E4: Interview with Jayden Williamson
Jayden is a musician, teacher and business owner that has spent his life serving those around him through music.
In this interview with Jayden we explore the power of collaboration, consultation and team work as essential components in managing change and adaption within business.
Jayden talks about how his career has developed, the adaption needed by JD's Music School during Covid, how he attracts high calibre teachers for JD's Music School, his ability to attract amazing talent to play and gig with and his journey through loosing and then reconnecting with his passion for music.
Jayden Williamson Contact Details:
JD's Music Tuition Facebook Profile
JD's Music Tuition Instagram Profile
Jayden Williamson Bio:
Director of Operations, Arts Operation Coordinator and musician.
Jayden grew up in the Bunbury area starting his musical journey at 8 years of age, learning how to play the drums. By age 13, he had already started gigging and playing locally with cover bands. At 18 he successfully audition for the role in the South West Blues Club's house band "Homebrew", which he would work with for the next 5 years. This lead to him working with a variety of great musicians including Flamin' Crows, Dimond Dave and the Doodaddies, Anita Downes, KNiKi and Mike Beale.
Moving to Perth at 19 and studying at WAAPA allowed Jayden the chance to expand his musical horizons and work with more of WA's top blues and jazz artists including Lee Sappho, The Shinkickers and Nicola Milan.
Moving back to Bunbury in 2012, Jayden quickly became the most in demand drummer, working with everyone in the south west who needed a drummer, including the Big Steve Spouse Band, Nitronet, Nightgame, Skeleton Jump, Michelle Spriggs, Jazztrix, Rastatrix, Jazzdooit, The Jones Facility and Sway, while also playing in his own bands iPhunk and Blues Thieves. It was during this time Jayden started developing the idea of running his own music school.
In 2017 he returned to his old stomping grounds of Australind Senior High School to take up a part time role as a classroom and instrumental music teacher. This has developed over the years to where he is now full time and runs The Arts department. Later that same year, the seeds were planted for his own music school to finally take shape.
In 2018 JD's Music Tuition officially opened its doors and welcomed 42 students in its first week with 6 staff members. Now growing to over 250 students with 16 staff and a building retail selection.
Returning to gigging in 2023 post the COVID worries, Jayden has been able to work with such artists as Tess Merlot, Laine Wolfe, Emily Gelineau and David Rastricks, while still working with his own band ESP.
While gigging just about every weekend, during the week he is busy as The Arts Operations Coordinator at Australind Senior High School, one of only two music specialist schools outside of Perth, and the Director of Operations at JD's Music Tuition, the largest private music school outside of Perth.
