David Lord, Bachelor of Music in Music Performance

David Lord’s most recent work, an instrumental album under the name Forest Standards Vol. 2, is a collection of rhythmically-sporadic, folk and jazz infused reflections on nature. The unconventional, rule-bending arrangements were first founded on the practical theory and performance instruction given while attending Friends University as a music performance major. He had to first learn the rules in order to creatively break them.

His Friends experience afforded him many performance opportunities that would prove vital to his career. Being able to explore the Wichita music scene inspired him to train up the next generation of performers, musicians, and composers. In 2008, he founded Air House Music Academy which offers private lessons for a vast array of instruments and vocal stylings to students of all ages and skill levels. The academy houses a professional recording studio designed by Micajah Ryan (who has engineered for artists like Guns N’ Roses and Bob Dylan) and now employs 25 instructors. David’s critical pre-requisite of each instructor is kindness. He hopes Air House will be noted as an encouraging and enthusiastic environment that makes learning music enjoyable.

But this well-versed musician knew it wasn’t enough to simply teach students to master their theory and technique, he wanted to give them performance experiences like he had been afforded through his university professors. So in 2019 David Lord co-founded House of Rock ICT. In partnership with Air House Music Academy, this program offers students ages 8-18 opportunities to perform at local music venues with their peers. This unique blend of experiences really inspires creativity in these young musicians and helps them develop their unique voice of musical expression.

All of these professional endeavors support David’s love for music composition. They allow him to step aside every once and a while to be immersed in the soundscape of nature where he is re-inspired to create again.

Find out more about Air House Music Academy at www.airhousemusic.com and dive into David’s personal work through www.foreststandards.com.