on learning the instrument.  

I was probably one of DSM's most unprepared or unpracticed students, but I sincerely valued the times where most of my musical learning was packed into my weekly lessons with really smart, interesting, and fun teachers that could work with my "loose" goals.  

One year, I even encouraged my future wife to take lessons there so she could focus on a violin piece she was learning.  It was really fun to hear and see her progress and participate with DSM.

Tell us what you're doing now and what your plans are for the next year or so. 
I am living in Sacramento with my wife Stephany and my brand new son, Gabriel!  I work for a software company but my passions are my brand new little family, cooking, and of course, listening and playing music.  It is my goal that Gabriel grow up with music in his blood and that instruments become his toys of choice. 

Is music part of your everyday life?

I play the piano and guitar a little less than before, but this will certainly be picking up again as it is something I want my son to grow up around.  Since moving to California, my wife and I became part of a small ensemble called "Delirium Tremens"... yup, medical people! We jam every once in a while and we have played the UC Davis Internal Medicine graduation for the last two years, and we're expected to play again this year.  Last year I was vocals and guitar, yikes!
 
Music is a major part of my life especially via my family on my mom's side, and on my wife's side.  We want to make sure this is a central theme for our young family as well.  I used to want to record music, but then, for me, it got in the way of just playing.

Thanks Nicholas and best to you and your new family! Be sure to stop in and say hello if you get back to Dallas - we'd love to see you.