Music is nothing less than spiritual for Mathew Joy, the founder one of the first exclusive drum schools in the city.
“Disheartened by the selfishness of the trainers in the industry, I left the city a while after I started the school in ’98. When my students came searching for me, I realised that performers outnumbered educators and decided to return,” says Mathew, who then tied up with Motherjane’s drummer John Thomas to start JAM School.
One and a half decades later, JAM Music Education presents their ambitious new endeavour; an international standard music conservatory near Palarivattom Junction.
Sculpting talents
The conservatory intends to provide intensive music training including full-time courses with classes four days a week.
Bringing multiple musical arts under the same roof, the school teaches everything from violin to even choral singing. To raise the bar of musical education, the faculty features high-profile musicians like pianist Frijo Francis and Boston Conservatory-trained choral tutor Anjana Abraham.
Not forgetting native traditions, training will also be imparted in Indian percussion instruments like mridangam.
In an attempt to find talents from everywhere, JAM offers hostel facilities and provides scholarships for less fortunate students through their own charitable trust called EMJ Foundation.
“We’ve also tied up with US-based Engine Room Audio to provide an opportunity for our Sound Engineering pursuers to do internships in New York,” says the Licentiate of Trinity College holding drummer.
The 2,600 sq ft space also has a performance hall which will host alumni bands and student showcases every two weeks.
Boasting tie-ups with global brands like Sabian and Fender, the conservatory also plans to organise workshops and masterclasses from musicians who’ve signed endorsement deals with these firms.