We have a lot of incredible people teaching for our programs, and while our students get to work with them every week, we know that our wider community might not know them!
Our featured teacher for January, Buzz Gravelle, is a coach for Elemental Guitar. Buzz has supported the organization in many ways and previously served on our Board of Directors.
EM: How did you get started playing your instrument?
BG: I actually had a dream when I was 10 years old in which I was playing a guitar fluently, and I had never touched a guitar before. The next day I asked my parents for lessons and haven’t stopped playing since. Besides guitar, I play piano and many other plucked string instruments: bass, banjo, mandolin, the Okinawan sanshin, the South American ronroco, fretless guitar…about eight other instruments in total.
EM: What do you love about teaching guitar ensemble rather than just private lessons?
BG: Teaching guitar ensemble allows the kids to bond as a group, which I love to see. New friends and memories based around learning music together are created with an ensemble as opposed to private lessons. This is very special and something that I love being part of.
EM: What is one of your favorite musical memories?
BG: I have so many, but traveling to Europe and playing concerts in my early 20s under the guidance of my mentor and guitar professor at UCLA, Theodore Norman, will always hold a special place in my heart.
EM: If you could give our students one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, what would it be?
BG: Stick with it. There will be days or weeks where your enthusiasm may lag or you may feel particularly frustrated. That’s ok, but this will pass. Your confidence and enthusiasm will return. When those moments hit, just play what you enjoy most and keep going.
EM: What do you like to do when you’re not playing music?
BG: I like to exercise, hike, challenge myself with goals I set for myself. I also like to read and listen to podcasts – learn something new!
EM: Can you tell us a fun fact about yourself?
BG: Hmmm…that while Buzz isn’t my legal name (Darren is), I have been called Buzz since birth, being named after Buzz Aldrin, the astronaut.