Lesson Feesfrom $25.00 / 30 Minutes
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About
I am a professional musician and have been performing for over 35 years. I am currently living in the Milwaukee area and lead my own band called Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels. We perform my original compositions while throwing in some classic Sun Record songs from the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. To make myself more marketable I offer solo, duo and trio gigs to clients that don’t need/want a full band.
My musical taste consists of a mix of Old Country, Rockabilly, Rock and Roll and Punk Rock. Milwaukee's Shepard Express magazine described one of my recent releases as ‘humming along with a dark, driving, blues energy’.
One of my proudest moments in my music career was performing on a 2009 east coast tour with the Brian Setzer Orchestra where we played large, sold-out venues. Brian was the singer from the legendary 1980’s Neo-rockabilly band Stray Cats and was a huge influence so opening for him was an incredibly huge honor. I have shared the bill with other legendary acts like Hank Thompson, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Rosie Flores, Lee Rocker, Slim Jim Phantom and psycho-billy wild-man Hasil Adkins. I have performed at notable festivals Uno-A-Go-Go (Chicago), Coney Island Rockabilly Festival (Brooklyn) and Wisconsin’s own SYMCO.
In addition to my music career, I have a Masters in Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture and I have been teaching creativity to all age ranges for the past 25 years. I’ve worked with at-risk youth, elementary, junior high, high school, college and university students.
I pride myself in knowing that, as an instructor, I am here to serve you. I want to know what your musical interests are and what your goal is in taking lessons. Ultimately, my role is simple: I am here to help you achieve those goals in a fun, relaxed and stress-free environment.
I enjoy teaching beginning students of all ages. I strive to have students playing simplified chords immediately. From experience, I know that when a student realizes how quick and easy it is to create pleasing sounds from their instruments then they will be more motivated to continue with learning. Part of our first session together is a discovery of what kind of music the student is passionate about. I enjoy the challenge of finding a song that they love and working towards the ultimate goal of them knowing how to play that song. Fundamentals of music is extremely important and we will focus a good portion of classes on this integral part of music-making.
I have always viewed teaching as a two-way street. I learn so much from my students and I am passionate about continuing to learn while teaching from my own experiences. I am always looking to hone my craft and take/attend music classes, seminars, workshops, etc., to accomplish this.
Certified Loog Instructor 2022
M.F.A. 2001 University of Kansas
B.F.A. 1997 University of Kentucky
I have been writing/playing music since 1982. I have released two albums - one pre-digital age (1999 - GIddy Up GO!!) and one post-digital age (2019 - Skippin' Chicken). I have also released four post-digital age singles. I am currently (Spring 2022) working on both a solo and a full band album to be released later in the year. I currently have three agencies booking my shows - Wisconsin Music Ventures, TEC Entertainment and ACA Entertainment.
All of my beginning students start with learning songs/music that they are passionate about. As we proceed, we will begin exploring other necessary skills to take them on a path that will allow them to achieve their goals.
I look forward to working with each and everyone of you!!