Get to Know: Kurt Reed

It may not surprise you that a teacher of rock music once wasn’t allowed to listen to it. After all, what’s rock and roll without a little rebellion?

Kurt Reed, director of Fairlawn School of Music was 9 and a half when he fell in love with guitar.

“I got inspired because I found a bunch of old Elvis records in my grandpa’s attic,” Reed said.

He started playing the instrument as soon as he could. Reed’s mom even baked and sold bread to cover the cost of his lessons. But it wasn’t until high school that Reed played any music that wasn’t classical or religious. 

“It was a very underground thing when I started a kind of secret band, because we couldn’t play at my parent’s house,” Reed said.

Today, Reed no longer hides his passion for rock music or guitar; he shares it with his students. 

“Music helps build students’ confidence. It’s a great way to experience achievement,” Reed said.  

Fairlawn School of Music opened its doors in April to musicians young and old. The school is an extension of Jam Session Music School, located in Kent. Along with rock, the schools offer classes in jazz, strings, vocals, and musical theory. 

Reed, who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Akron, takes a nontraditional approach to helping his students to thrive. They not only take lessons and perform individually; they are grouped together into performing bands. 

“The idea is to bring spectacle to the music lessons,” Reed said. “A lot of times, that’s what’s missing. When you’re in a group environment, you’re excited and buzzed about playing.” 

The school then helps the student bands attain real performing experiences at clubs, showcases and competitions. In the future, Reed hopes to start a summer concert series for the school’s bands through the Bath Parks and Recreation Department.

Reed is currently in three bands of his own: Verve Daddy, Lithium and Rusted Development.  Like Reed, all the teachers at Fairlawn School of Music are degreed musicians who still perform on their own. 

Most of the school’s students are kids. 

“It’s important for kids to get involved with music because it helps them learn how they learn,” Reed said. “If you realize a personal desire to succeed at a young age, it sets you up for success in the rest of your life.”

Reed hopes his success as a teacher and director of both Jam Session and Fairlawn Schools of Music will continue as the schools grow. He said he never expected to end up teaching, but loves it every day.

“You really learn more possibly from teaching that taking lessons,” Reed said. “It gives me a sense of purpose beyond just playing my guitar.”