Meet Kenneth Pritchard | Owner & Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenneth Pritchard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenneth, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I returned to Dallas after a decade in Chicago in 2009, I was looking to utilize the performance degree I’d obtained from Columbia College and expand on the private lessons I’d already been teaching at home around the area. I began working for a private music studio in Allen and developed their programs from simple lessons into jam sessions and full band performances at the recitals. However, the limitations set by the studio hampered a lot of the personal creativity that students were searching for in their lessons. This frustrated us to no end because we could see a hole in the private lessons that needed to be filled.

Around 2017, my wife and I began discussing opening our own school where the students could learn the three pillars of successful music performance: Reading, Theory, and Ensemble Awareness. In 2018 we opened our first physical location in south Garland. There we were able to open up the performances to student suggestion in song choice as well as providing further options for genre and orchestration in pop music. It was a huge success and by our third year we were nearly full up in enrollment and for performances.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been playing music since my grandmother gave me her guitar in 1992. I began playing in bands when I was 15 years old. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by extreme talent, and by 1996 I was playing in bars and venues in Deep Ellum at least once a month. My first gig was in the now defunt “Jay’s Cafe” and my second paying gig was at Trees where they wouldn’t let us leave the venue after load in since we were all under 21. I was self taught until college, which was difficult to retro-fit the idioms and common pitfalls I experienced without proper training prior. However, by studying hard and applying what I learned, I was able to graduate proficient in not only guitar, but drums, piano, and vocal performance.

From Dallas, I moved with a fellow musician to Chicago where I received my degree in instrumental performance at Columbia College Chicago in ’07. In the beginning, I studied jazz extensively but ultimately moved away from it. My focus shifted after working as a studio musician at Rosehip Studios doing guitar work for local groups. In that time I recorded guitar tracks for a Ukrainian pop singer, the rap artist Twista, and hundreds of lines for commercial use through the recording studio.

The teaching aspect of my career did not take shape until I left school and needed a consistent revenue to supplement my work at a local animal hospital. It was these first few months that I molded my lessons to support the exact needs of each individual student. After moving back to Texas, I further shaped how my approach to private lessons and how they should meet the needs of my students.

I think the world should know that each person has their individual voice, whether it is singing or playing an instrument, and our school can help them achieve their goals musically no matter what the path may be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a tough question because there are just so many fun things to do here in the DFW area. I live in Garland and like Alice Cooper I love to golf, so if they feel the same we’d check out one of Firewheel’s excellent courses for the day. If not, probably go to our little downtown square where they’d have their pick of excellent food and drink. There are also events there so who knows if we’d catch something like the Garland Guzzler .5 mile or a parade. Afternoon would be great to take the DART downtown to the DMA for an exhibit or to the Meyerson for a performance. Then head into East Dallas and catch a show at the Balcony club or people watch at Lounge Here in the evening for a night cap.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes out to my wife, Caroline. She is the inspiration behind this business and was the key administrator when we began this endeavor. She is the most understanding, kind, and capable person I’ve ever met. She faces adversity head on without being confrontational; is tough and compassionate. A perfect modern woman, she is a provider, caretaker, and mother. She’s incredible and I love her!

Website: https://www.pritchardschoolofmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pritchardschoolofmusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pritchardschoolofmusic/

Image Credits
Brent Elrod
Caroline Pritchard
Kerry North