Camille Schwendener

Which musician has influenced you the most?
Sting has had a strong influence on me as a musician throughout the years. As a diverse musician and master of the English language, his musical prowess and lyrical genius have always inspired me. I love how Sting uses such unique melodies while managing to connect them such incredibly powerful, touching lyrics and stories.

What can you teach me about your instruments different than any other teacher?
I feel that it is important for students to learn their own individual style. To learn a song from a favorite artist is one thing but to make it "your own" is different. I love encouraging students to find their own individual style to help them feel more connected to songs and their playing.

How did you learn to play your instrument?
I was a 15 years old. I heard the sound of a classical guitar and loved the sound. I asked my Dad if we could rent a guitar and he said that as long as I kept up the violin and practiced both instruments, we could get a guitar. The next day we picked up a guitar and I found a teacher and started lessons. I loved to practice and find songs on the radio I wanted to play. I continued to take lessons for five more years until I started to teach myself how to play various styles. I loved to listen to songs and try to figure them out on the guitar. I continue to teach myself and stretch myself to learn different songs.

On what equipment you play today?
Brunner Guitars. Excellent instrument. Lukas Brunner is a swiss guitar maker and makes incredible custom guitars. I love the sound of the guitar in both a live and studio setting.

What personal trait has helped you when you practice the most?
I am a very determined person. If I want to do something, I'll do it. I remember a friend sending me a fingerstyle/percussive guitar song from Andy Mckee (Drifting) and I remember staying up all night until I learned how to play the song.

What does your instrument have that others don't?
My 6-string Brunner guitar has a 12-string neck to allow for better sound and playing ability when fingerpicking. It is also a custom guitar made by Lukas Brunner and is truly one of a kind!

What you pay special attention to when you teach?
I believe that it is important for students to play songs they enjoy so they feel invested and interested in learning. While learning songs, I encourage students to find their own playing style so that they develop their own unique style of playing.

How do you build up your music lessons?
In a 45-minute session, I ask students how the previous weeks have been, how practicing went and if there are any songs they would like to learn. If there is a song they would like to learn, I like to reserve the last 10 minutes to listen to the song and to write out the song so they can take it home and practice it. Throughout the lesson, we work on technique such as scales and theory while playing through songs we worked on in previous weeks. I always try to make sure the students are enjoying their time learning and are enjoying the songs they are learning.

What do you do with children?
Being an aunt to over 20 kids and an expecting mother, I love kids and have a lot of experience teaching kids music and guitar. I taught guitar in a private school in the USA for several years for kids ages 6-12.

What was until now your greatest experience as a musician?
My brother plays cello in a group called The Piano Guys and while I lived in Nashville, they came and played a concert in my favorite concert hall, Ryman. My brother and I were able to share the stage playing a song I wrote. That was a special moment.

What was the largest stage that you've performed on?
The Ryman in Nashville, Tennessee.

Which musician would you like to play with?
I would love to play with Sting someday. He is an incredible musician with such a diverse background and I believe we'd have a lot of fun jamming! Sting isn't only an incredible musician, he is one who puts such emotion and feeling into all of his songs.

Which record would you bring to a desert island?
Sting, Greatest Hits. I love the diversity in Sting's music and I can never get sick of his songs! Sting's lyrics are so deep that I feel like there are always new things to learn each time I hear them!

On which stage do you prefer to perform?
I have played twice on the Ryman Stage in Nashville, Tennessee and it was one of my favorite moments of performing. It's a beautiful venue with such incredible history!

After music, what is important in your life?
My family. My husband and I are expecting our first child in May 2020!