Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Rogers.
Hi Adrian, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I started music in middle school on the piano for 2 years. After starting my 9th-grade year of high school, I played the violin in the orchestra, and by my sophomore year, I joined the band on the clarinet. All through high school, I was heavily involved in my music classes. In my junior year of high school, I auditioned and was accepted into the Tulsa Youth Symphony. After high school, I attended four years of college at Northeastern State University, took a 5-year break, during the break I founded a local community string orchestra called The Tulsa Unity String Orchestra in 2007. and transferred to complete my degree at University of Central Oklahoma. I moved to Dallas TX in 2015 to begin my career as a music educator, I founded a similar community string orchestra known as The Dallas Unity String Orchestra. Now I’m working on my career to becoming a successful orchestra director in Texas.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While attending Northeastern State University after my 4th year I learned I was losing my financial aid with the school without warning and so I worked full time and started The Tulsa Unity String Orchestra during that time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m currently working a regular 9-5 job(s) in the compliance department of a call center and part-time cashier at a hardware store. Twice a month on Monday evenings I meet with my orchestra for rehearsals. I am very proud of my orchestra. When we perform it makes me feel like I actually have accomplished something with the group. I have a great set of musicians that are dedicated and couldn’t be an ensemble without them.
What does success mean to you?
When the person receives positive feedback from everyone, when there’s evidence of good has taken place etc.
