Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

Jared is an accomplished pianist and violinist that has performed at events and venues across the upstate, including The Reserve, The Cliffs, Pretty Place, Clemson Little Theater, and more. His former ensemble, the Spirare String Quartet, used to tour Northern Indiana, and was invited to play at honorary banquets for actor Kirk Cameron and former CEO of Chick-fil-A, S. Truett Cathy.

Jared is a Kindermusik-certified, Suzuki violin-trained instructor that specializes in early childhood music-and-movement education programming. He has over 25 years of experience in violin and piano performance and 15 years of violin and piano teaching. His musical theater directing experience includes How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and numerous church, school, and community productions.

Jared is the founder of Trudel Music Studio, a music school with the mission to spark a lifelong love of music and learning in students of all ages. His studio was recognized as a Top Kindermusik Studio in 2023 and 2024, #40 out of thousands around the world.

In addition to running the studio and teaching Kindermusik, violin, and piano, Jared is also the music teacher at Montessori School of Anderson. He consistently offers Kindermusik classes through partner organizations such as Clemson Child Development Center, City of Clemson Parks & Recreation, Anderson Pregnancy Center, Pickens County First Steps, Parenting & Family Literacy, and Pickens County School District.

Artist Statement

I had always wanted to be a performer. Music and theater were an integral part of my upbringing. I attended the Juilliard Starling-DeLay Symposium in 2002 and was awestruck by such greats as Itzhak Perlman and Anne Akiko-Myers. I wanted to strike that kind of awe and inspiration in my audiences. In college and beyond, I performed violin and piano at various events: weddings, banquets, birthday parties. But the greatest fulfillment came when I was able to teach others the joy of playing music.

As a father, I consider my own children to be my inspiration in my music education career. My vision is for families everywhere to gain access to the highest quality music education resources in their homes and communities. The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” This “language” I believe is the gateway to literacy, and “reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible.” (Barack Obama)

After having kids, I stepped back from the stage and into the classroom. I got Kindermusik certified and Suzuki trained. I opened up Trudel Music Studio and began teaching music in local schools. Now, I get to empower others to perform and strike awe in their audiences!

Kindermusik programming is catered to children at each developmental stage, starting with simple songs and movements and growing to include things such as rhythm patterns, instrument exploration, and ensemble playing – all with the goal to develop the whole child. In schools, Kindermusik programs look like a musical story unfolding in the classroom, with students at the center of the narrative. Manipulatives such as percussions instruments, scarves, hoops, etc. help guide the story and involve students’ whole brains and bodies. Sometimes a residency may culminate in a school or family performance!

When I enter a classroom – whether my own music class at MSA, or a partner school for a residency – I go with the intention to expand and transform each student’s perception of the power of music. When we move egg shakers to a steady beat, we are creating new neurological pathways. When we perform a circle dance, we are building community and social awareness. When I play my violin, I inspire a future generation of musicians. When I ask students for ideas of how to move, sing, or speak, I believe I am unlocking a bit of creative genius that can set a child on a trajectory for success. With music programming that engages the whole brain and body, I believe we can empower these students to change the world.