Austin
GuitarBass GuitarPianoUkulele
About Austin
Originally from Chicago, Austin earned his Bachelor of Music through USC’s Popular Music Program at the Thornton School of Music. There, he studied with reputable musicians such as Patrice Russian, Paul Jackson Jr., and Alfonso Johnson. He has also been a gigging and recording musician in Los Angeles since 2021, having played at venues such as El Rey Theater, The Belasco, the Hollywood Bowl, and the LA County Fair.
Being a guitarist, bassist, pianist, and drummer, Austin believes that versatility across genres and techniques is key to a good musical education. Additionally, understanding the history of music can help with uncovering the different influences of music today and inspire creative ideas that connect the past to the present. He carries these beliefs into his teaching, using them as a foundation to foster a passion for music and reflect the legacies within pop culture today.
As a songwriter and producer, Austin loves to collaborate with other artists in the LA area. Some of his current projects include recording albums with multiple experimental rock bands and collaborating with artists varying a wide range of genres, from pop and R&B to punk and hyper-pop. His goals are to use these experiences to help aspiring artists grow in their musical endeavors and foster a safe space for experimentation and creativity.
Q&A with Austin
Which musician would you like to play with?
If any, I’d love to play for Kelly Clarkson, maybe on her show. She seems so sweet and fun to work with and is a fantastic singer.
Which musician has influenced you the most?
I’m most influenced by Chris Cornell, his style of music, how he sings, how he writes, and how many side projects he has been in.
What can you teach me better on your instrument than any other teacher?
Because of my production background and knowledge of other instruments, I think I could best teach students arranging and ensemble teaching. If a student is writing a song on guitar and wants to get their ideas across to other instruments, I could teach how those instruments could best compliment the guitar player.
How did you learn to play your instrument?
I started with classical piano lessons when I was 7. Then when I was 11, I starting taking guitar lessons which made me return to piano and try to relate the two instruments. Then a few years later I was playing in bands, and wanted to learn how to fill every role, so I picked up bass and drums and continued with them through college.
What equipment do you play on today?
Guitar - Marshall MG30GFX combo amp, Piano - Yamaha P71 digital piano, Bass - ampeg BA112V2 combo amp, Drums - Yamaha stage custom 5-piece
Which personal trait helped you the most while practicing?
I love making detailed charts of songs’ full arrangements, so I’ve spent a lot of time listening to very layered guitars and layered vocal stacks and picking apart how many layers there are and writing down the individual parts. I think that’s helped my ability to play something by hearing it.
What does your instrument have that others don't?
My guitar has a whammy bar, and my bass has 5 strings (low B)
How do you handle children?
I have experience working with children as young as four years old through to teenagers. Engaging younger children can be challenging at times, as they may not always want to focus on their instruments for the entire lesson. To keep them interested, I incorporate fun activities and games to break up the session. I also enjoy teaching slightly older kids because it’s at this stage that I see them set and achieve their own goals, often sparking conversations about music that can fill the entire lesson.
What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
Earlier this year, I went on a small tour in London playing keytar. It was my first time playing outside of the US, so it was really cool seeing the difference between venues and crowds here and over there.
What was the biggest stage you played on?
I played at Red Rocks when I was 17. It was just for one song, but still an important experience.
Which record would you take with you to the desert island?
Probably Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. I’ve listened to that album so many times and it never gets old. It has rock on it, it has jazz, it has blues, electronic, and acoustic parts, so I can have a bit of all of that.
Besides music, what else is important in your life?
Friends, family, personal goals/growth, social causes, personal projects
Music style(s)
PopRockFunkMetalR&B
Level(s) Comfortable Teaching
Beginner to Advanced
Bands, Projects, Notable Performances, Collaborations
Rima, B1G CH0MP3RS, Starry Eyes