Jordan’s journey with music has always revolved around teaching. Trained as a percussionist and equally at home on the piano and guitar, he describes himself as a jack of all trades. From a young age, he was drawn to the energy and structure of band life, especially the tight-knit world of marching band. In his early twenties, a high school band director invited him back to help with the summer band program, and something just clicked. From that moment on, he knew he was meant to teach. Even his father, after seeing him in action, told him, “You were made for this.”
Jordan spent more than fifteen years helping students in school programs across Atlanta and Orlando, working with percussion, guitar classes, and small ensembles. In 2019, he transitioned to private lessons full time, and today, he teaches nearly thirty students each week. Most are young beginners, and Jordan approaches each lesson with calmness, patience, and genuine curiosity. “It has been remarkable to see how different they all are,” he says. “I meet them where they are, every time.”
While he can perform, Jordan never felt the same calling to the stage. What fuels him is the teaching itself, seeing progress, building relationships, and creating a space where students feel safe to explore and make mistakes. “Mistakes are essential to learning,” he says. “Without them, we don’t really grow.”
Since 2018, Jordan has also been part of a weekly jam session in Orlando, where musicians of all ages and skill levels gather to play together. It started casually with a friend preparing for a show and evolved into a vibrant community of players and friends. “Some are virtuosos, some are beginners, but everyone comes together,” he explains. “It is one of the most joyful parts of my week.”
Jordan’s favorite part of the lesson process is the energy exchange with his students. Whether a student is full of excitement or struggling to focus, he brings steady encouragement and gentle redirection. “I take my role seriously,” he says. “This is a really impressionable time in their lives. I want the energy I bring into the room to be something they can count on.”
He believes in fluid goal-setting. Students often guide the direction of their own learning through feedback and preferences, and Jordan is happy to shift materials if something isn’t clicking. “They will tell you if they don’t like a piece,” he says. “We keep the goal, but we might change the path.” For himself, he is constantly refining his teaching practice, staying humble and open to learning. “I go to bed thinking about how I can be a better communicator. There is no finish line.”
Balancing creativity and technique is a constant effort. Jordan uses strong foundational methods like the Faber piano series, but also adapts lessons to the needs of each student. “Some kids have amazing ears and learn quickly by rote. Others need structure. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.” He leans into demonstration and hands-on exploration rather than too much explanation. “If I spend fifteen minutes talking and fifteen playing, that’s not a good lesson. I want students to be physically practicing the skill.”
The moment Jordan knew music would always be part of his life came when he heard Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata for the first time as a child. He can still recall the feeling vividly. “I had heard music before,” he says, “but that was the moment I really heard it.”
Over the years, many students have reminded him of the impact he makes. One told him he was the reason they stuck with drumming. Others have sent thank-you messages years after their lessons. But sometimes, it is the smaller things that stand out most. One young student drew a detailed picture of their lesson room, every chair, flower, and piano book included, and gave it to Jordan as a gift. Months later, she drew the same scene again. “That was her way of saying she loves the space we create together,” he says. “That meant everything to me.”
For Jordan, the joy of teaching is not about prestige or perfect performances. It is about presence, connection, and helping each student find joy in music. Every small moment matters, and he brings care and passion to each one.