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Introduction and Background

- Kareem McCullough introduced himself as a musician living in the DC metro area, specializing in classical guitar.

- He has been playing guitar since age 14, studied music education at Radford University, and earned a master's in performance at Marshall University.

- He taught high school for about 5 years and now runs a private studio. He's also been the guitar ensemble director of the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute (Leyenda Foundation) for 8 years.

Early Musical Interests and Influences

- Initially wanted to play piano, but got interested in guitar after a friend's dad played blues guitar, which inspired him deeply.

- Enjoyed music from a young age, influenced by R&B, soul, jazz, and rock legends like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, and Muddy Waters.

- Played in a rock band in high school, wrote and recorded songs, and was heavily into blues and rock.

Senior Recital and Classical Music

- Kareem's senior recital was “ambitious”, titled "Sweets and Sonatas," where he performed complete classical pieces including Bach's violin suite BWV 001 in A minor, the Cavatina suite, Giuliani sonata, and Suite del Recuerdos.

- He experienced severe stage fright during undergrad but overcame it through rigorous performance classes and practice.

Teaching Philosophy

- Emphasizes breaking down complex musical concepts into simple, digestible parts and building from there.

- Believes in teaching music theory by contextualizing it in real life rather than rote memorization.

- Stresses the importance of educators practicing what they preach and demonstrating skills to students.

- Treats serious students like college freshmen to prepare them realistically for a music career.

Challenges in Music Education and Identity

- Discussed the difficulty of being a black classical guitarist and the rarity of black musicians in classical music.

- Highlighted the internal and external challenges black musicians face, including stereotypes and lack of representation.

- Emphasized the need for solidarity among black musicians and breaking down stereotypes about race and music genres.

Composing and Creative Process

- Kareem's composing started in high school with rock band songwriting, then paused during undergrad due to difficulties with the composition professor.

- Resumed composing during the pandemic, creating pieces like "Under Quarantine" and "Internal Shadows," inspired by personal experiences and social events.

- Described composing as an improvisational and iterative process, often starting with a melody or ending and building around it.

Cultural and Racial Identity in Music

- Explored the complexity of defining "black music" and the diversity within black culture and experiences.

- Discussed the importance of authenticity in music, reflecting personal and cultural experiences rather than fitting into racial stereotypes.

- Addressed the social challenges and systemic oppression that affect black musicians' access and representation in classical music.

- Advocated for expanding the narrative to include diverse black experiences and rejecting limiting categorizations.

Open Questions

- How to create research and spaces that support black musicians without marginalizing small communities or boxing artists into categories?

- How to balance acknowledging cultural identity and avoiding virtue signaling or tokenism in music?

- How to encourage and support black musicians in classical music, given systemic barriers and stereotypes?