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 May is Early McCalister. Early teaches for our Bergmann Project, which serves qualified students (as determined by SMMUSD) with year-round, free private lessons! Early works weekly with Bergmann flute and saxophone students, helping them build their skills and grow their love for music. A dedicated and passionate teacher, we are lucky to have Early as one of our teachers. Read more about him below!
Elemental Music: How long have you been teaching for Elemental Music?
Early McCalister: I will be starting my 4th year with Elemental Music this fall and I am enjoying every moment.
EM: How did you get started in music?
McCalister: I started playing the flute in 4th grade in a beginning instrumental music class. Fortunately, I changed schools mid-year and was successful in auditioning for the school orchestra. I was elated, and I still remember learning the first song titled We Shall Overcome. My family was thrilled, too, as they understood the significance of this song more than I did as a 4th grader.
EM: As a multi-instrumentalist and a teacher who teaches multiple instruments, when did you start exploring beyond just your original instrument?
McCalister: I played flute and piccolo through middle school. Beginning high school in 10th grade, the band teacher asked if I played any other instrument. I told him I made the state honor band on flute as a 9th grader, and I was willing to audition for a flute chair. The teacher explained that the marching band already had too many flutes, and he needed louder instruments for the marching band. So, I obliged and taught myself to play tenor sax. I had friends who played sax, and I thought it sounded cool on records.
EM: Do you have a favorite instrument to play?
McCalister: My favorite instrument changes depending on what I am practicing, listening to, or gigs I am playing. On gigs, the audience compliments my saxophone playing and enjoys when I sing and play EWI (Electric Wind Instrument). I always aim to play the instrument that best fits the music or gig more than fun for me.
EM: Like many of our teachers, you're a professional musician as well as a teacher. What inspired you to include music education as part of your career rather than only performance?
McCalister: I was lucky to be on a recording session on saxophone starting college, but I also brought my flute. The bass player and his wife asked me if I could teach their daughter to play flute because her first teacher did not work out well. I accepted the challenge and enjoyed teaching her for many years. This early fulfilling experience let me know that I had something to offer more than just playing.
EM: What has it been like for you to adjust to teaching during the Covid-19 era?
McCalister: Teaching online has been both a challenge and a blessing. I have enjoyed exploring the options to overcome the hurdles of teaching online. My students enjoy my over-the-top enthusiastic and upbeat style in person and teaching online, and my approach keeps the students engaged.
EM: What is one of your proudest moments as a teacher?
McCalister: I have many proud moments from my students' efforts and achievements. I also am fulfilled when my students share their non-musical accomplishments because they know I am interested in them far beyond their playing abilities.
EM: What is one of your favorite musical memories?
McCalister: I have had many fond musical memories, including TV, Film, Churches, Concerts, and Award Shows. However, I mostly enjoy playing diverse music with great musicians who are genuinely good people.
EM: If you could give our students one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, what would it be?
McCalister: I have learned to offer advice sparingly, but in general, I encourage teachers to be brave to take on challenges and include their student's interests and culture into their lessons to create deeper learning and a more fulfilling experience for their students.
EM: Is there anything else you'd like to add, that you think might be interesting for our community?
McCalister: I want to add a reminder that learning to play an instrument pays many dividends. However, it does not need to be used to improve academic performance and is extremely valuable for artistic expression alone.