An unexpected musical journey...
Bringing Melodies to Life
Hi, I'm John J Hunter II,
and I have always loved listening and making music.
These two photos are evidence of where I started (about 8 yrs old) and where I ended up (with an Masters of Arts in Choral Conducting).
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From years of musicking, in both classical or improvisatory settings, whether it be performer, audience member or instructor, I've drawn compliments in the area of musicality on a variety of instruments including the voice, and even as a Conductor.
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Humble Beginings
If you asked me during my high school years, what I would be doing later in life, my answer would be... "I don't know".
I played drums longer than any other discipline in music. The lessons I learned as a percussionist were valuable and transferable to other disciplines such as piano, singing, pipe organ and conducting.
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Each of these areas of musical expression have their own standards of excellence and I have received recognition in each of these areas especially for Musicality.
Expressive Musicality Coaching/Masterclass
is for musicians who have great technique but have a hard time expressing the artistic aspect of music.​
The purpose of the Expressive Musicality coaching is to help You...
Capture
the Audience...
within...
You!!!
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Capture Your Audience within You!!!
The key to capturing your audience is You!!!
People who are found to be disingenuous eventually loose their audience...
The stench of false authenticity is amplified more within music.
Don't settle for sounding "White"...
It is popular to sell out, but it is destructive to your purpose.
[Disclaimer of what it means to sound “White”] -
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Often the term "sounding White" has a racial slant to it which could be limiting and derogatory towards people that portrays unfavorable characteristics to people's abilities. I have found that musical abilities are not tied to race. The term can still be used to describe music that is dull and lifeless. Visually a canvass is white or another neutral color and the interesting part of a painting or document has contrasting colors. My use of this term refers to the performances of people who have lost their way by substituting technique or rudiments as musical substance instead of being true to their personalized but researched interpretation of musical creation. Expressive Musicality uses personalized colors to convey a message during live performance.
AI has taken main stage in music because so called musicians allowed the definition of music to be changed initially. What it means to be musical now and what it meant to be musical back in the days is different like Night and Day.
You don’t want the audience to fall in love with a person you emulate, but you want them to fall in love with you...
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So you might as well show them You!!
That's why my Expressive Musicality Coaching is key.
This course is for those of you who have lost their way in technique but desire those layers of creativity and nuance.
Take a journey with me to a time when every moment was full of curiosity excitement, and wonder!
then...
Once we get there...
Let us guide the listener to the hidden land where only the child-like hold the key...
Study 1 on 1 with a person who's not stranger to World Stages. Who's performed as Musical Conductor, Singer, Percussionist and Actor who is noted for His Leadership and Musicality across the board.
Performers that desire to hear roaring applause followed by standing ovations and achieve the much harder "not a dry eye in the room effect",
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I have created The Expressive Musicality Coaching for 1 on 1 settings.
(Master Classes also available upon request)
Expressive Musicality Coaching
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” — Pablo Picasso
After coaching...you will be on your way to becoming the proverbial Rockstar in your field as a performer. Having the confidence to breaking the rules instead of obeying self-proclaimed experts who hover their opinions over the masses. You’ll be carving the path instead of living under the lifeless rules of
non-musical scholars.
What's included in Expressive Musicality Coaching ?
Journey back to Childhood
Childhood represents human beings in our purest form. We are openly honest, creative, uninhibitive, not judgemental, not afraid to make mistakes. We start here because in this area of life we find our uniqueness and it is purely us. Often later in life we are pressured to give up our essence in exchange to fit a societal mole which is inherently lifeless.
Perspective of a Singer
Singers have access to one of the most diverse instruments. The voice can imitate just about anything. Singers have the responsibility to communicate clearly and with accuracy. Phrasing and articulation are paramount.
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Engaging ​
the Heart
Without a heart, a body cannot function. The life of anything is found in the heart. In this section, I will pull from a variety of areas to help to engage the heart which is vital to performance. The heart both reacts and creates different moods and this is important to every style of work. The heart is the driving force behind all music.
Theatrical
Training
This area is often foreign to musicians. We often think of verbal communication, but most of the communication in acting is actually non verbal. Most singers have an understanding of this, but instrumentalist often ignore the theatrical, but what we convey with our bodies and on our faces has an effect on the performance.
Perspective of a Percussionist
Percussion is probably one of the hardest feats in terms of making the instrument sound interesting. It requires more effort and thought to sound original and to make things sound more interesting. The voice has mass variation but percussionist need to work harder to create interest and fresh perspective. Addition of Rhythmic interest in imperative to an expressively musical performance.
Testimonials
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“He had the people skills, creativity and patience to get singers and accompanist performing far beyond what they saw themselves as capable of or even knew was possible”
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~ Laura Harkonen
​Former Organist/Choirmaster Stokesland United Methodist Church, Danville VA
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“His performances were extremely musical and displayed excellent conducting technique with good eye contact…John is gracious, kind, respectful, and exudes a hearty laugh when appropriate... He embraces high ethical standards and is pleasant and positive in his relationships with others…”
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~ Peggy Dettwiler, D.M.A
​Director of Choral Activities - Mansfield University
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“...I can honestly say that John was the student who practiced the longest and hardest in organ studio... Whatever musical endeavor John was involved in; his musical skills were deeply evident. He was always well prepared; his interpretations were well thought out in advance…He is sincere and honest, yet fun-loving individual with a high degree of personal integrity...”
~Beth Palmer
​former Organist/Choirmaster St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church - Hershey, PA
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“…John Hunter, ’06, wasn’t a singer when he came to Averett, but it didn’t take long for that to change. Hunter, who started out as a theater major, ended up majoring in music and now sings with the New York Youth Symphony...In a recent letter to music professor Dr Tim Montgomery, Evan Wels, Director of the symphony, said of Hunter, “John Hunter has been an enormous contribution to our program. Thank you for preparing him for our ensemble!”...
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~Averett today, Vol. 1, Issue 1 Fall 2007. Page 24
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Frequently
Asked
Questions
Will this work for me? - As long as you are willing to learn, I can teach you. I have taught many behind the podium how to be musical. To meet with me 1 on 1 is rare. I can fully explain my process and my ideas that help me to interpret music with almost no effort.
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Is it worth the money? - I have seen no other course like this out on the market. I am going to share with you the essence of expressive musicality. Like Beethoven broke rules and achieved success, I will show you how to break the rules and come out as a revolutionary in your own musical interpretations. If you are moldable, I can teach you.
