Kirk Guthaus
I have been active as a professional musician, classical guitar and other fretted instruments, for nearly 20 years. I studied guitar and jazz studies at Michigan State University before embarking on an 11 year career with the US Army Bands. After my time in the army I began working in public schools in special education. I hold a BA in philosophy, an MA in humanities, certificates in autism education, musicianship, ethnomusicology and music research, and am currently working towards an MM in music education. My plan for the future is to build an adaptive music curriculum that can be used by teachers in school districts and private studios.
Inspiration
In 2015 I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle and have since suffered from chronic pain and physical health issues that have greatly impacted my ability to play music. This journey of rehabilitation has led me to understand the importance of adaptive and alternate methods for playing my instruments, and in working with special needs kids I have found ways to apply my alternate methods to make music performance inclusive and adaptive for my students.
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