Jack Sheehan

Introduction: After watching the film "School of Rock," the guitar called to me. I saw its liberating effects on a youth on the screen, and that's what I was looking for. It would come to pass that music would, and continues to, liberate me to this day. It has taken me from a diamond-in-the-rough guitar teacher in a hole in the wall in Stratford, CT, USA, to the most prestigious contemporary music school in the world. It has taken me through bands, ensembles, and projects playing jazz, blues, rock, progressive music, reggae, Afro beat, hip-hop, and funk. From every recital, from every local gig in a sold-out venue (or an empty one) every festival, drum circle, or bonfire/rehearsal space/garage/basement jam, I have learned more and yearned for the next challenge, beat, chorus, gig, and moment I can play my instrument. Along with that, I have learned how to sing, play the bass, piano, percussion, drums, and multiple world instruments such as the native American flute and Charango. I think what music has taught me most is that my progress in this world while it may seem to come from some outside force, call it luck, God, karma, or privilege, it's been up to me to go out there and achieve my dreams. It's the reason I am writing these very words to whoever will read them. My teaching philosophy is this: I think that music, on a cerebral level, is communicative. We use it to express ourselves sonically. In order to become a great musician, one has to get what is in their mind to communicate with their body to play their instrument (voice is an instrument too), allowing for their audience to hear what they think. It really is that connected. I can teach you how to be a musician, an instrumentalist, singer, or even a listener. The choice is yours.