Nathan Tensen-Woolery of Ghost in the Water on Music and Arts Education

How did you get into making music, and how did arts education (or lack thereof) affect you and your music?

Both Mandy and I got into music pretty young. Mandy started singing in church at a very early age. I had loved music all through my childhood, and finally began to take lessons (cello) at about age seven or eight. But as far as actually making music… I think I wrote my first songs when I was in my early teens. We actually started making music together when we were 16. We both grew up in a fairly small town, so the avenues for making music were primarily church and school.

I can’t express enough how important arts education was to my development. Honestly, I am sure that I would not be doing what I am today had it not been for arts education in public schools. My very first instrument was the cello. Without elementary school orchestra and the instrument they supplied I never would have had studied music at all. The thought of actually being a musician never
would have occurred to me had it not been for that early exposure to music and it’s performance.

Oh, and art class… What a wonderful thing high school art classes are! It’s the safe haven for all of the misfits and weirdos! But, in retrospect, I learned SO much just hanging out in the art room, chatting with the teacher and the other students. Had it not been for those experiences I would not be the person I am today. No doubt about it.

This post is part of our 60-hour blogathon in support of music development and literacy within the Twin Cities. We appreciate you visiting the site – but before you go, we ask that you consider clicking the Donors Choose banner below and giving what you can to help enrich the lives of a number of local children through music and reading. Thank you. – Culture Bully