LOUIS LANDRY is a lifelong musical performer and instructor. He is at various times a composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, singer, stage manager, MC, doorman, cameraman, roadie, and/or unpaid intern. He’s toured internationally and made music with some people whose names you may know, like Katharine Whalen, Ironing Board Sam, Curtis Eller’s American Circus, The Berlin Brothers, Durham Jazz Orchestra, The Roanoke (Virginia) Symphony, Grammy winners Jimmy Dean and Ryan Bingham, his own groups The LL Orchestra and Rollin’ Dynamite, and (on one remarkable occasion) The Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Since 2007, "Mr. Louie" has taught music in a wide range of schools including Duke University, East Chapel Hill High, Wake Forest Montessori, Seedlings Preschool, Durham Community Preschool, and a stint at Red Leaf School of Music in Austin, Texas. He has taught Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo, Mandolin and Voice at High Strung School of Music for the last decade.
Mr. Louie started taking drum lessons at age 6. By age 12 he was writing original songs on his Granny’s old piano and dabbling with tape recorders and synths. In high school he excelled in Band classes and became an all-state percussionist, drum major of marching band, and founding member of many short lived garage bands. His academic career eventually led to a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University, with a major in Drum Set and minor in Jazz Piano. Since then, Louis Landry has performed music across the Southern, Midwest and Northeast US, and Europe, eventually settling in Durham with his partner Shea.
Mr. Louie continuously works to examine his own biases and re-evaluate his methods and materials, in order to provide a safer space for students of all ages, skill levels, races, ethnicities, religions, genders, and identities, to learn the power and joy of music. His students can expect a well-informed, yet informal, friendly and personal, guide through their musical journeys.
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2013-present: High Strung School of Music in Durham, NC. I teach private lessons for all ages on ukulele, guitar, mandolin, banjo and piano.
September 2012-17: Durham Community Preschool. I led a weekly music circle for local preschoolers.
September 2018-present: Seedlings Preschool. A weekly preschool music circle near Hillsborough.
2016-18: Musical Director for 3 Duke University Theater Department productions. Worked with undergrads on productions of "Bob: A Life in Five Acts," "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well," and a course on Cabaret.
2014-15: musical director for East Chapel Hill High School's original production "A Fire Just Waiting."
January 2012-May 2013: Music Academy South, Wake Forest, NC. I taught Group piano classes to kids as young as 4. I also offered private Piano and Percussion lessons.
September 2011-May 2012: Wake Forest Montessori School, Wake Forest, NC. I taught Music as well as lessons in Language, Math, Culture, Sensory Development, and Practical Life.
Photos courtesy Red Leaf School of Music
2007-2011: Instructor at Red Leaf School of Music, Austin, TX. I taught private lessons in drums, guitar, bass, ukulele, voice, music theory, and songwriting. I worked with students of all ages and skill levels. I also led a rock n' roll group summer camp for three years starting in 2008, as well as several 12-week courses which culminated in student performances. You can see clips of some of those performances at the bottom of this page.
2010-2011: IVC Classroom Facilitator & Installation Crew Member at Austin Community College. I began at ACC installing computers, projectors, and other A/V Equipment at a new campus in Round Rock, Tx. I later took a position facilitating IVC (Interactive Video Conferencing) classes where the teacher communicates to the class via live video link. (Some of these skills came in handy during the pandemic!) I also ran lighting and A/V equipment for graduations and other functions. I did technical maintenence on a total of 9 ACC campuses.
June 2011-present: Freelance Sound Engineer & A/V technician in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill. Recent clients included Hopscotch Music Festival.
2008-2009: Assistant Guide at Live Oaks Montesorri School, Lakeway TX. I primarily worked with a group of 8-12 year olds. Using standard Montessori methods, I assisted another teacher in observing students & teaching lessons in English, Math, History, Science, and Conflict Resolution. I also taught group & private lessons in Music and Arts. Later my duties expanded to include a larger group of 4-7 year olds.
2007-2008: Music Teacher at Kids Campus Learning Center, Austin TX. I led 5 pre-K classrooms in weekly singalong lessons. Later expanded to incorporate small percussion instruments, stories & dances.
2007-2008: Substitute Teacher at Substitute Switchboard. During my first year of teaching I substituted at several Austin schools including Austin Discovery School, Kirby Hall Elementary, Paragon Preperatory Academy, and Odyssey School for the Dyslexic. Subjects included music, arts and general studies.
A few greatest hits from Mr. Louie's music circles
MESSAGE TO PARENTS OF GROUP MUSIC STUDENTS AGE 2-5
Hi, I'm Louis Landry, or Mr. Louie to many of your kids. I've been learning as much as possible about music since I was about 6 years old. My family and friends have always shared great music with me, and since 2007 my baritone ukulele and I have been passing along some of our favorite songs to the next generation of rock stars. Every class is different, but we usually do 3 main things: SING, LISTEN, and DANCE. From these 3 starting points we can go to a lot of different songs that can help young people learn about their senses and emotions, how to be a good audience, how to think creatively, and to be in the moment! I feel blessed to be able to share my life's work with your children. Please read on for more info about me and what to expect from my music circles.
Mr Louie's Preschool Repertoire ...
ABCs - Learn them and sing along!
Twinkle Twinkle - Quiet and gentle can be fun!
Itsy Bitsy Spider - Is it raining? Did it rain last week?
If You're Happy and You Know it ...
This Old Man - A counting song!
The Wheels on the Bus ... Also wipers, horn, doors, etc. Let's make up some new ones!
Had a Little Rooster - Also Dogs, Cows, Cats, Dinosaurs, Owls, Frogs, Snakes, Unicorns...
There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea - Listen first, and when you start to learn the words sing along!
Puff the Magic Dragon - Playing make believe is fun! Also, what do these words mean: Frolic, Autumn, Mist
Swingin' on a Star - I learned this song when I was in first grade! Back in the old timey days, people had funny songs to teach kids manners!
DANCING TIME:
Shake the Sillies out! Also clap, jump, jog and yawn!
C'mon Everybody Clap Your hands!
The Hokey Pokey
Robot Parade
The Freeze
SONGS FROM OUR FAVORITE MOVIES!
Let it Go (from Frozen)
How Far I'll Go (From Moana)
Do Re Mi (from The Sound of Music)
Rainbow Connection (from The Muppet Movie)
ROCK AND ROLL! (It's not just for grownups!)
Johnny B. Goode
Yellow Submarine
Three Little Birds
Don't Worry Be Happy
Coming soon...HOLIDAY FAVORITES
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman
Jingle Bells
