The self-taught musician became a teacher because other people noticed his skills were fluid and he was also personable working with others. Since starting his teaching career, Tanner says he has “enjoyed every minute of it”. 

Teaching someone something is a great way to make sure you know what you’re doing. That is one of many reasons why Tanner Wright enjoys teaching. The drums and guitar teacher at the West Des Moines school didn’t think teaching would be part of his music career until some of his friends pointed out his skills.

“I didn't think I had it in me, but you know it wasn't until I started doing it and I kind of realized I did have the ability to teach,” Wright said.

His path to music started with a lot of interest and self-teaching with drums and guitar. In college, he started taking lessons and realized it was another great way to learn. Having someone point out areas of improvement, he says, made him a better player.

As he works with students now, he believes those lessons are also lessons for himself.

“You’re kind of like double checking yourself in a way while you're kind of teaching to somebody else,” he said.

His goal is to keep improving as a player, because his idea is as his skills improve musically, the better he will be as a teacher.

More about Tanner:

Favorite song to perform: Panama by Van Halen

Fun fact: Tanner can do a five-second handstand.