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Welcome to another of our teacher interviews! We love to create connections between students, teachers, and our community and what’s a better way than a fun interview with our teachers! Every now and then we’ll be sharing on our blog an interview with a Loud & Clear teacher so students and our community alike can get to know about our incredibly talented staff.
We sat down with Paul Lesigonich, who teaches piano, ukulele, and drums. Follow along as we learn more about Paul and his musical journey!
Question: Hi Paul! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Paul: Hi! I’ve been a musician pretty much my entire life! I grew up in Louisville, Ohio and was a part of the marching band, playing percussion! I’ve played in multiple bands and have had my fair share of time on stage performing. For my collegiate education, I attended Kent State-Stark for Music Technology. In my spare time, I like to play video games, practice my instruments, and spend time with my dog, Lucy.
Q: Who are some of your musical inspirations?
P: In the early days of me being a musician, I really enjoyed listening to the marching band! That’s what inspired me to get into percussion. Once I got to high school, I listened to metal and progressive rock, especially bands such as Dream Theater, Rush, and Korn. Currently, JD Beck and Louis Cole are two of my favorites. I’m a little all over the place! I love looking for new stuff.
Q: Who is your favorite composer and why?
P: Probably Chopin, but Debussy is a close second. I like Chopin just because it’s great music! It’s a good blend of technically demanding music, but also really good compositions to play and listen to! I love the Romantic Era more than other classical eras and those two composers exemplify what I enjoy about the Romantic Era.
Q: What are some of your favorite performances you’ve done?
P: Pretty much any of the metal gigs I’ve done, especially Jamboree (a metal fest). At those shows are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet!
Q: What is your least favorite instrument?
P: Harmonica…I’ve never liked the sound of a harmonica. I just don’t like reeds in general.
Q: Do you think the piano is a string or percussion instrument?
P: I thought hard on this. Technically it’s both, therefore it’s neither. Based on the nature of how you play it, it’s percussion.
Q: What song usually plays at the back of your head?
P: Whatever the last thing I was working on, like whatever my students were playing in their lessons. If not that, 80s or 90s music probably!
Q: If you could collaborate with any band, who would it be and why?
P: Black Midi because their compositions are crazy! Another would be Bent Knee because they’ve got some awesome writing processes going on.
Q: If you had to give up one of your 5 senses, what would it be and why?
P: Smell. I don’t need to smell. Although I’d miss smelling good food!
Q: What is your hidden talent?
P: I have so many…it’s hard to say. I make really good deviled eggs? I’m double-jointed in my thumb. I used to be able to fit my whole fist in my mouth, but I don’t know if I can do that anymore…I’m also a good cook and can do that clover thing with my tongue.
Q: Final question! If you could meet and composer dead or alive, who would it be?
P: Probably Mozart. I feel like he’d be fun to hang out with. I think Chopin and Debussy would be a little dramatic and emo, whereas Mozart would want to have a good time. He was lowkey rich.
Thank you Paul for taking time to talk with us! We hope you’ve enjoyed this Teacher Talk and we look forward to our next one.