Teacher Profile: Johnny Balch

About Johnny Balch

Comics and movies inspired Johnny to pick up the bass guitar at the age of 12. Punk rock sparked his interest in music, and consistent bass lessons and admission to his middle school jazz band helped him develop a love for all styles of music. He performed in jazz bands throughout all of grade school, also delving into playing the upright bass and electric guitar. He was selected to play guitar in Lee County’s All County Jazz Band. Johnny played lead guitar in his youth worship band at Vineyard Community Church of Cape Coral. Johnny plays guitar, bass and keyboards in several bands performing lengthy cover sets at restaurants and festivals across Southwest Florida.

Johnny started teaching music while he was in high school, and he has experience working with students of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds, including young beginners and students with special needs. His goal is to guide students and help them discover what they love about music. As a multi-instrumentalist, he shows his strengths through adaptability. He understands that each person needs to be inspired in a way that is unique to them. In addition to the fundamentals of technique and music theory, he empowers his students to become self-sufficient musicians. Johnny strongly encourages his students to go out to see live music and get involved with other musicians. He believes that passion and patience are the two keys to musical improvement. Although Johnny is a music teacher, he still loves being a student as well! He plays guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin, piano, keyboards and drums, and is still looking to learn more instruments.