By KATIE KEATHLEY
Special to The Messenger
Jeremy Keathley of Union City recently visited Lake Road Elementary’s kindergarten classes to join them for a little “jam session.”
Keathley is a 2009 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
In the summer of 2009, he was accepted to Berklee University, one of the most prestigious music schools in the U.S., in Boston. For three semesters, he attended Berklee and advanced his knowledge of music through its rich history.
Keathley also continually improved his guitar and piano playing skills during his tenure at Berklee.
Keathley is the son of Barry and Janet Keathley of Union City. His mother has been a kindergarten teacher at Lake Road Elementary for 18 years.
Throughout the first few weeks of school, the kindergarten classes at Lake Road had been studying the different letters of the alphabet. On this particular week, the students were learning about the letter “M” and Mrs. Keathley thought of no better way to apply this letter than through music.
Keathley first explained to the students the different parts of the guitar and how to strum the strings to make music. During the “jam session,” he played songs that not only entertained but also allowed the students to apply the various lessons they were learning in the classroom as well.
The songs included “The Wheels on the Bus,” “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and “The ABCs.” While Keathley led the students with his guitar, each of the children joined in playing his or her unique instrument and sang along to each song. The students not only got a musically entertaining experience but also expanded their acquisition of knowledge about the guitar and music.
“I never knew playing ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’ could mean so much to people,” Keathley said. “I guess when it comes down to it, music is music. It’s always a joy to play for people who appreciate music, no matter what their age.”
Editor’s note: Miss Keathley, the daughter of Barry and Janet Keathley of Union City, is a senior at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she is majoring in public relations with a minor in marketing.