The Side Hustle

Take Me Where the Music Leads

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Kevin McCullough about his passion for music and the role it plays outside of his job in the Oak Grove School District as a Visual Performing Arts teacher. What began as a conversation about his professional career, turned into a great story about his experience in our district throughout his life. 

Kevin began playing piano at age 5. His mom made him do it, Kevin explained, and wouldn’t let him quit. Being a student at Taylor Elementary and Sakamoto, he did as his mother said, but when he reached 7th grade, he wanted to play the drums and could only do so if he kept at piano, too. During his first concert at Herman Intermediate School, Kevin listened to the 8th grade Jazz band and was in awe of their amazing sound. The following year, Kevin joined the Jazz band. He visited his aunt and uncle during the summer and discovered, to his surprise, that they, too, were a jazz pianist and drummer. Kevin went on to college with music in his blood, majoring in Jazz Piano and Music Education as well as receiving his single subject teaching credential.

In 2005, Kevin began his career as a professional musician, playing a variety of music such as Straight Jazz Standards, Afro Cuban Jazz, Salsa, Oldies, and Rock & Roll to name a few. He also spent some time playing on cruise ships. More recently, Kevin has been doing some part time work as a Northern California product specialist for Casio where he travels to music stores to give workshops on the different keyboards and pianos they make. It is also worth noting that he is the Contemporary Worship Director for the Los Gatos United Methodist Church.

I asked how, with such a cool career and adventurous lifestyle, Kevin came to be a VPA teacher in our district. He shared that, to be honest, he never thought he would want to work with such young children when he got his credential, but fate had other plans for him. As it turns out, he was asked by a friend to fill in on a career day as a favor for a class of young kids. On the day of his visit, he shared what it was like to be a musician and played some music. The kids were very excited, and so was he. Sharing his knowledge and love of music with them provided opportunities that they may have never had the chance to know about. Three weeks later, an opportunity opened up in our district, and he has been with us ever since.

I am certainly glad that Kevin’s mom never let him quit, that our district provides music and arts for our students, and that we have a “life-long” Oak Grover, as I affectionately call us, working in our district. In fact, I’m jazzed.  

Go to www.mckev.com to learn more about Kevin McCullough and his work as an educator and performer.