Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight - Judy

Alex Stanton • March 6, 2023

This month’s student spotlight is….drum roll please…..our AMAZING drum student Judy Douglas!

It was very cool to learn about her journey with music and what eventually brought her to Sunburst. We encourage you to read and learn more about her journey below. Thank you Judy! 🥁

How did you first get involved with music? What is your favorite genre to play?

I took some piano lessons when I was in elementary school in Canada, and can play a little guitar too. I called Sunburst when I moved to Pittsburgh because I really wanted to learn how to play drums. What drummer doesn’t like funk/Motown? But I also like alternative pop and 80’s British pop is my ultimate jam. Janet Weiss from Sleater Kinney has some great original beats.

What instruments do you play?

I’m the keeper of the beat (play drums). I can play a wee bit of guitar and piano too. What I lack in drum fill chops, I make up with stage enthusiasm! ;-) I like to call myself the “rhythm drum section” and hang out in the pocket (hehe).

How long have you been with Sunburst and who is your teacher?

I started taking drum lessons at Sunburst in 2018, and then started in the adult band program roughly a year later in 2019 (adult cover band is Sunburnt).

Kevin Lynch is my drum teacher, and Tanner is our current band instructor. Chloe was our original band instructor for the first two years, and had a big impact on us as we were first learning to play in a band.

What songs are you working on right now?

I’m having fun transcribing “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough”, and with help from Kevin, learning some weird time signature songs of Madison Cunningham. (Anywhere, All I’ve ever known). I saw her 2x recently on tour, in Pittsburgh and in Knoxville, TN. She and her traveling drummer, Kyle Crane, are amazing.

How has your Sunburst instructor impacted you?

My drum teacher Kevin is super upbeat and positive. He allows me freedom to bring songs I hear on the radio I’d like to play, while teaching me basic theory, and rudiments. Over the pandemic, he taught me how to edit audio and videos, which was helpful for recitals and kept me connected to my band. Distilling songs to something his students can play is his super power. He’s a fantastic illustrator and has an excellent ear. Tanner is a fantastic drummer and an enthusiastic supporter of Sunburnt.

What is your favorite part of being a Sunburst student?

I like the positive environment of recitals, and supportive staff. Sunburst has done an excellent job helping our band “Sunburnt '' to start playing gigs in the Pittsburgh area. It’s fun to see other students and bands play at recitals too, to see their improvement and confidence grow.

How do you feel about performing?

I love performing! It’s fun to rise to the occasion and bring some energy and heat to a performance!

Do you have any tips for new students?

“Dare to suck!” i.e. Drop the perfectionism and procrastination and join the band program! It’s an excellent way to play with others! Having a recital or gig goes a long way to keep me motivated to practice!

Anything else you’d like to say to the Sunburst people?

I can’t think of a better community to learn and play a new instrument. I’d still like to challenge myself to try and write an original song.

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5 Reasons to Start Playing in a Band

July 30, 2025

As summer break comes to a close, we’re gearing up for the next term of the Sunburst Band Program and would love to see some new faces this fall. Playing in a band is one of the best ways to progress as a musician, so we put together a list of five reasons why we encourage our students to seek out opportunities to play in groups—whether it's starting a band or jamming with a couple of friends. Progress Your rhythm, timing, and listening skills improve quickly when you start playing in a band or group setting. While private lessons and solo practice are essential pieces of the puzzle, playing with others introduces new variables—like tempo changes, dynamics, and coordination—that challenge you to stay in sync with your bandmates and adapt to each other. We’ve seen so many students level up after just a couple months in the Sunburst Band Program–the progress happens fast! Friends and Connections We love watching our students and their families become friends and our band program has been a natural starting point for many of those relationships. Some of our current bands have stayed together for years, and it's awesome to see them hang out outside of lessons and support each other at shows. Plus, one of the best ways to get gigs is through connections with other musicians! Motivation Playing in a band is super motivating because you're part of a group working toward an exciting shared goal. Whether you're learning a new song, building a set list, or getting ready for a show, the process becomes more exciting and rewarding when you're making music you love with people you enjoy being around. That shared energy turns practice into something much more fun and meaningful. Performing Performing can be nerve-wracking, but it gets easier the more you do it, and being on stage with your friends makes it less scary. We love seeing how our students' stage presence and confidence grow with each performance—it’s one of our favorite parts of being teachers! As we mentioned, shows are a great place to make connections with musicians who you’d like to collaborate with in the future. Simply put, playing more shows leads to playing more shows. Creative Outlet Music is a powerful tool for expression, and it’s important to have outlets for that at any age! Life is very fast paced for many of us, and it can be tough to pause and do the things you enjoy. Band practice can be a consistent anchor in your week—something you can rely on for connection, processing, and creating with your bandmates. As corny as it sounds, playing music is good for your spirit! If you’d like to know more about the Sunburst Band Program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We also recommend talking with your private lessons instructor so that they’re aware and can help you prepare.