Senior Jack Davisson has a passion for music, particularly playing the guitar, and he has turned that passion into a successful social media presence as well as a recent album titled “La Vida Breve” released in February under the name the Davisson Duo.  

Davisson’s love for the guitar began in preschool when he had a teacher who played the instrument during circle time. “He would strum the guitar, and all the preschoolers would sit in a circle and sing,” Davisson said. “Because I looked up to him, I thought the guitar was pretty cool.” Since then, Davisson has worked under a private guitar teacher, whom he credits as an inspiration, for the past 13 years. 

For Davisson, the guitar allows for endless creativity and experimentation in sound. Unlike the piano, which produces a static tone when a key is pressed, the guitar offers a wide range of tonal possibilities. “There’s so much that you can vary to create different noises,” he said. “The contact point between your finger and the string can be altered infinitely, so you can constantly create new and interesting sounds. I think it makes it a super interesting instrument that you never get tired of.”

However, Davisson’s musical pursuits are not limited to classical guitar. He also arranges pop music for the guitar as well. “You can play a whole lot more than just classical music,” Davisson said. “You can really do just about everything, from country to metal.”

Davisson’s passion for music extends beyond his personal pursuits, as he also volunteers at the Menlo Park Veterans Affairs hospital. Every Friday, he teaches veterans how to play Metallica on the guitar, an experience he finds rewarding and believes can help connect people and heal emotional wounds. “Caring for our veterans is a privilege,” he said. “ I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in their lives through music.” 

Davisson and his sister made use of their additional free time during the COVID-19 pandemic by working on their first album, “La Vida Breve” (Life is short). While the pandemic posed some challenges to the album’s production, Davisson noted that the biggest challenge was ironically the time it took to complete. “It just took a long time,” he said. “It took longer than it should have, just because of the delays COVID-19 caused.” Despite the challenges, Davisson and his sister were able to release the album, featuring a range of classical guitar pieces, with works by Sérgio Assad, Joaquín Rodrigo, and Astor Piazzolla.

Davisson believes that pursuing music or another creative passion is always beneficial later in life, even if one does not become a professional at it. “Because even if you don’t become a professional at whatever it is you’re doing, you’ll always have that something on the side,” Davisson said. “It’ll give you creative insight into whatever you choose to pursue later in life.”

Looking ahead, Davisson plans on continuing to play the guitar and taking lessons in college. He is also considering pursuing a master’s degree in music theory. According to Davisson, even if he chooses not to study music at university, music will always be a part of who he is.  “Music has the power to connect people and evoke emotions in a way that words alone cannot,” he said. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to share my passion for music with others and to continue learning and growing as a musician.”