About Luke Chandler
Luke Chandler received his BA in Music in 2006 from his hometown’s University of Texas at San Antonio and his MA in Music Therapy at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. He comes to The Music Room as a Nashville, TN, transplant with a multifaceted musical background involving classical piano training through college; a unique, classically-influenced fingerstyle approach to steel-string acoustic guitar, and a foundation of several years’ experience in bands, jazz ensembles, and choirs, including participation in the TMEA All-State Band (Texas) on the trumpet.
He facilitated individual/group music-making in therapeutic and educational settings during his years in the Boston area and, more recently, taught individual music lessons on piano and guitar, and ventured out as a singer-songwriter in Nashville. In addition to his roles in the store, he remains active as a composer and singer-songwriter, seeking to serve his church and community through his music.
From his music therapy and counseling background, Luke takes an approach to teaching that places emphasis on an unconditional positive regard for the student and the importance of establishing a strong student-teacher relationship to further meaningful musical progress. He is passionate about serving and helping others, sharing with them his passion for music in the process.
Luke is careful to listen to students and offers plenty of encouraging words and constructive criticism without a tone of impatience or anger. “This affords the student a learning environment that feels safe, honest, and free of fear or intimidation, which enables authentic communication. Where there is real trust, there is real learning—and real fun too; I always try to share with my students my own passion for music in the process.”
First piece of music that had a profound effect on me: I really want to say “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber, but way before that it was the theme to Jurassic Park (John Williams). I tried to write it down on notebook paper during reading time in fifth grade, humming it slowly and quietly, with great concentration, and the girl sitting across from me looked at me like I was crazy and said, “Um, you have serious problems.”
Music teacher who inspired me the most:
All my music teachers inspired me, but there are two who made an especially big impact. My private trumpet instructor in high school, Mark Koehl, taught me that being a true musician is so much more than being an instrumentalist. He even blessed my shift of focus to piano as I prepared for college. The second teacher was my private piano teacher in 12th grade, Marsha Perkins, whose enthusiasm and belief in my potential made piano study at the college level possible.
How I am making the world a better place: By doing my best to live a life of love. Loving others and showing them grace as I have been loved and shown grace.
Favorite quote about music: “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” -Martin Mull