Introduction: John Casey Hopson is a West Coast native who grew up around the greater Los Angeles area of Southern California. He currently lives on the East Coast with his wife and two daughters and splits his time working in both the Eastern North Carolina and Washington DC Metro areas. John Casey is a freelance musician and the Minister of Music at Sandy Run Missionary Baptist Church. John Casey's professional work experience includes more than 20 years of performing and teaching on multiple instruments (Guitar, Piano, Bass and Drums) and in multiple genres (Classical, Contemporary and Christian). John Casey's work experience also includes more than 15 years serving and leading in various church music ministries in California, Virginia and North Carolina. In addition to his training and experience as a musician, John Casey is also a military veteran with more than 8 years of experience serving as an officer in both active duty and reserve components of the United States Marine Corps.
Training & Education:
John Casey began studying piano at the age of 6 years old, guitar at the age of 8 years old and bass at the age of 14 years old. In January 2000, at the age of thirteen years old, John Casey began attending Long Beach City College as a music major. In April 2001, while attending Long Beach City College, John Casey earned his High School Diploma after passing the California High School Proficiency Exam. In June 2003, John Casey earned his Associate of Arts degree in Music, with an emphasis in Classical Guitar Performance, from Long Beach City College in Long Beach, CA. In May 2006, John Casey earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA. In May 2008, John Casey earned his Master of Music degree in Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. In December 2018, John Casey earned his Master of Divinity degree in Christian Ministry from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.
Work:
John Casey began teaching at the age of 14 years old and from September 2000 to June 2006, John Casey served as a music instructor for the Saturday Conservatory of Music (non-profit organization) in Pasadena, CA. From January 2005 to August 2010, John Casey served as a music instructor for the Performing Arts Guild of Orange County (non-profit organization) in Santa Ana, CA. From August 2007 to May 2008, John Casey served as a graduate teaching assistant for the Studio/Jazz Guitar Department, Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. From September 2008 to May 2010, John Casey served as a guitar instructor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. From January 2009 to June 2010, John Casey served as the jazz guitar instructor for the Orange County High School of the Arts in Santa Ana, CA. From February 2015 to September 2015, following his 4-year period of active duty military service, John Casey served as a professor of music and guitar instructor for Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC.
Awards:
1. 1st Place, American String Teachers Association, California State Round
(Junior Division), 2004
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
1. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), Writer/Publisher, 2015-Present
2. TAXI, 2008-Present
What John Casey Loves About What He Does:
1. Making music.
2. Discovering new music.
3. Making music with other musicians.
4. Passing on to others what has been given to him.
