Voice, Guitar
Born the son of two Richmond Symphony members, music has been a focal point for Jerome for the entirety of his life. His father has been a music teacher himself for 35 years and founder of the strings program at John B Cary Elementary and stood as Jerome's first musical hero. His father was who motivating him to pursue the cello, starting on the Suzuki method at the age of 7. By 9, Jerome was performing more difficult pieces in front of audiences. Under the purview of regarded composer Jonathan Romeo and V.C.U. guitar head John Patykula, Jerome's musicianship progressed as did his social world and creative interests. Randy Rhoades served as a key inspiration, seeming to fuse the technical mastery Jerome learned to value in his early childhood with modernism and stylistic swagger.
Transitioning from the Richmond Symphony Junior Youth Orchestra, Jerome concentrated on guitar throughout his teens , performing with the V.C.U. Guitar Orchestra as well as on club stages in his own bands, as he began assembling his own first songs. Jerome was drawn to New York City in 1999 and it was there that he met his first vocal coach, Thaddeus Motyka . During this time Jerome honed his songwriting into something leaner and more purposeful , leading to a deal with producers Daniel Wise (NY Dolls , Suzanne Vega , Scissor Sisters) and Larry Dvoskin (MGMT , Bowie , NYU Songwriting). He has enjoyed sharing stage and/or studio time with Simon Kirke (Bad Company) , members of Ryan Adams' and Peter Gabriels' bands, Blue man Group and others.
Further, Jerome has benefitted from the direct mentorship of teachers such as guitar legend Alex Skolnick, Author and Sony staff writer Billy Seidman, and famed Vocal coach Don Lawrence (Axl Rose, Christina Aguialerra). His current project is a series of works refining his sound with Richmond Producer Daniel Deckleman, slated for release in September.
Jerome's students range in age from 5 to 69. He seeks to understand what each individual finds beautiful in the music they love at their current stage of growth, rendering a path towards it more accessible and sometimes, effortless. Jerome enjoys seeing students surprise themselves and sharing a piece of what music is for him; A meaningful quest, a best friend, and a mystery.