In the 5th grade, I realized I wanted to play the drums. So I began taking drum lessons and progressed to being a snare drummer in the Atlanta All-City Orchestra in the 7th grade. From there, I began playing drum ‘kits’ more and more (practicing in our apartment home, which some neighbors did not appreciate), through high school as part of the marching band, as well as part of a Top-40 garage band. It was in my senior year in high school that I realized I could not take my drums outside and sit under a tree to play music. So I taught myself how to play acoustic guitar. Since then, I have not only continued to play the drums, but have focused upon playing guitar (acoustic, electric, and bass).
I attended both Belmont College in Nashville, TN as a Music/Business Major, followed by a Commercial Music/Recording degree from Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. I had the unique privilege of being one of two accompanying guitarists for Amy Grant’s first public coffeehouse concert in Nashville’s Koinonia coffeehouse. As an Associate Pastor, I began to lead worship with guitar, overseeing the worship team, leading worship at retreats, or home fellowship groups and gatherings. I later became a Senior Pastor and have done this for 14+ years, continuing to lead worship, lead and teach Biblical foundations for worship playing/leading, and to primarily lead and/or play in worship settings of traditional or contemporary worship songs.
My desire is to instill into the students the joy and wonder of playing guitar, primarily towards ‘worship-type’ songs, while incorporating many variations of chord structures and alternative modes and styles to further advance and complement their goals and dreams as a musician. I hope to help lay the foundation as we build upon it with the correct tools.
Playing guitar for more than half of my life has been a joy. Some of the first songs I ever wrote were directed towards my wife. My children and grandchildren all have that element of artistry within them—what a blessing that is! In addition to music, I thoroughly enjoy verse-by-verse Bible study and teaching, have a preference for the mountains over the beach, enjoy ACC Basketball, a portion-control Oreo intake habit, and am thankful for showers and air-conditioning.
Psalm 144:1 says “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle…” I view this in light of ‘using one’s fingers’ for playing guitar because in VS 9 David writes “I will sing a new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,…”.
[ Jaca Kier was awarded Teacher of the Year at The Harmony House for both 2021-22 and 2022-23. He is punctual, prepared, professional, communicative, positive, respectful, and involves his students in recital and worship opportunities. - The Harmony House Leadership ]
