Teacher Feature: Winston Roye
BASS & Drum Instructor
Tell us a little more about your background! Where are you from?
I was born in New York City, and raised in NYC, New Hampshire and New Jersey. I'm a professional musician, and work with touring and recording bands and artists, and on Broadway in the orchestras of various shows.
What do you like to do when you're not teaching or playing music?
I love pinhole photography, cooking and carpentry.
What are you working on right now?
The never ending challenge of improving my bowing technique! And slowly writing a bass instruction book.
Where/how can we follow you and your music?
I'm on Instagram, @wroye. There's someone use with my same handle, but mine has my picture on it, so that's the way to tell the difference. Or you can got to my website: winstonroye.com That has all sorts of info about me, and my very dreamy photos.
Who/what are your top 3 favorite artists/bands right now?
I'm revisiting all the Soundgarden albums, the various soundtracks of Bernard Herrmann, and country artist Morgan Wade.
What is one piece of advice that has shaped your view of being a musician?
Keep an open mind, and constantly switch channels on the radio so you hear all sorts of music. And expose yourself to all sorts of art in general. Movies, dance, museums, food, books...get out there and sponge up as much culture as possible.
How do you stay motivated and continue to learn and grow as a musician?
I take on new projects that I'm not totally solid with, and just work on them to get better.
Where can we see you play? Do you have any gigs coming up?
I'm playing with children's artist Laurie Berkner. I"m doing a musical at the Paper Mill Playhouse in April called, "Gun & Powder". It's a pretty mixed bag, so go to my website or Google my name and a whole bunch of stuff will come up.
If you had to create a soundtrack for your life, what would be the top three songs on it?
Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring", Earth Wind & Fire's "After The Love Is Gone", and "Thinking Of You" by A Perfect Circle.
What is your opinion on the evolving landscape of the music industry and its impact on young musicians?
AI and technology will create more music. And that will also mean that more people will yearn for music played by actual humans. Sitting in a room hearing sound coming right from the person playing it, right in front of your eyes, will never go away.
Share your thoughts on the value of music education in a person's life.
You can always learn something. No matter how amazing you are, there's someone that can help you get better at expressing yourself. If you can take lessons from a music teacher, please try to do it.
What's your favorite genre, type of music, or technique to teach?
I specialize in "popular" music. This is in my opinion, everything that is not Indigenous American Classical Music (Jazz) or European Classical Music.I enjoy it because I have a LOT of experience in this very broad range of music that you listen to, and dance to.
If you could bring one famous musician back to life for a jam session, who would it be, and what song would you play together?
I would sure love to play a song with the late Jeff Buckley.
What band/musician/song is a guilty pleasure?
I love ABBA.
How did you become interested in teaching music, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?
I always wanted to teach bands how to play music, and when Jon, the owner of Lakehouse told me he was doing this, it seemed like the perfect fit.
Beyond your role as a music teacher, what are some of your life goals?
I want to design and build my own house. I want to assemble an amazing mobile recording studio, I want to travel to the South Pole.
How have your personal experiences and background influenced you teaching/music?
I've learned that everybody, no matter what their talent level is, can make a powerful musical moment if they aren't afraid to let their raw emotions come out into the music.
Share a memorable teaching moment where you witnessed a student's breakthrough or transformation.
It actually wasn't one of my students. At the Big Gig, one of the bands on the bill was missing a player who was sick. I saw them, without any help from any teachers, rearrange the order of their set, and the arrangements of some of the songs, to a put on a great show without one band member. Their teacher obviously gave them enough confidence to be a BAND on their own.
What do you find most rewarding about being a music teacher?
Seeing the "Aha" moment on someones face when they hear something that a second ago was a huge insurmountable hurdle, become possible and playable.
How do you view the role of mentorship and personal connections in music instruction?
Mentorship is extremely important. Especially if any students want to pursue music for a living. Doctors and lawyers have people in their practice that help them, and give them advice. Musicians are no different. I've mentored a number of Broadway bass players, and you have to give mentees all the tools to really shine.
How do you balance your personal life with your performing and teaching commitments?
I try to take care of myself. I try to get as much sleep as possible, stretch, and eat well. And I'm SLOWLY building up a roster of students. Slow and steady wins the race!
Share a memorable life experience or adventure that has shaped who you are.
During the pandemic I stopped playing music for about 6 months and focused on carpentry. Right before that, I was doing a Broadway show and I was totally burned out. Stepping away from music made me really appreciate it more when I was ready to get back to it.
In your opinion, what can students gain from learning music that will serve them in life?
Learning music will help with: mathematics, solving problems, working with others, and thinking outside the box. It will lower depression and make you healthier. Later in life it will help you fight memory loss and dementia. And you'll gain self confidence, because you'll know you can stand in front of a crowd and take the reins.