Instructor Spotlight: Tim Quinn

Meet Tim Quinn! Community Education Classes: Guitar Basics, Advanced Guitar.

Have you always been passionate about music? What is your background or training?
I have always had a passion for music. My earliest memories of childhood are of my reaching up to a piano when I could hardly even reach the keyboard. I have a BA in Applied Music with guitar being my major instrument. I have taught music in Christian schools for 8 years as well as taught private lessons in guitar for over 20 years.

From your perspective, what would you recommend to someone who is interested in exploring an instrument, but never had lessons as a kid — or quit before they got any good? Is it ever too late?
No, I do not believe that it is ever too late to explore music. I would recommend that someone begin with piano since it is a marvelous instrument to utilize in learning basic music theory. It can also be very helpful to have a piano background when learning how to play the guitar.

How do you think music expression affects people?
I believe that God has given to us the ability to express our deepest emotions through music. Music is a gift that allows us to express our joys, our sorrows, our awe and our wonder and our questions about life. Music can lift the spirit, sooth the hurting heart and calm the fears of life.

What has been your favorite experience so far in teaching or playing music?
I enjoy that “aha” moment when a student “gets it.” I remember one young student who began to actually mimic my body language when he was playing his guitar. The instrument was no longer a thing to be mastered but a means of expressing his faith and his love for music.