Rising Stars: Meet John Theisen

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Theisen. Them and their team share their story with us below:

El Camino School of Music, Repair & Technology opened in October 2019 and is a Music & Trade School Located in Orlando, FL. that offers a wide variety of courses, workshops, lessons, guest lectures, and events. Our Mission is to empower through music. 

One of the main focuses at El Camino School is trade-based learning, and developing the next generation of guitar technicians. We hold 1-2 day ‘Hobbyist’ courses where people can deepen their understanding and appreciation for their instruments, as well as a 12 Week Trade Program, in which we help students start a career as a Guitar Technician and also assist with Job Placement. 

But that’s not all. We will also offer music lessons, music therapy for special needs children, seminars, and meet-ups. The school’s primary objective is to create a collaboration with the community and music industry in order to impart knowledge for those seeking to further their understanding, careers, or hobbies. We also aim to educate current and aspiring musicians on how the music is created before the artists even strike a string. This includes everything under the surface in creating music, from guitar circuitry to the inner workings of a guitar amp or effects pedals. Musicians that understand how it all works are more likely to succeed in their craft. 

School president and founder John Theisen, a longtime contributor to the local Orlando music scene, has had a love for music and a high amount of respect for the people that make the show possible behind the scenes. Aside from being a musician, he was a community fundraiser and arts administrator for over a decade. Theisen’s vision was to create a space that helps inspire and empower others through learning. This school is a community space where people can come together and learn from other professionals on their journey to becoming an integral part of a production or some future in music. 

The vision is to bring people together to grow in and around music through experiential learning. Aside from the technical aspects of instrument building and repair, El Camino offers Music Therapy, a program that focuses on community building, wellness, and self-empowerment through music. The creation of music, moving to music, and even listening to music can do wonders when dealing with those with cognitive, emotional, and even physical conditions. 

For MORE information visit our website: https://elcaminoschool.com 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The school opened in October of 2019, which was 5 months before the Covid/Pandemic hit. So, shortly after opening, we had to close for quarantine and adapt and retool as much as we could. Our school’s focus was ‘hands-on’ and ‘in person’ learning, so many of our events and courses needed to be postponed for a duration of time. 

Marketing, recruitment, and growth have also been hindered, but we continue to work with every resource and outlet we can to tell our story and reach a wider audience. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Our school is the ONLY school in America that has a training program for Guitar Technicians, and we’re also the only school in Florida that offers hands-on trade courses to professionals and hobbyists looking to build and repair instruments. 

At our facility, we have a custom guitar shop (Scout Guitars) and all our courses are taught by industry professionals. 

Founder & President – John Theisen, is a member of the Recording Academy of Americana and is also the lead singer and washboard player for the Bloody Jug Band; a 6-piece Americana Act from Orlando, FL 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I am not sure LUCK had anything to do with it… although I guess it was lucky or serendipitous that each step in my life has paved the way to where I am now. Each step brought me the skills I needed to continue learning and growing. 

I think even more important than luck was the drive or willingness to go against the grain, and the desire to follow through on the vision for a better community. 

Pricing:

• 12 Week Guitar Technician Program =$7,000
• 2-Day Guitar Building Course = $500
• 1 Day Guitar Set-up Course = $100
• Music Lessons = $55 an Hour

Contact Info:

• Email: info@elcaminoschool.com
• Website: https://elcaminoschool.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elcaminoschoolusa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elcaminoschoolusa
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/elcaminoschool
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/elcaminoschoolusa
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elcaminoschoolusa