Guitar

Jason Pickard holds a Masters Degree in music performance from East Carolina University.  His classical guitar performances have earned him top prizes in numerous competitions, including the Music Teachers National Association, National Federation of Music Clubs, and The Appalachian State University Guitar Festival.  He has performed extensively throughout the Southeast as a soloist as well as an ensemble musician, and competed in the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America solo competition in 1999.  He was twice awarded the East Carolina “Friends of the School of Music” Scholarship, and the St.Cecilia Guitar Scholarship for outstanding musical and academic performance.

As an educator, Mr. Pickard has served as a faculty member for East Carolina University (as a graduate assistant), Barton College, and Catawba College, as well as a private instructor in the greater Charlotte community.  He retains memberships in the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Golden Key National Honor Society, Phi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

In October 2000, Mr. Pickard brought his experience as a music performer and educator to the business world when he was hired as Director of Education for MARS Music, Inc. in Charlotte, NC.  Under the Management of Mr. Pickard, the Learning Center of the Charlotte Mars branch achieved “top 5 in the country” title several times in 2002 when ranked with other learning centers in view of student enrollment, gross profit margins, and community involvement.  Throughout his employment with MARS Music, Mr. Pickard volunteered as a board member with the Charlotte Blues Society (director of the “Blues in Schools” program), and routinely conducted musical programs at MARS Music for the Metrolina Association for the Blind, Charlotte/Mecklenburg public schools, and the Boy Scouts of America.