#042: How to Create Guitar Orchestra and Large Ensembles for Your Students with Jayson Martinez

Our guest today, Jayson Martínez is recognized as the first guitar major in the history of the prestigious Arts High School in Newark, NJ. Hear about his journey from being a guitar student to now owning a music school while running a guitar orchestra. He shared some insights into the world of classical guitar and how to get started as a guitarist. He also shared some tips on developing self-esteem and confidence through music that will help you foster your students’ love of playing the guitar. If you are looking to create an environment where your students can be successful and enjoy the learning process, then this podcast is for you.

“The essence of education is to make sure that you really hone in onto what the student really likes.” – Jayson Martinez

• Jayson shared a brief overview of his journey, from being a guitar student to owning a music school while running a guitar orchestra.
• The difference between contemporary guitar and classical guitar and how to modify a classical approach for contemporary music.
• Great tips on motivating your students to practice.
• Jayson shared some marketing advice on how to promote your business.
• The importance of time spent on learning guitar and time spent on learning music theory.
• The behavioral patterns shared by all successful guitar students.
• The Suzuki technique and how Jayson uses this in his music studio.
• Jayson shared how his guitar orchestra projects came to be.
• How important are performance opportunities for your students?
• Advice for guitar teachers looking to create their own larger ensembles and guitar orchestras.
• Some tips on preparing, training, picking out a repertoire for your students and facilitating their performance.
• How can guitar teachers make classical music more accessible for younger students?
• Jayson’s thoughts on what the common traits are by highly successful guitar players.
• One final piece of wisdom for the listeners.

Guest Links Mentioned

• Jayson Martinez Website
• New Jersey Guitar Orchestra Facebook Page
• Tremolo Music Studio

Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned

• Free Guitar E-book Resources

Today’s Guest Jayson Martínez is recognized as the first guitar major in the history of the prestigious Arts High School in Newark, NJ, the nation’s first high school of the Visual and Performing Arts. This experience led him to attend New Jersey City University, where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Ana María Rosado. He earned degrees in Music Education (B.A.), Music Performance (M.Mus.), and Educational Supervision and Administration (M.EdLd.). As Director of Guitar Studies at his Alma Mater, Mr. Martínez has garnered several awards, including the 2018 Teacher of the Year Award and a also nominee for the GRAMMY Music Educator’s Award.

Currently, Mr. Martínez serves as the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) Chairman for Guitar Education. He is also the Director of the NJMEA Honors Guitar Ensemble and National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Representative for the Council of Guitar Education. He is also an adjunct Professor of Guitar Studies at Kean University. An established classical guitarist, Mr. Martínez served as the concertmaster for the renowned New York City Classical Guitar Orchestra for over a decade. In 2021, he founded the New Jersey Guitar Orchestra, where he also serves as conductor. Staying true to his roots, he is also the proprietor of Tremolo Music Studio LLC in Clifton, NJ, where he provides music education to aspiring musicians of all ages.

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