Today we’d like to introduce you to BJ Wass.
BJ, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I can remember back to grade school when the DJ for our eighth grade dance was having technical difficulties. I instinctively sat behind the piano on stage and started playing. I will never forget all of my classmates singing along and it was that moment I knew, music was what I wanted to do with my life. Lucky for me, my passion for music was realized by having an amazing teacher. I was encouraged to play the type of music that I was passionate about. Even though I was not ready to play the Billy Joel songs I heard in my mother’s vinyl collection, my instructor found ways to teach me the basics through those tunes. Of course textbook exercises are essential to becoming a knowledgeable player, but when you sign on to do something, you are being driven by some sort of spark. I believe what makes a great teacher is one who finds and feeds that spark until it becomes something much bigger.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. Sitting through a lecture was a struggle for me, but there was a ‘super power’ that came with the disorder – the ability to hyper-focus. For me, this power kicked in whenever I was doing something creative or solving a puzzle. It was through this focus that I learned to read and write music, play piano, guitar, harmonica, and sing.
After I graduated Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with a degree in Music Business, I found a way to utilize my passions and strengths and created Onset School of Music.
Please tell us about Onset School of Music.
Onset School of Music is an 11,000 square foot music hub. Our facility includes a dozen lesson rooms, a game room, a recording studio, The Onset Performance Center (a venue for our in-house student concerts and other live music events), The Starving Artist Lounge (a place to enjoy snacks and drinks with plenty of tables and couches for doing homework or writing music), and more.
We offer music Instruction on almost every instrument, including vocal lessons. Our instructors are top graduates of their respective industry schools with both extensive teaching and performing experience.
We cater to a full range of students from those with no experience to seasoned professionals. Our clientele ranges in age from young children to senior citizens. Every student has the opportunity to perform on stage regardless of their ability level. We also offer collaboration assistance to individual musicians looking to create their own band.
All of the above mentioned facets (facility, capabilities, quality instruction, and catering to all types of students) combined set us apart from other music schools.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
This has been an amazing experience. If given the opportunity to go back and do it all over again, I honestly would do it the same way.
Pricing:
- $35 / 30-minute lesson
- $68 / 60-minute lesson
Contact Info:
- Address: Onset School of Music
4 Audubon Rd
Wakefield, MA 01880 - Website: OnsetMusic.com
- Phone: 339-293-9393
- Email: info@OnsetMusic.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnsetSchoolofMusic
Image Credit:
Personal Photo Credit: Justin Uga
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