CENTER STAGE
Excellence at The Dallas School of Music is earned through discipline, consistency, and a genuine commitment to growth. Each month, our faculty recognizes one student whose dedication to the craft of music reflects the highest standards of our school. To be featured Center Stage at The Dallas School of Music is a distinct honor — a formal acknowledgment from our educators that this student has demonstrated focus, perseverance, and a meaningful pursuit of musical excellence.
Garrett Sewick
Center Stage Honoree
PIANO
McKinney, Texas
March 2026
“Recognized for discipline, growth, and musical excellence”
FOUNDATION
TIme at The Dallas School of Music
3 Years
Musical Beginning
“My growth began with structure and daily consistency.”
Ideally, I would begin with daily practice with a 10-20-minute warm-up on melody, harmony, or rhythm. To practice harmony, for example, I would practice playing two extensions of quartal voicings (chords where the notes are a 4th apart) and play them at a slow tempo across all 12 keys. If I needed to practice my ability to play melody, I'd play 4-note arpeggios of all major sounds in all 12 keys, or dominant sounds, minor sounds, etc. This slow but productive warm-up would internalize knowledge about melody, harmony, and rhythm like vocabulary, allowing me to apply it in the moment without thinking. Music IS a language.
After that warm-up, I would practice playing music for jazz bands, auditions, and other gigs for at least an hour. Mostly, this includes getting reps on solos, but also involves sightreading chords. In these sessions, I would stop on a section of a chord progression I was unfamiliar with and play different musical ideas over this section until it made sense. Importantly, I tried to fit my playing to the song's style to make the final performance as memorable as possible. To be honest, not every day was perfect: sometimes, I only got around to the warm-up; other times, I could only practice band music for 10 minutes. At least I showed up every day. What has helped me most is not overthinking how to practice. With Dr. Lawrence, I learned it's really practicing harmony, melody, and rhythm. This is the correct '20%' of effort that will lead to '80%' of the progress.
PRACTICE
A Weekly Practice Approach
“Simplicity and consistency transformed how I practice.”
The first time I truly became interested in jazz piano was when I listened to Barry Harris on "That Secret Place," maybe when I was 13. At the time, I was working with a former piano instructor who, after a couple more years, I realized could not teach me how to play jazz. I wanted to learn how to improvise and play chords that sounded amazing, though I did not yet understand them fully.
Around my junior year of high school, I met Dr. Lawrence for the first time. After an initial conversation, I was very excited to work with him! He gave me the idea of 'simplicity'; if concepts are not simply understood in the mind, they cannot be simply applied. Wow! Something that makes clear sense! After our first few lessons together, he simplified my idea of billions of chords in jazz to only 60. Overall, I wanted to learn at the Dallas School of Music because it provided a strong jazz education for me and simplified how I practice.
DEVELOPMENT
On Challenge
“Time became the greatest challenge—and the greatest teacher.”
TIME. Last month, I auditioned at four music colleges and performed in an All-State honours band in San Antonio. I was travelling weekly and had a short time to review audition material and charts without a reliable practice space. I was thankful for being proactive and recording 40 takes of 7 materials before my first audition in late January. It would be nice if I had better access to a piano across the country. Now that my auditions are complete---and with success---I can reevaluate my approach to practising throughout the summer and into college!
On Achievements
“Consistent work led to measurable results.”
Being ranked the 2nd best jazz pianist in TMEA for 2026. The first year I started with Dr. Lawrence, 2025, he helped me rank 11th (which was still a MASSIVE improvement from only being in a high school jazz band for one year). After working with him into my senior year, he gave me the tools to be recognized at a state level. Not only did I perform with other all-stars in San Antonio to people across the country, but I also earned great advice from professional players. I even gigged at the Dakota Ice House for 3 hours straight! I'm now working with a handful of those all-staters in a jazz record project I am leading. The TMEA convention has really set me up for better success in the music industry.
Growth Beyond Lessons
“Music study began shaping how I think beyond the instrument.”
I have applied the concept of simplicity to my high school classes when necessary. It served as a strong motivator to learn government, literature, and other topics, knowing I could connect all the dots to see a better picture. Though I do not study as much as I would like (I'm working on it), I am still passing my classes with A's. Honestly, I feel like you can apply this 'simple' approach to all aspects of life. It's helped me overthink less and just 'do.'
PERSPECTIVE
On Discipline and Consistency
“Consistency, not intensity, produces results.”
If you practice the right exercises consistently and persistently, you will get results. I have recognized that the time I spent recording 40 takes of 7 materials in a week for auditions significantly improved my technique, speed, articulation, and nuance. That is because I practiced two hours a day. On the other hand, the weeks when I barely practice, I get stressed about my lack of progress, knowing I'll have to put in extra legwork for concerts and projects with approaching deadlines. It's about maintaining a challenging yet healthy balance of practice and leisure time that has given me the best results.
Beyond the Instrument
“Understanding the process brought clarity and confidence.”
I feel like it first helped me get a clearer head. I am more relaxed, now that I understand how to approach jazz piano and, really, any other concept. I understand that it takes consistent work, requires simplifying the idea, and applying it every day to become more skilled. This process has given me peace of mind, knowing I can learn anything with more ease.
On Teaching and Learning
“Music is a language—and it must be learned that way.”
I remember presenting at a research showcase earlier this year on music, and two middle school students stopped by my booth. They told me they were both musicians and wanted some advice. I told them first to see music as a language. I explained how if you learn the vocabulary to speak it, then it becomes second nature, just like how I was talking to them. The next thing I did was demonstrate it. I set up a keyboard at my booth and showed them what the vocabulary can help me say, improvising over the tune Misty. Both of them looked really excited; their parents, behind them, were smiling. If I go into teaching, I feel like I would do something very similar to this.
MUSICAL IDENTITY
On Artistic Direction
“Versatility and expression define my musical path.”
Currently, it is jazz. This includes Oscar Peterson, Lyle Mays, Wynton Marsalis, Bill Evans, Emmet Cohen, Patrick Bartley, Keith Jarrett, and so on. I've always been fascinated with the melancholic atmospheres that Bill and Lyle can create; I find playing bebop like Oscar Peterson fun. Lastly, I have observed how Emmet Cohen can communicate so well with other musicians in the moment, only needing a simple nod to communicate unique patterns with the drummer or bassist. It's a fun genre to play.
Still, I grew up listening to the Beatles, Billy Joel, Boston, Steely Dan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and so on. I love pop, rock, and blues, and still want to pursue those genres too. I don't see why a musician should limit themselves to one genre. I have always had a dream of cultivating a band so skilled that we can perform a rock song, before switching into up-tempo bebop. People don't know what they want to listen to until they're exposed to it. They don't listen to one genre, so there is no reason for bands to stick to one genre.
On Goals and Aspirations
“I’m building toward a professional life in music.”
By May this year, I intend to produce and release an all-state jazz record with seven songs (two being solo piano and the rest showcasing a sextet I have rehearsed with in the past month). We're on a tight schedule; however, this group of musicians is at such a high caliber that I am not worried. I am hoping to use this project as a stepping stone for future success. Going into college, I'm hoping to do similar projects and get plenty of gigging experience.
On the DSM Experience
“The environment here makes growth inevitable.”
I appreciate Dr. Lawrence's conversations in the coffee room before we walk into our lesson each week. Even though we are extremely productive in each lesson, having a chance to talk to him helps me get to know him more outside of lessons. Dr. Lawrence has a great personality and always leaves each lesson with a boosted spirit--- it's contagious.
FAMILY PERSPECTIVE
On Growth and Development
“His growth has been focused, efficient, and meaningful.”
He has learned how to focus his practice time to maximize his skill development in less time. He also understands concepts, melody and has improved his improvisational skills. He also has more confidence.
On Independence and Confidence
“He now works with independence and clarity.”
He practices completely independently, and is able to focus and be prepared in much less time. I feel like the school has helped him make it to state level, and have confidence for college auditions.
On Structure and Support
“The environment is encouraging, structured, and genuinely supportive.”
I love the encouragement, support and genuine caring regarding my son's learning and development. He has advanced significantly as a musician over the past year, and understands the concepts behind what he is doing.
Advice to Other Families
“Find a teacher who develops both skill and joy.”
I highly recommend The Dallas School of Music. Whatever you do, ensure that you find a teacher who emphasizes the importance of your child finding their joy while developing their musicianship skills.