Kent Smedley

I began playing the guitar at the age of 4 under the supervision of my Father, an
accomplished trumpet player. At the age of 10 I began formal music lessons,
studying the Guitar, Piano and Voice. At the age of 14 I began studying the Piano
with Ileana Fernandez, Principal Keyboardist with the Jacksonville Symphony
Orchestra. At the age of 15 I began teaching Guitar, Piano and Music Theory with
the encouragement and supervision of my music instructors. At the age of 17 I
began studying Classical Guitar with James Chandler at Jacksonville University,
and Jazz Guitar with Gary Starling at Jacksonville University. At this time I was also
performing 4 to 5 nights a week in clubs around the Jacksonville area with the rock
band Enchanter. After less than 1 year Enchanter disbanded, and I prepared to
enter the University of North Floridas' Jazz Program. At UNF I studied Jazz Guitar
with the legendary Jack Petersen, founder of the guitar programs at Berklee and  
North Texas State. During this time I studied music theory and composition with Dr.
William Prince and played in the UNF Jazz Band under the direction of Bruce
Silva. At the same time I was still actively studying the Classical Guitar with James
Chandler and attending Master Classes with Stephen Robinson of Stetson
University. In 1988 I founded the hard rock band Prodigy. From its inception
Prodigy was primarily an original band intent on becoming an established
international act. After 1 year of performing and writing Prodigy recorded its first
full album in the Fall of 1989. This was followed by over 1 year of intense touring in
support of the album, opening shows for Megadeth, Pantera, Yngwie Malmsteen,
and many other established international recording artists. In 1990 Prodigy
received the award of Best Heavy Metal Band if Florida from the most prominent
Florida music magazine, JAM Magazine. This helped Prodigy secure an
international recording contract in 1992, and our album was released in Europe
and Japan under the name Oracle, due to trademark issues with another band of
the same name. This release was followed by yet more touring and promotion.
Sadly, with a new album in the works and prospects for a European headlining tour
on the horizon, the band split up due to internal tensions. After this intense
experience I continued to teach Guitar and write music. In the mid-90s I recorded
with recording artist Kitae, did session work and recorded my own material. I the
late-90s I joined the Jazz/Fusion group Acoustic Collective and wrote and recorded
an album with them. After this group disbanded I sang in 80s cover band Spicolis'
Dream. During this time I also performed numerous Classical guitar concerts and
continued teaching and writing music. In my teaching career I have taught over
1000 students. Some of them have gone on to become instructors themselves,
either privately or in the school system. Many of my former students have
continued their studies in college, earning degrees and pursuing academic posts.
Some have gone on to become professional musicians, two examples being James
MacDonough (former Megadeth Bassist) and Terry Balsamo (guitarist for the
bands Cold and Evanescence). I served as piano accompanist for the Jacksonville
Symphony Youth Orchestra's Foundation and Junior strings divisions in the
2005-06 season. On August 11,2006 I studied with the legendary classical
guitarist Christopher Parkening at his master class in Coral Gables,FL. Currently I
have finished an album of acoustic guitar songs,"Whispered Dreams", and am
preparing to tour the Southeast US in support of it. With over 20
years of professional teaching and performing experience, I am sure I can help
you achieve your musical goals. If anyone is interested in taking guitar lessons I
am teaching primarily in the Lakewood area at my own shop, The Lakewood School of Music.                                   
                                   E-mail me at admin@lakewoodschoolofmusic.com             
                                Musically Yours, Kent A. Smedley