EP081 "The Journey of a Music Educator: The John Smayda Interview"

The Tim Kulig Free Music Podcast · Feb 12, 2026 · 59m

Recently, I sat down with John Smayda—my former music teacher and mentor from Plainville High School—and we got into his journey through music education, what shaped his teaching philosophy, and the key moments from his career in and around the music industry. We talked a lot about mentorship and why it matters, plus how music education can leave a lasting impact on students’ lives. We also touched on how the music world is changing fast, especially with AI entering the picture. More than anything, the conversation was a reminder of the joy of creating and performing music—and how passing…