My journey as a youth band leader by Calvert Stephens (The Junction’s Youth Band Leader at Base Studios)

Looking back on my year on The Junction project.

No one could have started off with less experience at teaching than me, but I was ready for the challenge. I was signposted to the opportunity by Chris Jones, Head of Dudley Performing Arts, who thought I may be ready and suitable for the next step in my career. So, with the help of Jonny Amos (The Junction’s Artistic Director) and the support of the other youth band leaders in my phase, I became familiar with teaching techniques that I would use to educate the bands.

Music has been a big part of my life since I was small, so improving other musicians and showing them new skills came more naturally than I initially thought it would. However, getting to know how to treat the students was a slow process for me. I’m not an overly confident person when I’m around new people, but learning some ice breakers from the training helped me ease into the teaching role a lot faster than I would have on my own, and once I got to know the group, I was a lot more comfortable in the environment and with my purpose there.

What I have found to be the most important tool whilst teaching is understanding. Understanding your students, knowing what they want to be as a musician and what they need to learn to reach that goal. Understanding who they are, treating them as an individual to nurture their creativity and not pushing them to be someone else. Understanding that they are people and treating them with respect, to build not only a teacher student relationship but a friendship as well, because you will be surprised what you can learn from your students, about music and how to teach.

This project has helped me grow as a person and a musician and I feel a lot better about the future and what I can achieve.  I’ve nearly finished my time on The Junction project now and I’m looking forward to what I can get involved in next!