Music Teaching / Instruction

In tandem with being a performer, Justin has been a full-time music educator since 2018.  Justin’s philosophy when it comes to music is that at its’ core, we use the term “play music” because it’s supposed to be fun.  Justin teaches in a very relaxed one-on-one style, focusing on making you the musician you wish to be (whether you’re a hobbyist or future Julliard applicant)  and helping you understand why you like the songs you love.  Justin also has years of experience working with trans/ nonbinary and autistic/ neurodivergent children and adults and even older adult students with arthritis and dementia.  All are welcome here - let’s play!

Sun Room Music (2025 - Present)

In May of 2025, Justin launched Sun Room Music - his private lesson/ recording/ rehearsal studio in Durham near Guglhupf, Fosters’ Market, and Rogers-Herr Middle School.  Since launching this initiative, he has taught dozens of students between the ages of 10 and 76 bass, drums, voice, guitar, keyboards, songwriting, music theory, recording, band coaching, improvisation, and just about anything else you can think of.  Lessons typically start on the hour and cost $1 / minute.  All the gear you could possibly imagine is already here - all you need to bring is yourself.  Some weekly lesson availability remains on Wednesdays and Thursdays - Justin also does house calls in the Carrboro and Chapel Hill area on Mondays.  Send an email to ravarymusic@gmail.com for any availability questions.  References from current and former students available on request.

Russell Lacy Music (2025 - Present)

Justin joined the team at Russell Lacy Music in September of 2025, adding to this Durham music institution’s 14- year legacy of providing excellent musical instruction to the Bull City.  Primarily added to the staff to direct the studio’s Ensemble Program, Justin oversees 29 children split into 6 rock bands, teaching them how to interact and collaborate with peers in a musical setting, perform with confidence, and be a reliable and accountable bandmate.  Under Justin’s leadership, the ensembles have learned and performed original material as well as songs from artists as diverse as The Beatles, Radiohead, Fiona Apple, Muse, Dolly Parton, The Killers, Linkin Park, Pearl Jam, Mitski, Fleetwood Mac, Phoebe Bridgers, and so many more. The RLM Ensembles also get real-world gig experience and perform at The Pinhook in downtown Durham every May and December as well as various pop-up community events. Justin also teaches private lessons at RLM on Tuesdays and has slots open for bass, guitar, voice, and keys lessons.  Lesson students have the option to perform at the RLM annual recitals, which take place each May at the Sharp Nine Gallery in Durham.  For more info on taking lessons with Justin, joining an ensemble, or attending a performance, contact Russell at russell@russelllacymusic.com.

School of Rock Chapel Hill (2018 - 2025)

Prior to joining RLM and launching SRM, Justin worked full-time at the School of Rock Chapel Hill. Having started as an instructor the fall of 2018, Justin was promoted to Music Director a year later. Justin was promoted to General Manager of SORCH in May 2022 and held both titles until January of 2025, at which point he stepped down to focus on other creative outlets and work opportunities beyond the corporate structure of the franchise.

During his time at SORCH, Justin taught hundreds of one-on-one lessons for voice, bass, drums, guitar, and keys, but also led band rehearsals and oversaw summer camps and student curricula. Justin also helped to interview and onboard dozens of staff and helped secure performance opportunities for the School of Rock Chapel Hill House Band, an audition-only group of middle and high-school students who get real-world gigging experience.  In summer 2020, SORCH briefly pivoted to online instruction during the pandemic.  In addition to overseeing and onboarding staff in that transition, Justin launched the school’s songwriting program, teaching middle and high school students how to write and perform original material, as well as designing presentations on guitar pedals, songwriting, home recording, gear maintenance, and rock history.

Performance opportunities Justin secured for SORCH during his tenure included 2018 and 2022 performances at the North Carolina State Fair, annual appearances at Carrboro Music Festival and the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, and appearances at some of the best music venues in the state, including the Cat’s Cradle, The Orange Peel, The Station, Local 506, The Blue Note Grill, Motorco Music Hall, Kings, and the Pittsboro Roadhouse. The SORCH house band also goes on a national tour each summer, and Justin has toured with them as far north as upstate New York and as far west as Seattle.  Justin also helped launch New Moon, an annual summer rock band camp that SORCH continues to host on the campus of UNC Asheville, which culminates in a performance at the world-famous Orange Peel in downtown Asheville.

Themed “Best of” shows that Justin has charted and directed for SORCH include The Beatles, David Bowie, The Who, 2000’s Indie Rock, Green Day, Nirvana, Radiohead Vs. Muse, The Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, Tom Petty, The Clash, The Cars, The Doors, U2, Reggae, R.E.M., Peter Gabriel, ABBA, Motley Crue vs. Def Leppard, Steely Dan, Sting & The Police, Michael Jackson vs. Prince, Cream, Smashing Pumpkins, Beck, 1960’s British Psych Rock, and full-album performances of Led Zeppelin’s “III”,  “IV”, and “In Through The Out Door”, Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side Of The Moon”, Radiohead’s “OK Computer” and “In Rainbows”, Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours”, and all 30 songs on The Beatles’ White Album. Justin also oversaw roughly 100 other shows for the school, including assigning appropriate directors and placing students in shows that best matched their strengths and interests.