Don Childress, Guitar Instructor

Although younger than other Music Arts instructors, the music school's latest addition to the faculty is brimming with talent, enthusiasm and playing experience.

Don Childress, who sports the nickname "Duck," recently graduated from Bearden High School and has as his life's goal to be a professional musician and teacher.

A guitarist who's familiar with a wide range of music styles, Don especially enjoys rock, jazz, bluegrass, country and blues. He's lead guitarist and vocalist for two Knoxville bands and keeps busy performing.

When he was interviewed for teaching guitar, Don impressed the Music Arts Board of Directors with his past work experiences. Importantly, his employers described him as dependable and highly motivated, with strong people skills.

Don's hope, in teaching, is to pass along his love of music. "I think it's good to pass music around and share it with everybody," he emphasizes. "Everyone deserves a chance to learn." He doesn't put age limits on the students he'll accept. Smiling broadly, he adds "Music is for everybody, not just older people. I have a two year old cousin who loves to hear me play, and although my guitar is too big for her hands, she tries mightily to pick and strum. And I think it's great that she can sit for long periods of time and listen to me."

Don continues, "Obviously there's a certain age when learning abilities are more in tune with making use of lessons." He points out that there are small-size guitars especially made for smaller hands.

At lessons with new students, Don prefers to first see what they already know. He thinks it's important to also find out what their goals are. Do they want to learn just chords, or learn to read melodies? "If they can sit still for scales and music theory, I'd be happy to help them with that, too" he grins.

As a musician who loves his guitar and making music, Don was inspired to play guitar because his father had a guitar. "Dad taught me some chords, and it was 'away we go' from then on," Don says, adding "The bottom line is that I always want my students to have fun. If they're not having fun, then they're wasting their time and their money."