Jackson Carruthers is grateful for the opportunity to dedicate his life to playing the piano and sharing his passion with others. As a teacher, he aspires to instill a similar sense of joy in his students. This guiding philosophy shapes his entire approach to pedagogy. When working with beginners, Jackson employs a classical foundation, focusing on note reading, technique, and theory. He is also adept at teaching a range of genres, including gospel, jazz, blues, rock, and pop.
Jackson emphasizes a logical and structured approach to music, particularly with the piano. He believes that without a solid foundation, even the most beautiful building is at risk of collapse. As a teacher, he sets clear expectations for his students and challenges them to reach their potential while understanding that each student develops at their own pace.
Jackson believes that learning the piano involves more than completing method books or learning repertoire. He emphasizes the importance of theory, ear training, and understanding the history and context of individual pieces. He encourages students to be creative with their music, experiment, and improvise, even if it sounds chaotic. He attributes his own improvisational skills to the freedom he had to explore the piano during his free time.
He has taught at several community music schools in Ohio and Massachusetts and has collegiate teaching experience at The University of Akron, Boston University, and Bowling Green State University. He also served as a faculty member at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute in 2024 and taught at Bowling Green State University’s Summer Music Institute in 2019.
Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, summa cum laude, from the University of Akron. He earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University, a Performance Diploma from Boston University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at Boston University.
When he’s not practicing, Jackson enjoys fixing and using old cameras, collecting and listening to LP records, and playing golf.