Teacher Profile: Jake Parrish

About Jake Parrish

Fascinated by expression and exploration, Jake Parrish has honed his musical and artistic skills from a myriad of perspectives. With nearly a decade focused in learning the guitar and the bass guitar, as well as publishing poems, short stories, podcasts, short films, working in the theater and improv comedy, he has dedicated himself to the pursuit of art. While achieving his degree in English Literature at Austin College, Jake also studied music theory and improvisation under John Mcginn, and performed with a myriad of ensembles, from the pep band on mellophone or bass guitar, to theater performances requiring live improvised electric guitar. He has also had the privilege of studying French Horn performance with Eric Hessel for 2 years

Jake has performed for a large range of audiences, and has found that every audience is equally rewarding. From performing in orchestral ensembles on horn, jazz ensembles on bass guitar, and modern ensembles on guitar. He has performed in pit orchestras (both on bass and guitar), worked in multiple live bands (he currently tours with Dallas band Avae), and has performed live extensively with John Mcginn for the Austin College Improv Troupe, entirely consisting of improvised sketches that Jake and John create in real time.

Teaching guitar and music has become one of his most powerful passions. Music allows the individual to know themselves and the world around them in ways that will change their life for the better forever. He has taught guitar and bass guitar to fellow students, friends, and his parents, as well as tutoring 1-3rd graders in Sherman on reading and grammar. He loves seeing his students learn more about themselves and become passionate about music.

While working in music, Jake also enjoys various other activities and interests, like hiking, fishing, gaming, writing poetry, cultural essays and short stories, working as an actor or sound designer in theater, creating podcasts/short films with his friends, and reading. He finds that by pursuing and creating many forms of art, he can explore various perspectives and ideas and use music to interact with these different mediums.

Creating lifelong artistic explorers and adventurers is his highest passion.