Professor Randy Gibson
President/CEO

Professor Randy J. Gibson (President/CEO) studied music at Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, Temple University and Combs College of Music. He holds a master degree in music. He is a prolific concert pianist, composer and recording artist who has performed throughout the world. Professor Gibson has over 30 years of teaching experience including universities, colleges and private schools. Having lived in diverse cultures his genre is extensive. He is adept in playing classical, gospel, jazz and contemporary styles of music. Professor Gibson is a Christian and knows "every good and perfect gift comes from God."

He is skilled in teaching young children as well as adults from beginners to professionals. Professor Gibson has trained ministers of music, band leaders, vocalists, choirs, orchestras and various others. His students have traveled the globe receiving world-wide recognition such as Grammy
Award winners.

Professor Gibson - Lesson Plan

"In order to fulfill Jesus' great Commission in Acts 1:8, a musician must be ecumenical in his genre of music. Ministering to the heart of people and not his/her own ethnicity. Many people have expressed an interest in learning how to play by ear. One should always strengthen areas of weakness in their arsenals. If a musician is really studying his/her craft diligently, they become each day a different musician ready for the Holy Spirit to move in any direction.

The musician has the awesome responsibility of setting the atmosphere for digestible ministry. Musicians who seek to have a better trained ear, conceptualize your foundation. For instance, there are 3 categories of chord progression: major, minor and dominant harmonies. Whatever music you hear it must fall within one of these categories. Sometimes when picking up by ear (recording artist have experienced this), you can play certain tones which create other tones. These are called the over tone series. When sight reading music, and I use that term loosely, probably a better term would be sight recognition, a musician learns to recognize intervals. The staff lines and spaces sooner or later become innate. For this instance the eye recognizes scales, thirds, fifths, octaves, etc. In order to be good in recognizing these patterns, a musician must know their instruments without looking at their hands while playing.

Technique is Paramount in learning any instrument. Arduous hours of practice are required to master elements of such a meticulous art form.

Baker, I. Algernon C. (Organ, Piano) formal piano lessons began at the age of 5 in Montgomery, AL. He was fascinated by his church musicians, especially the organist. His formal organ lessons began at the age of 12. He has held several jobs as the lead musician. He has toured extensively throughout Western Europe and the U.S. He has accompanied several gospel artists throughout his career. He tries to instill in his students the discipline needed to passionately pursue excellence in not only music, but life itself.

Galloway, Lynne A. (Vocal) is a native Philadelphian. Her first introduction to music began in junior high school. Her first instrument was the trumpet. After hearing her play her mother insisted she return it. She did. From there she was introduced to the flute. She played that instrument and was awarded a partial scholarship to college. She has a BA in Music Performance. She has taught in the Philadelphia school district and is currently teaching in Chester County.

Lewis, Matthew (Saxophone) Biography not available at the time of this website.

Holman III, Eddie (Drums) is the one of the most recent additions to Gibson's. He is a composer and an instructor. He began his musical career in 1979. He has played in various bands. He went to the school of the Creative and Performing Arts.

Johnson, Sheila (Piano) began playing the piano at the age of 9. At 12, she was encouraged to play for Sunday school. She has invested 30 years in the Philadelphia School District as a music instructor. She is a member of The National Association of Music Educators, and the American Orff Schulwerk Association. She is a former pianist organist and choir directorate of the St. Mathis Epistle Church here in the city. She makes her lessons engaging through practice and different styles of music.

Lessene, Carrie (Piano, Vocal) is a native of Philadelphia. She was educated in the Philadelphia school system. She is classically trained with diverse experience in Gospel recording, R&B, theater and voice. She plays and instructs on various instruments, such as: piano, flute, and cello. She has a BA degree in Music Therapy. She strives to teach her students to have a total understanding of the electric properties of musical excellence during her two years as an instructor at Gibsons'.

Meehan, Barry (Bass) is an original native of Cincinnati, Ohio. His earliest experience with music training was given by his mother who was an award winning percussionist and classical singer. His father was a classically trained violinist. His father inspired him to play the violin and somehow he became committed to the bass guitar. As an addition to this school, he gives his students enthusiasm in the basic language of music and the inspiration will come after knowing those basics.

Neal, Bryant (Guitar) is a native of Philadelphia and he fell in love with the Beatles and he though Chuck Berry had the most beautiful guitars. When he received a guitar of his own he liked the vibrations it made. He was educated at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. As a self-taught student, Bryant was able to complete and pass the audition at the school.

Payne, Donna (Piano, Violin) Biography unavailable at the time of this website.

Rush, Matthew (Guitar) is a native of Pottstown, PA. He began his musical career at the age of 13. He began playing the guitar. His favorite type of music is funk and rock and roll. He has been an instructor at Gibsons' for two years. He enjoys teaching the guitar and hopes that he provides his students with a rich musical life.

Sean Tate - Art Teacher Maya Avent - Dance Instructor Sheila Johnson - Piano Instructor Donna Payne - Piano/Violin Instructor Clifton Kelham - Bass Instructor Robert Randolph - Trumpet, Saxophone & Piano Instructor

Bill Douglas - Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet Instructor Kenyatta Arrington - Piano Instructor Catherine Ward - Piano Instructor Dwayne Dunham - Gospel Organ Margot Vargas- Voice / Piano Chris DeGonia- Saxophone

GIBSON SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ARTS INC.
5429 N. 5th Street (One block south of 5th and Olney) Phila., PA 19120
Phone: (215) 924-7345