Hi,
My name is Doug Gay. I am Director of Instrumental Music at The Dunham School, and I am Owner and Director of Programs at Baton Rouge Rouge Music Studios LLC. I started this business in 2006 after building a large student base as a private lesson teacher, first working out of my house, then working out of Brook Mays Music at The Mall of Louisiana. I have been a professional musician for 15 years, performing live and working as a session drummer around the country since I was 18 years old.
Growing up in school band programs, and eventually becoming a band director, I understand the value of music education. Participation in band programs does wonders in developing social skills and in establishing the importance of self-discipline in students.
On the flip side, growing up jamming with friends and playing in garage bands taught me more about finding my musical voice and expressing myself through songwriting than middle and high school programs ever did. In college, I began performing in a rock band, touring from Texas to Florida regularly and squeezing in classes when I could. Free time and sleep were scarce, but I managed to expand my network in both the professional music business, and the world of music education. Session work started coming regularly, teaching lessons provided extra money, live performance opportunities continued to build, and in 2001, I completed my degree in music education from NSU with a 3.4 GPA.
I still perform live and in the studio regularly, but smart planning and a clear vision have made time and sleep much more accessible. And the best part is that I’m doing what I love. My mission for this business is to show kids how placing an equal importance on formal music training and simply knowing how to “jam” with others can open up a unique and wonderful world. I live a truly unique life and I don’t think I’ll ever work a 9-5 job. By knowing how to read and write music, I get amazing opportunities to work in the music biz. By knowing how to create the right feel and play the right parts using my musical instincts, I turn those opportunities in to continued business relationships with other professionals.
I want my students to get to do what I do if they so choose to live that life, and if they do not want that life, then I want them to take the importance of self-discipline, adaptability, and the ability to communicate effectively with them into whatever life they choose to live.
My mission in life is to experience as much as possible and to do everything I do the best I can do it; to keep learning and growing; to realize that I will make mistakes, but to be at peace with that and work on fixing them when I make them.
This business is my life, and your kids mean the world to me. I appreciate your trust and faith as we continue to make this business the most effective business it can possibly be.
Sincerely,
Doug Gay
Owner – Baton Rouge Music Studios
