Brian Kirk

Courses

• Fall 2024
• Winter 2025

Personal Statement

https://kirkjazz.net/

Being a professional musician, I have always perceived teaching as natural extension of the tradition of performing music, where the master musicians mentored the young apprentices. Having the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for music and experiencing the “magic” that occurs in the students as they begin to realize their academic and performance potential has been the most rewarding experience of my career. While “education” has come to mean many things, the essence education suggests that our efforts must focus on the full development of students in all matters of deliberate action. Education should seek to develop students in all matters of deliberate action. My role as a teacher is to treat students as human beings who not only have authentic life-experiences, but who are also active participants in the production of knowledge. In so doing, knowledge is not transferred, but rather created and critically examined in the context of the classroom and beyond. Highlighting the significance of Jazz and Contemporary music as a necessary social practice as well as an art form, it is my desire to assist students with the understanding and knowledge of Jazz and Contemporary music, electronic music production, music theory and music appreciation. It is the mission of this Instructor to help students to understand and begin a life long appreciation of various genre's of music. 

Degrees & Certificates

B.A. Music - Instrumental Music Performance (Cal State University East Bay) M.A. Music - Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies (New York University)