Jefferson Merys
“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats”
About Jefferson
Jefferson began learning the piano at the age of three, and since middle school has worked as an accompanist, performer, and teacher. For many years, he served as the Youth Choir/substitute pianist at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Mission, KS, and as the collaborative pianist for choral, band, and musical theater productions at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, KS. Alongside this, he managed his own private piano studio, and entertained staff and customers with his upbeat playing style at Von Maur in Overland Park, KS.
Seeking to enter the professional world of pop and rock music as a songwriter and composer, Jefferson attended Berklee College of Music, graduating in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Music Studies. He was lauded for his unique, theatrical approach to songwriting, and given the opportunity to explore writing for pop, film, orchestra, jazz, and advertising music. Jefferson also earned a Recording Arts Certificate and an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in piano and songwriting from Johnson County Community College in 2016.
Jefferson’s Instructional Approach
Jefferson understands that everyone learns differently, and does his best to tailor lessons to each individual student. Although his true passion is rock and roll, he believes that his education in classical music brought him to where he is today, and that all piano players should have some proficiency in the most popular music styles. That being said, he is happy to cater to a preferred genre of music. He is also compassionate towards shy and hesitant personalities, creating a safe space where students can feel comfortable in learning their new craft. Most of all, Jefferson believes that learning music should be fun, and that strict rules and\ overanalyzing can remove all of the excitement and joy that playing an instrument can bring.
Practice Tips
Practicing for a few minutes is better than not practicing at all. It can be challenging to find the time and patience to work through difficult pieces that require a lot of repetition to get right. If you’re having trouble, playing through that piece or even just a small section once a day will eventually get you where you want to be.
Favorite Tunes
- ● Rock – “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” – Elton John
● Pop – “Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish
● Alternative – “Morph” – Twenty One Pilots
● Jazz – “I’ll See You in My Dreams” – Isham Jones and the Ray Miller Orchestra
● Classical – “Mélancolie” – Francis Poulenc
