LAMA Feature: 5 Questions with Sam Porcaro
Introducing, Sam Porcaro!
A: I chose to attend LAMA because I wanted to further both my musical knowledge and playing ability. After a few years of community college, I decided that music school was the route I ultimately wanted to take. LAMA was the obvious choice of schools for me because I was already familiar with the school and bass department staff through my Grandpa.
A: The best part about studying music in LA is the opportunities that are around. I don’t mean solely in terms of gigs and players to meet, but also in terms of the different music scenes around town. In LA you have chances to go out to a club and check out your favorite players doing their thing. You can literally be at a place like the Piano Bar and people like Stevie Wonder or Prince randomly show up and play a set!
A: The entirety of the LAMA bass staff are amazing, it’s very hard to pick one as a favorite. Every one of them has so much to offer, whether it is technique with Jerry Watts, jazz with Steve Billman, rock with Tom Witt, blues with Doug Ross, or private lessons with David Levray. Each of them have their own way of teaching the curriculum, but there is a interconnectedness that helps to bring it all together in a way that is simple to understand and execute.
A: I started playing because I’ve grown up in a very musical family and environment. Some of my earliest childhood memories are being in the studio with my dad and all of the Toto guys while they were recording their album Tambu. From then on I always had an interest in music, however I didn’t start playing bass until many years later when my friends and I all decided we wanted to start a band. The only problem with that was that none of us played anything, so I decided I’d pick up the bass because it seemed like the natural choice to me.
A: After LAMA I plan to continue playing live and in the studio as much as I can. Playing live has always been something I’ve loved to do, whether it is with my band Maudlin Strangers or just as a sideman for solo acts. Thus far I’ve had some amazing opportunities such as playing with Edgar Winter and Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees. I can only hope that after finishing LAMA things will continue to move forward!
Feature: 5 Questions with Seth Jamison
Our students come from all over the world to study music here in Los Angeles. To find out why, we launched the new series on Get to the Music — 5 Questions — featuring 6th Quarter LA Music Academy students. It’s also an opportunity for them to tell us about upcoming projects and plans for after graduation. Introducing, Seth Jamison!
Seth Jamison – LA Music Academy Guitar Department
A: I chose to attend LAMA because of my passion for music. I was faced with a choice of going to a regular university back home in Iowa or LAMA. I decided that I wanted to do what I loved more than anything else in this world: music. LAMA turned out to be the best choice for me as far as music schools go because it’s small and private, which allows for more participation and focus in classes.
A: I think the fact that you are virtually around the best musicians in the world makes all the difference. LA is definitely one of the top music scenes on the planet right now, so getting the chance to not only see the best musicians but also learn from them and play with them gives you an experience that you will not find anywhere else.
A: It’s hard for me to choose a favorite instructor. For me they’re all excellent at what they do. Jody Fisher, Bill Fowler, Art Renshaw, Dave Hill, and of course Tariqh Akoni are THE best teachers I could ever ask for. Without their dedication, their care, their knowledge and patience, I would have never improved like I have. So I have to give a huge thank you to all of them from the bottom of my heart.
A: Funny story. I actually didn’t start listening to guitar based music until I started playing Guitar Hero. I was addicted to that game. Later on, however, I decided that it would be awesome if I could play this on a real guitar. My mom had one upstairs in the attic that she never played. I picked it up. The rest is history.
A: After graduating I want to try and find a job. Ideally, I want to teach. Whether it be at a music store or just privately. I think it’s a very important and beneficial thing so hopefully that works out. I also have a few projects I’m in that I hope will work out. One of them is a hip hop group called EYM (elevate your mind). Right now we are in the process of recording our first album and making a music video while promoting ourselves through Reverb Nation and Facebook. Look us up. I am very proud to be a part of this group and I really think we can make an impact in the industry. I am also involved in a blues project. Hopefully we can regularly play around LA after March as well. More details on that later.
Feature: 5 Questions with Aaron Wittman
A: I was told that if I was serious about playing music I should attend the Los Angeles Music Academy. I wanted to learn different styles of music and have teachers that know what they are talking about.
A: The best part is that you are always around music, it may it be somebody jamming or practicing but there is always something happening. And the teachers are around to answer your questions and give you advice and let you know what is going on in the music industry today so that you are prepared when you get out of here. You are also around people who are in the same state of mind – musically.
A: It’s hard to choose favorites but if I had to I would have to say Ralph Humphrey just because he has so much knowledge in different aspects of drumming, be it in the studio or live – he knows what he is talking about.
A: I started playing because there was always music playing in my household and I grew up listening to different styles and I was hooked on it right from the start and since I’ve never looked back.
A: After graduating I will continue playing around town everywhere I can, keep up with networking contacts and continue with the studio dates I have booked with various artists.
Feature: 5 Questions with Andrew Moore
I chose to attend the LA Music Academy for two reasons. The first is that the caliber of teaching is the best in the world and the second is that the school is small enough that there it feels like you are part of one, large music family.
The best part about studying at the LA Music Academy is that you feel at home. It is a healthy, encouraging and motivating environment.
Jody Fisher is my favorite instructor at the LA Music Academy because he not only is a master at his craft but he has also taken a lot of time to carefully work out his own curriculum and has all of the information well placed in organized packets that students receive on a weekly basis. Jody is also incredibly patient and a great communicator. He always gives reasons why the things he teaches are important.
I started taking piano lessons at the age of 8 because I was jealous of my brother who was already taking lessons at the time.
My plans after graduating are to continue making music wherever I can. I am currently involved in three projects. One is a band called ‘Cities’ (www.noisetrade.com/cities), also an acoustic project (www.reverbnation.com/ambersquill) and my own solo project (www.musicradical.ca).
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