|
|
BiographyABOUT JERRY SNYDER
Jerry is the author of over 100 publications for guitar in styles that include classical, jazz, blues, ragtime, folk, pop and fingerpicking. He is a pioneer in guitar education in the schools having introduced guitar classes into the high school curriculum in 1968 and his method books have been adopted by many schools across the country including his latest method entitled Jerry Snyder’s Guitar School. For seven years, Jerry was the guitar editor for Hansen Publications where he was instrumental in building a comprehensive guitar catalog and in attracting and developing new authors. Jerry has presented over 200 clinics to teachers in the United States and Canada on how to launch a guitar program and how to go beyond the basics. Over the last three years Jerry has also participated in the summer MENC/GAMA teacher workshops in Lake Geneva, Hollywood, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Jerry received his B.A. and M.A. from San Jose State University with an emphasis in instrumental music (clarinet). The guitar, since high school, has been his major gigging instrument. He has studied privately with a number of jazz and classical guitarists.
TEACHING
Jerry began his career in an elementary school district where he taught beginning band instruments, classroom music, vocal music and band at the intermediate school. His 18 years as a high school teacher included teaching marching band, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, orchestra, choir and guitar. For 12 years, he was a teaching Performing Arts Coordinator for the East Side Union High School District (10 high schools, 22,000 students) and was responsible for representing the interests of the music, dance and drama teachers to the district office. Jerry taught guitar classes in Adult Education for five years and during the summer, he has been a guest instructor at various colleges. He is currently teaching a Jazz/Blues Guitar Class at De Anza College in Cupertino, CA.
EDITOR/MUSICIAN
A versatile musician, over the past 30 years Jerry has performed with the America Musical Theatre, Ballet Silicon Valley, the San Jose Symphony (bass clarinet for 5 years and guitars/banjo the last 25 years), Gatos (flute and guitar duo), and for various named artists who perform at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts (Joel Gray, Jack Jones, Bob Hope, Al Martino, Mickey Rooney, Frankie Lane, Rosemary Clooney, George Burns, Benedette Peters and Pavarotti).
ADJUDICATOR/GUITAR SOCIETY
Since 1999, Jerry has served as an adjudicator at various California Music Educator Association Bay Section Festivals. Due to Jerry’s varied teaching background and abilities, he has been invited to adjudicate Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra and the Solo/Ensemble Festival (woodwinds). He is currently the president of the South Bay Guitar Society, a nonprofit presenter of talented guitarists in concerts, in lecture/recitals and in outreach programs in the schools.
|
|
|
