02/22/2024
Welcome to our February TEACHER FEATURE.
This month we are featuring NEW percussion instructor Justin Song, NEW guitar, viola, and violin instructor, Andrew Bonci, and guitar instructor Doug Perkins!
To book each of these INCREDIBLE instructors for lessons, visit https://www.culturehouse.com/school-of-music and find their booking page!
JUSTIN SONG
Justin Song has been teaching drum-set and snare drum classes, both privately and in classrooms, since 2004. Having studied under David R. Sears at the Academy of Music & Performing Arts at Hamilton in Los Angeles (Percussion Ensemble), Justin’s approach to teaching drums includes basic to intermediate musical notation reading, time keeping (metronome), rudiments/technique, and preparations for performances. Justin welcomes students at all levels of their Musical Journey at ages 8 and up.
Contact Justin at [email protected].
ANDREW BONCI
Andrew S Bonci Jr was born and raised in the Kansas City Metro Area and attended Shawnee Mission North High School where he began his musical journey with viola and guitar in the school orchestra and jazz ensemble. He continued on to study music in college and holds two degrees from the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance; a Bachelor of Arts in Music (2018) and a Master’s of Music in Viola Performance (2021). During his time at the Conservatory, he was under the tutelage of Scott Lee, but also had the opportunity to study with such professors as Joe Genualdi, Benny Kim, and Carter Enyart.
As a violist, Andrew performs in wedding quartets, chamber and symphonic orchestras, and also serves as a church orchestra sectional leader. In addition to these regular posts, Andrew has been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to play viola in on-stage orchestras with bands and touring acts coming through the Kansas City and St Louis area. These bands/artists include Evanescence (2017/2018), Lindsey Sterling (2018), The Hanson Brothers (2018), and The Eagles (2022).
Andrew began his extensive career performing guitar in the Kansas City metro in 2012 while playing in musical theater pit orchestras for such organizations as MTKC, The Barn Players, many local high schools, and The University of Kansas Theater Department. He has played with local bands and collectives as a session guitarist and can most recently be heard playing guitars and viola on Sisterbot’s album “Truth House.”
Andrew has been teaching privately since 2015, during which time he has had the joy of assisting young musicians to reach their fullest potential. Many of his students have obtained "1" ratings at Solo & Ensemble, as well as earning their admittance into All-District & State orchestras, the KC Youth Symphony, and college programs. His passion for teaching led him to create Magnolia Tree Studios, a space where students of all levels are welcome!
Contact Andrew at [email protected]
DOUG PERKINS
Formerly based in Los Angeles, Doug Perkins recently relocated to Kansas City to be a part of its vibrant jazz scene.
Doug started on the trumpet, but after just two years of playing he started teaching guitar in a local Toledo, OH music store on the day of his 16th birthday. Doug toured with famed 50s Rocker "Johnny & the Hurricanes" at 18 before leaving to study at BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC in Boston, MA. After Berklee, and a few years of playing shows all over Canada and the US, he moved to LA to finish up his guitar studies at the Musician's Institute. Doug was voted Outstanding Guitarist of the Year as a student, and then taught at the prestigious school for 6 years. He has played with likes of Scott Henderson, Robben Ford, etc. and his written instructional materials for Hal Leonard Publications, and co-owns www.jazzguitarsociety.com, a web source for advanced guitar masterclass videos. Also a prolific composerm he has over 500 compositions that are heard daily in everything form commercials to Madmen, from Justified, to SpongeBob Squarepants.
Contact Doug at [email protected]
