Ivi Hysaj, Guitar, Bass & Drums

Ivi has studied music since he was ten years old and began taking private lessons on classical guitar in his home country of Albania. When he came to the States, he wanted to attend at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts’ music program but was turned away because he needed more work on sight reading.  As a result, he signed up for lessons at the Jacksonville School of Music (formerly the Florida Conservatory of Music).  He took lessons and re-applied to Douglas Anderson where he was accepted and, ultimately, graduated high school.  He continued studying music through college while majoring in business and logistics at the University of North Florida.

While studying at the Florida Conservatory of music, he was given the opportunity to substitute for his own teacher while he was out on vacation.  Ivi quickly realized that teaching was something that he wanted to do.  He immediately applied for a job and pursued his teaching career at what was to become the Jacksonville School of Music.   He is very proud to be a part of the same company where he first started taking lessons in the States.

“I love teaching music because not only do I enjoy seeing people grow musically, but I continue to learn so much from my students and the different behaviors on a day to day basis. I also enjoy teaching because I am able to help students overcome performance anxiety, develop team work and time management and because there is nothing else that I love doing.”

His newest project at the school involves grouping his advanced students into bands and exposing them to group lessons in addition to their individual lessons.

In addition to working in business and logistics and teaching at the school, he regularly plays gigs and performs throughout Jacksonville.