Check Out Jon Torrence’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Torrence

Hi Jon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a musician, educator, and a songwriter. Music has always played a large role in my life, from the church music I heard and played as a child to the curiosity and drive to pick up the instruments that we had lying around our house. My father is a musician and was the first person to get me hip to Miles Davis when I was 12 and not into band (I had just started trumpet) but after hearing what the horn could do, that was one of the first musical sparks I had really felt! The freedom of putting your own stamp on an established tune through improvisation, that just spoke to me. The theme of creation and improvisation is something that would travel with me throughout my whole life. I was always enamored with stories, the concept of world-building within a new framework, so my expression would show itself in short stories I would write, comic books I would draw with original characters, even in improv radio station DJ skits I would run with my older brother!

When I was a teenager, I found poetry to be an outlet, and that led naturally into songwriting as I picked up the guitar. All of this became an integral way for me to process my anger, confusion, my faith, longing, the overall human experience. This wasn’t a conscious act, it’s just what made sense to my brain. Looking back, I can see all the ways in which music has played a significant role in shaping who I am.

In my later high school years, I re-joined band on trumpet with the thought of going to school for music (and I felt that I should learn how to read music). I was provided with an opportunity to be a part of a small jazz combo (myself on trumpet) where I got to stretch my legs a bit with improvisation and composition, then I headed into college for music education. I didn’t have a goal to become a music teacher, but I knew I wanted to do something that had to do with music in my life. In my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to go into an elementary classroom for some in field experience, and at this school there happened to be a handful of guitars stashed away in a corner. We had some creative license with lesson planning, so I decided to teach the kids some guitar chords and just have fun with it! That was the moment the spark hit in finding creativity within education: I could create engaging lessons and be the one to expose my students to the music that changed my life!

When I started teaching, I took a break from gigs like I had done in college, but I was writing a lot of music for my students, as a lot of the resources I found I felt were corny and inauthentic… I knew if I didn’t want to play the music, the students wouldn’t want to participate or listen either. I had ears that craved something more complex as a kid, so I figured their ears deserved to hear something that was thought-through, something that had depth. They shouldn’t be short-changed just because they were children, and I really fell in love with arranging folk songs from around the world to teach concepts and writing a lot of original music.

As my family grew, I started gigging more ambitiously again, consistently writing for multiple music projects: music performed at venues, showcases, and small festivals, music written for young people, and instrumental music for freelance (podcasts, etc.). It was initially for offsetting the costs of raising a family, but more and more aspects of building into a creative body of work kept making sense to my brain. Now, through playing live and through social media, I’ve been able to connect with people from different parts of the world, sharing music that I’ve written and scored, and performing music that is meaningful to me!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been an interesting road. Finding my voice and exploring my role; what I have to offer the vast world of music, has been unconventional…at least to how I would’ve thought it’d go! The logistics of starting a family, being an active musician, and a full-time teacher have been tricky waters to navigate, but there is an art form to finding balance. And I’m still working on it!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a writer, educator, and performer! I write music that music educators can use within their own classrooms and on stages for choral performances as well as genre-blending music that I perform at various venues. In my own performance, I value eclecticism and am also a live-looping musician: layering beatbox rhythms, harmonies, and instrumental layers with guitar and trumpet for improvisation and creating unique moments during shows.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I look to continue deepening my catalogue of compositions and resources for other educators, while expanding my reach for touring and live dates. I also love the idea of working with other music educators in a capacity to where we can help breathe life into each other’s programs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jontorrencemusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jon.torrence
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenativeheartmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JonTorrence

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Tayleen Theisen – Studio Chere Photography

Additional:
Rob Hasselbach
Lad Strayer