Background, professional training and performance history
Jeremy has been playing string instruments of various shapes and sizes for more than 30 years, starting with guitar, then moving on to banjo, mandolin, sitar and several other exotic string instruments. He has been performing for more than 20 years and continues to play in different genres with many different bands, including Bindaas (Indian), the Sugar Beets (psychedelic bluegrass/rock), The Klezmonauts (klezmer), Laura Kemp Trio (folk) and Ghillie Dhu (Celtic). Mostly self-taught, Jeremy recently studied sitar with Kartik Sheshadri, disciple of Ravi Shankar. When not playing music, Jeremy can be found doing molecular biology in a laboratory, or running on the streets and paths of Eugene.
Artist statement and teaching philosophy
"My teaching depends on the goal and the needs of the student. It is always a new adventure. My usual method of teaching is based on the traditional way sitar is taught: sitting with the student and playing back and forth off of each other. Although I usually do not prepare write-out (unless specifically requested by the student), I use the end of the lesson to summarize and write out what we worked on. I encourage students to record their lesson so they can listen back later for clarification where necessary. I want the student to enjoy picking up their instrument and playing it. Therefore I encourage students to bring recorded material or ideas they want to work on; no idea is too silly or unconventional!"
Instruments & classes taught
Jeremy teaches sitar, mandolin, and guitar.