| Woodwind Specialist Jason D. Baker Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, and Oboe |
| Jason began playing clarinet in 1989, in sixth grade; his first year of middle school. His interest was simple but successful for three years until he moved on to high school. In ninth grade Jason took part in a regional competition where he achieved a modest yet coveted placement in the second of two UIL Region Bands for the Houston Area. The performance that ensued was a life changing experience. The very next year Jason surpassed all previous simplicities and made All-State. For three years Jason made All-State making unprecedented strides in his musical growth. With two years of Drum Majoring, five years of church choral experience, and seven years of school theater he found his calling in the arts. |
| In 1996 after graduating high school Jason joined the Marine Corps Bands in hopes of finding his way into the musical world. After completing boot camp and the Naval School of Music in 1997 he served two years in 29 Palms, CA and the last of his four year enlistment in Okinawa, Japan. In August of 2000, as a Sergeant (E-5), he was Honorably Discharged from the military. After leaving the military music world Jason decided it was time for a college degree. In the Fall of 2000 he was accepted to the University of North Texas. In the Summer of 2005 he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education. However, during his college years Jason discovered his passion for private teaching and community ensembles. From 2000 to 2007 he taught privately and performed voluntarily in civic wind ensembles throughout the Dallas and Austin areas. A recent rewarding experience was teaching, playing, and mentoring at the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts summer camp in New York State. This particular experience solidified Jason's instrinsic pedagogical approach to teaching music and has helped motivate his search for the ideal teaching situation. Jason is currently living and working in Anna, TX at a YMCA camp in a very similar camping environment like Frenchwoods while commuting to UNT in Denton, TX to pursue a Masters degree in Family LIfe Education. |
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